SHEQONOMI’s Post

🌼 March 8th marks International Women's Day, which is not a 'celebration' but an opportunity to both recognize the progress made in advancing women's rights, and bring attention to the inequalities that still persist.  This year, the United Nations’ International Women’s Day theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ emphasizes the critical need for gender equality and underscores the untapped potential in supporting women entrepreneurs and leaders in technology and innovation. In the last 10 years, the share of #venturecapital investment raised by women in Europe has doubled. The number of women-founded unicorns has increased 10x. And there are also more than 600 European venture funds with women amongst their partnership.* There has been a gradual improvement. But the #tech industry still sees a massive underrepresentation of women, with significant gaps in leadership roles, access to venture capital, and growth opportunities. The imbalance is not only reflected in the #startup ecosystem but also in the broader STEM fields, where women’s contributions are crucial yet often overlooked. The theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ urges collective action to empower women by ensuring they have equal access to funding, resources, and support. It aims to foster a more diverse, inclusive, and innovative future, acknowledging the essential role of #women in advancing technological and societal progress. Let’s continue to advocate for women's rights and work toward what needs to be a common goal — every day and not just on March 8th. * Data from Dealroom.co’s deep dive on women-founded startups: https://lnkd.in/dmZng2su If you want to learn more about female entrepreneurship and gender representation across funds in the European ecosystem, Female Foundry’s State of Gender Diversity in European Venture is a must-read: https://lnkd.in/eBErKDFH cc Giulia Giovannini Sara Lovato Elena Di Maio Martina Canarelli Giulia Margstahler

🌟 Inspiring Inclusion with Alice Chidam’modzi, Our Research Officer! 🌟 For me inspiring inclusion means making more investments in women to accelerate progress. Investing in women is not just an economic strategy; it's an investment for a progressive society. #IWD2024 #InspireInclusion #EDFWomen

Happy International Women's Day! 🎉   This year, the United Nations has selected the following theme for #iwd2024 "Invest in women: Accelerate progress". Yes, yes and yes, it all starts with the money. I am privileged to be part of this story, by co-founding of a women led business that invests in women's health companies, most of which are founded by women.    That said for women in VC, the future of gender equality is slow. The good news is that there is hope with the rise in meaningful DEI policies in VC firms. Within the US VC landscape, women make up 26% of the investment professionals in these firms, however among the investment partners (those that make the investment decisions) only 19% are women. This is up from prior years but still not good enough…    The gains for women in VC unfortunately hasn't yet seen impact on investing in female founded ventures. Companies founded solely by women only received 2% of US VC capital in 2023—a level that hasn't really changed since 2008. Very scary...    My whole career I have worked in male dominated sectors and I use that to my advantage, I stand out, my voice is heard. I am passionate about women in STEM, women in VC, women leaders and women supporting women. I am proud to part of the movement to improve these statistics in investing in women and remain optimistic for the future. We need to open on our eyes to see the opportunities rather that just focusing on the risks so we can drive more success stories for women founders and women in venture.  Thank you to all the amazing women in my network, you are all incredible.    #internationalwomensday, #investinginwomen, Cross-Border Impact Ventures

As we kick off an important week for women with International Women’s Day this Friday, I’d like to shine the light on some stark facts around Female founder led businesses; ⭐️Less than 3% of venture capital funding goes to women founders ( HBR) ⭐️Despite this, data shows that women owned start ups deliver twice as much per dollar invested as those founded by men ( BCG) ⭐️On top of this, women led businesses have higher environmental, social and governance scores compared to other companies ( European Women in VC) ⭐️If VCs invested in women founders at the same rate they invest in men founders, the global economy could be boosted by 3-6%, up to £3.9trillion GBP ( $5 trillion dollars), according to BCG Surely its time for this to change. There has been some positive news recently with Emma Sinclair MBE launching her #bemyangel initiative and the governments plans to overturn its regulations on angel investing which would have negatively impacted women investors but its not enough. I’m taking part in several women’s founders events this week to meet, collaborate and join forces with likeminded entrepreneurial women. Lets celebrate women this week and beyond and pull together to champion change here, not just for gender equality but for economic growth! 💰 #femalefounders #womenentrepreneurs #iwd2024 #femalefoundersrise

Sparking Change this Women's Day: Dare to Invest in Women! 💪 It's time to chat about something game-changing – investing in women. And I don't mean launching a Kickstarter for every incredible lady out there (though, let's be honest, they’d break the internet!). I’m talking about real, meaningful support for the powerhouse that is womankind. Did you know? When you invest in women, it’s like hitting the jackpot in the economic casino. Women are not just the queens of multitasking (though they could probably plan a conference call while scaling Everest), they’re innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders. They’re the secret sauce in the recipe for global progress! But here's the kicker: Investing in women isn't just a victory lap for gender equality. It's about sparking a wildfire of growth and success. When women thrive, it’s not just a win for them; it’s a win for families, communities, and entire economies. It's a win for all of us. Picture this: A world where every woman's 'Let me try' turns into everyone’s 'She did it!'. That's the world we inch closer to with each investment in women's dreams, talents, and ambitions. So, here's a shout-out to all the women – the visionaries, the go-getters, the caregivers, and the everyday heroes. Your resilience, wisdom, and grace are what keep the world turning. And to everyone tuning in: Let’s do more than just give a round of applause today. Let’s be the investors, the believers, the cheerleaders. Because investing in women isn't just a good deed for the day; it's a powerhouse move for a better tomorrow. Let’s make progress rocket, not just run! 🚀 #InternationalWomensDay #PowerhouseWomen #InvestInHer #GlobalProgress #EconomicRevolution #ShapingTheFuture #WomenLeadTheWay

When women are invited to the table great things happen Did you know only 37% entrepreneurs are women? I am sure you have realised by now that today is International Women's Day. The first International Women's Day (IWD) was held in March 1911 and is a day of collective global activism and celebration of women worldwide who are working hard to foster change and progress women's equality. As IWD say on their website 'When women aren't present, we must ask: "If not, why not?' We are proud of being an all female team at Elite in a Week and are big advocates of women in business. It is reported that lack of support is the biggest reason why women don't venture down the entrepreneurial route. So let's make sure we are supporting and encouraging the females around us to chase their dreams and set up that business they have been contemplating. Things are changing but we are not there yet. Natalie Murray Sarah Wood Suzanne Kentish Rebecca Chamberlain Charlotte Howell #InspireInclusion #IWD2024 #InternationalWomensDay2024

🌸 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women around the world. It's a day to honour the progress made, acknowledge the work ahead, and amplify the voices of women in every corner of the globe. Let's continue championing equality, breaking barriers, and supporting each other to create a brighter, more inclusive future 🚀 #IWD2024 #internationalwomensday #empoweringwoman #financialplanning #financialadvice

"Happy International Women's Day! ♀️ Today, we celebrate the incredible contributions of women worldwide and reflect on the importance of empowering them. As we champion gender equality, it's vital to recognize women in business: Amplifying Voices: Venture capital funding provides a platform for female entrepreneurs to amplify their voices and turn their innovative ideas into reality. By investing in women-led startups, we not only support their growth but also increase their influence in traditionally male-dominated industries. Closing the Funding Gap: Despite progress, women still face significant barriers when it comes to accessing capital. Venture Capital Funding helps bridge the funding gap by providing women entrepreneurs with the financial resources they need to scale their businesses and compete on a level playing field. Yet, only TWO PERCENT, yes 2%, of VCP in the uk is assigned to female founders. £250 billion of value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men. Recent Government legislation recently passed and reversed the motion to increase the Angel Investor threshold from £100k per year to £170k per year, to even meet the requirements. It was reversed following a successful petition led by female founders and investors. Had this legislation stayed, it would have led to a estimated 69% less potential investors, unable to invest. GOOD news, but there still more to be done. Did you know, that in the North West, there wouldn't have been a single woman who would've met this new threshold? That is CRAZY to me. An entire region that would be eliminated from potential business opportunities and we're in 2024. Economic Empowerment: Empowering women economically is not just the right thing to do—it's also smart business. Studies show that companies with diverse leadership teams and inclusive cultures outperform their peers. By investing in women entrepreneurs, we unlock new opportunities for growth and prosperity. Generations to come: When we invest in women-led businesses, we send a powerful message to future generations of aspiring entrepreneurs. I for one, don't want to see next generation of children growing up hoping that their gender play a part in their potential career choices and business ventures, because true equality means having the freedom to pursue their passions and ambitions without limitations imposed by societal norms or expectations. This International Women's Day, I am committing to supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs around the world. You should too. #IWD2024 #EmpowerWomen #GenderEquality

I'd like to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in fintech who are breaking barriers and driving positive change in their industry. Individuals like Katie Gwyn-Williams, who has championed gender balance in speaker lineups, and Chantal Swainston, the founder of 'The Heard' amplifying women in fintech, serve as inspiring examples of proactive advocacy. Their efforts underscore the significant social impact that fintech can have, particularly in addressing barriers faced by women. Collaboration among women in finance is crucial, and I anticipate seeing more of it as opportunities continue to grow. These women are paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future. #Fintech #FinancialInclusion #WomenInFinance

Happy #InternationalWomensDay! This year's theme is "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." Let's celebrate women of the past who weren't championed for their contributions to the fabric and infrastructure of society. Let's give women today who are pushing the culture forward their flowers while they can still smell them. Let's go big by having more representation of women of all identities in media, business, and culture. There's no one way of being. Women should have the space and grace to be who they are fully. This will inspire and empower the next generation of women. Furthermore, if we want to truly invest in women and accelerate progress, they should get paid fairly and not encounter bias when seeking venture capital funding. Doubling down on this, Black women make up less than 10% of the US population but are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs. Despite this, they receive less than 1% of venture funding. Today is great, but we shouldn't only celebrate women today or this month. It should be all of the time. 🖊 Shine a light on some women who deserve their flowers now in the comments! Share how they've impacted you and the community. #IWD24 #representation #inclusion #equalpay #equalopportunity #media #culture #digitalstorytelling #DEI