Tasneem Dohadwala, Founding Partner of Excelestar Ventures, discusses barriers for women in venture capital, bias, risk perception, lack of opportunities, challenges faced by women in the VC industry, and the need for breaking down barriers in healthcare and medical devices.
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Quick takeaways
Female founders secure only 2% of venture capital in the US due to biases and preferences in the industry.
Women face challenges in building networks and adapting pitching strategies to resonate with male investors.
Deep dives
The Lack of Female-Founded Startups
According to research firm PitchBook, in 2021, female founders secured only 2% of venture capital in the US. This indicates a systemic issue in the industry. Factors such as a lack of women decision-makers in VC firms and biases in funding preferences contribute to the underrepresentation of female-led companies.
Biases in Investment and Evaluations
Female-founded startups face biases in investment decisions and evaluation processes. Investors tend to invest in experienced entrepreneurs with prior exits, which disproportionately benefits male entrepreneurs. Additionally, the way questions are asked during pitches can differ for women, focusing more on risk mitigation rather than growth potential, which affects the perception of their companies.
Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs
Women face challenges in building networks, assertiveness, and market appeal when starting businesses. Limited networks and the absence of proactive requests for introductions hinder the opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Moreover, there is a need for awareness of biases and adjustments in pitching strategies to resonate with male investors. The lack of research and investment opportunities in specific areas, such as women's health, further compound the challenges women face.
Tasneem Dohadwala, Founding Partner of Excelestar Ventures, discusses what female founders should know heading into the venture capital pitch room and where the industry could use some revision. Hosts: Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. Producer: Paul Brennan.