Why it’s time to flip the script on flashy and aesthetic pitches

Within the global startup ecosystem, a glaring gender gap persists, starkly highlighted by the sharp decline in venture capital funding for women-led businesses. Since 2020, the proportion of funding allocated to these enterprises has plummeted to just 3%. Despite women founding 22% of startups, a meagre 0.7% of the total funding in FY22 was channelled to companies solely established by women. This imbalance not only reflects an ingrained bias but also signifies a missed economic opportunity. Achieving gender equality in business could add a staggering $2.88 trillion to the global economy. Investing in women is not about charity; it’s about smart business. 

The exclusion of women from the startup world extends beyond the opaque deal-making in rooms they are seldom invited to.