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<p>Here’s the truth: women are starting businesses faster than ever before — and we’re damn good at it. But when it comes to funding, the numbers are stacked against us.</p><p>💡 Fact: Companies with female founders deliver 63% better returns than all-male founding teams.<br>💡 Also fact: Less than 10% of venture capital funding goes to women.</p><p>Make it make sense.</p><figure id="figure-3rfli3oqfrmfonfkb1"><img id="3rfli3oqfrmfonfkb1" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1488018196/photo/three-modern-mature-women-smiling-while-leaning-on-the-wall-in-office.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=U3h11DmanZqj6b9hh9_Y5UBQCKXCSkQ5dxr1MuM5dis=" alt="Three modern mature women smiling while leaning on the wall in office" title="Three modern mature women smiling while leaning on the wall in office" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="medium" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>The Good</h3><p><br>The surge of women entering entrepreneurship is inspiring. From tech startups to service-based businesses, women are proving we don’t just deserve a seat at the table — we’re building new tables entirely. We’re out here disrupting industries, building scalable businesses, and generating real results.</p><h3>The Bad</h3><p><br>Despite the performance, the funding gap is real. Many investors still see women as “riskier bets,” and the moment you add a male co-founder, suddenly the checks get bigger. (Annoying? Yes. A reason to quit? Absolutely not.) This bias means you’ll likely face more rejection than your male counterparts. It’s not about you — it’s about outdated thinking.</p><h3>The Opportunity</h3><figure id="figure-hwx7g794uomfondpuj"><img id="hwx7g794uomfondpuj" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1415703640/photo/chinese-adult-woman-person-standing-with-ideas-in-shadow-contemplation-mindfulness-in-urban.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=0NjZLciI_KQxpZ_JdjzDLW-2_mdUo72jDMoZUkKFJWA=" alt="adult woman person standing with ideas in shadow contemplation mindfulness in urban Hong Kong city reflection with nature trees, waist up, rear view, behind, multi-layered effect, composite image," title="adult woman person standing with ideas in shadow contemplation mindfulness in urban Hong Kong city reflection with nature trees, waist up, rear view, behind, multi-layered effect, composite image," class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="medium" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1415703640/photo/chinese-adult-woman-person-standing-with-ideas-in-shadow-contemplation-mindfulness-in-urban.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=0NjZLciI_KQxpZ_JdjzDLW-2_mdUo72jDMoZUkKFJWA=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><p><br>Here’s where it gets good again: investors are finally catching on. Female-focused funds like Female Founders Fund, Golden Seeds, and BBG Ventures are stepping up. Angel investors are more open to women-led companies than traditional VCs. Crowdfunding platforms are giving founders direct access to supporters who believe in their vision. And every year, more women step into the role of investor themselves — which changes the game for all of us.</p><h3>What This Means for You</h3><p><br>Know the stats. Walk into every pitch ready to remind investors that women-led startups outperform. They can’t argue with data.<br>Find your people. Target investors who have a track record of backing women. Don’t waste time convincing dinosaurs who are stuck in the past.<br>Stay resilient. Every “no” brings you closer to the right “yes.” Your vision is bigger than their bias.<br>Play the long game. Funding is tough, but the payoff isn’t just money — it’s freedom. Freedom to grow your business, scale your vision, and prove the numbers right.<br>&nbsp;<br>✨ Bottom line: The funding game is still unfair, but women founders are proving every day that we can do more with less — and investors who ignore that are missing out. Don’t let the numbers discourage you. Let them fuel you.</p>

The Good, The Bad, and The Underfunded: Why Women Founders Get Less but Deliver More

<p>Let’s be real: gender bias in business is about as common as bad coffee at a conference. You’ll face it, you’ll roll your eyes at it, and sometimes, you’ll even flip it on its head. The key isn’t pretending bias doesn’t exist — it’s learning how to navigate it without letting it crush your confidence.</p><figure id="figure-wr6szx98hemfonnwz1"><img id="wr6szx98hemfonnwz1" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1307806588/photo/woman-made-word-bias-with-wooden-blocks.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Nn1nL7d7es95myDpZI6uxv2UFodazOq0ImxmMrDtH9k=" alt="woman made word BIAS with wooden blocks" title="woman made word BIAS with wooden blocks" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="medium" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1307806588/photo/woman-made-word-bias-with-wooden-blocks.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=Nn1nL7d7es95myDpZI6uxv2UFodazOq0ImxmMrDtH9k=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Gender Bias: The Uninvited Guest</h3><p><br>Bias shows up in boardrooms, investor meetings, and even casual networking events. Too “soft,” too “emotional,” too “aggressive” — women hear it all. The problem isn’t you; the problem is the outdated stereotypes that refuse to die.</p><h3>Enter Gender Judo</h3><p><br>Here’s the move: instead of letting stereotypes box you in, use them to your advantage.</p><p>“Too soft”? Reframe it as empathy and emotional intelligence — skills that build strong teams and loyal customers.<br>“Too aggressive”? Call it passion and relentless drive. Investors love founders who won’t quit.<br>It’s not about playing small; it’s about being strategic. Think of it as mental martial arts — using their own expectations against them.</p><figure id="figure-v7a4m8f88rmfonose2"><img id="v7a4m8f88rmfonose2" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2230232021/photo/businesswomen-about-to-sit-and-have-a-meeting-inside-of-the-glass-office.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=VpMF4bGrRVcr986fuGuMbplM6WSFXdhjko5h4M5QIPU=" alt="Businesswomen about to sit and have a meeting inside of the glass office" title="Businesswomen about to sit and have a meeting inside of the glass office" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="medium" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>Build Your Own Table</h3><p><br>If you’re tired of waiting for a seat at the table, build your own. Surround yourself with women who have been through the trenches and will tell you the truth (not just what you want to hear). A strong squad is better than a room full of “yes” people any day.</p><h3>Learn from the Trailblazers</h3><p><br>Look at women like:</p><p>Melanie Perkins (Canva) — turned graphic design into a tool everyone can use.<br>Katrina Lake (Stitch Fix) — disrupted retail with a subscription model.<br>Emily Weiss (Glossier) — built a billion-dollar beauty brand from a blog.<br>They didn’t wait for permission. They took the punches, kept swinging, and built empires.</p><h3>What This Means for You</h3><p><br>Don’t internalize the bias. It’s not a reflection of your ability.<br>Use stereotypes as fuel. Reframe them to your advantage.<br>Find your squad. Build networks that lift you up and give you honest feedback.<br>Stay visible. The more we show up, the harder it is for anyone to ignore us.<br>&nbsp;<br>✨ Bottom line: Bias is real, but it’s not unbeatable. The more you embrace your strengths, surround yourself with the right people, and keep showing up, the more you prove that women don’t just survive in business — we thrive.</p>

Rolling with the Punches: How Women Entrepreneurs Can Turn Bias into an Advantage

Sunshine, thinking and business woman in city with idea, brainstorming and career insights. Professional, low angle and person with inspiration for company future, urban development and opportunity

<p>Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. The hurdles are high, the rejection is constant, and the networking events? Half the time, they feel like speed dating with name tags. But here’s the deal: if you want to succeed, you’ve got to master two things — confidence and connection.</p><figure id="figure-mqgc16qtykmfoocn1v"><img id="mqgc16qtykmfoocn1v" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2221842723/photo/young-businesswoman-in-front-of-whiteboard-making-presentation-to-colleagues-around-table-in.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=AP6_TaGdp8KenLbFGOxuuaU3_kn4In8XqSd6eF5zb-w=" alt="Young Businesswoman In Front Of Whiteboard Making Presentation To Colleagues Around Table In Office" title="Young Businesswoman In Front Of Whiteboard Making Presentation To Colleagues Around Table In Office" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2221842723/photo/young-businesswoman-in-front-of-whiteboard-making-presentation-to-colleagues-around-table-in.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=AP6_TaGdp8KenLbFGOxuuaU3_kn4In8XqSd6eF5zb-w=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Own the Room Before You Even Speak</h3><p><br>Your presence matters. Investors, partners, even potential customers will read your confidence before they ever hear your pitch. That means:</p><p>Power stance. Stand tall, shoulders back.<br>Firm handshake. Not a limp fish, not a bone-crusher.<br>Eye contact. Show them you mean business.<br>Confidence is contagious. If you believe in your idea, others will, too.</p><h3>Kill the Limiting Beliefs</h3><p><br>So many women grow up learning to survive instead of thrive. Forget that. Limiting beliefs don’t serve you, never have, never will. Replace “I hope they like my idea” with “They’re lucky I’m giving them the chance to invest.” Straighten your crown, silence the inner critic, and move forward like the badass founder you are.</p><figure id="figure-ry3nbjmufemfoodoym"><img id="ry3nbjmufemfoodoym" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2004490148/photo/unhappy-overwhelmed-business-woman-looking-at-dashboard.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=tG8Gv50T6qiAhkvUP5qpj4sCIz8J_d5CxeQfnKjXC2A=" alt="Unhappy Overwhelmed Business Woman Looking At Dashboard" title="Unhappy Overwhelmed Business Woman Looking At Dashboard" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>Come Prepared with Data</h3><p><br>Confidence isn’t just about attitude — it’s about facts. Show up with your numbers tight: market size, customer demand, traction, projections. The more evidence you bring, the harder it is for anyone to dismiss you. Think of it as showing up to a pillow fight with a steel shield.</p><h3>Network with Intention</h3><p><br>Networking is not about collecting business cards like Pokémon. It’s about building real connections that matter.</p><p>Give before you ask. Offer advice, introductions, or support.<br>Quality over quantity. Three strong contacts are worth more than twenty weak ones.<br>Do your homework. Show up to the right rooms, not just any room.<br>Learn from the Hustlers Who Came Before You<br>Jamie Kern Lima, founder of IT Cosmetics, faced rejection after rejection before landing her big break on QVC — and eventually selling to L’Oréal for $1.2 billion. She didn’t let the “no’s” stop her. She kept pushing, kept pitching, and kept believing in her vision. That’s hustle.</p><h3>What This Means for You</h3><p><br>Walk into every room like you belong there (because you do).<br>Keep your numbers and story sharp — confidence backed by data is unstoppable.<br>Build genuine relationships, not just contacts.<br>Don’t quit at “no.” Your “yes” is coming.</p>

Smart Girls Say the F-Word

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The Good, The Bad, and The Underfunded: Why Women Founder...

Rolling with the Punches: How Women Entrepreneurs Can Tur...

The Art of the Hustle: Building Confidence and Connection...