The startup ecosystem of today is not the male-dominated environment it was in the 20th century. While we are still working towards true gender equity, we see that more enterprising women have not just emerged but thrived in today’s startup sphere. 

In recent years, a visible trend among this is where top trending startups have become increasingly favourable towards female entrepreneurs. There are several reasons for this:

Having a Gender-Balanced Team

It has been found that female entrepreneurs tend to hire more gender-balanced teams. Having a gender-balanced team is beneficial for startups in several ways:

1. Diverse perspectives: When a startup has a gender-balanced team, it benefits from a diverse range of perspectives. Men and women often bring different life experiences and perspectives to the table, which can lead to more creative ideas and better problem-solving. This can help a startup better understand and serve its customers, which is crucial for success.
2. Improved decision-making: Research has shown that gender-balanced teams tend to make better decisions. This is because having diverse perspectives can lead to a more comprehensive analysis of a problem and more robust decision-making processes.
3. Better understanding of customer needs: Having a gender-balanced team can help a startup better understand the needs of its customers, who are often equally split between men and women. This can lead to better product development and marketing strategies that resonate with a wider audience.
4. Attracting and retaining talent: A gender-balanced team can help attract and retain top talent, including both men and women. This is because a diverse team is often more attractive to candidates who value inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.
5. Enhanced brand image: A gender-balanced team can enhance a startup’s brand image and reputation. This can attract customers and investors who are looking for socially responsible and diverse organisations to support.

Overall, having a gender-balanced team is not only the right thing to do, but it can also provide a startup with a competitive advantage. By creating an inclusive and diverse environment, startups can improve decision-making, better understand their customers, and attract and retain top talent.

Addressing the Gender Gap

Startups are addressing the gender gap in entrepreneurship in several ways:

1. Providing mentorship and support programs: Many startups are providing mentorship and support programs specifically targeted at female entrepreneurs. These programs can include workshops, coaching, and networking opportunities to help women gain the skills and resources they need to succeed.
2. Encouraging investment in female-led startups: Startups are encouraging investment in female-led startups by creating fundraising opportunities specifically targeted at women. This can include seed funding, venture capital, and angel investment opportunities.
3. Creating incubators and accelerators: Startups are creating incubators and accelerators that are focused on supporting female-led startups. These programs can provide funding, resources, and mentorship to help women overcome the unique challenges they face when starting a business.
4. Addressing biases in the workplace: Startups are working to address biases in the workplace that can prevent women from succeeding. This can include providing unconscious bias training to employees, implementing policies that promote gender equality, and creating an inclusive company culture.
5. Highlighting successful female entrepreneurs: Startups are highlighting successful female entrepreneurs to inspire and encourage more women to start their own businesses. This can include sharing stories of successful women entrepreneurs, hosting events that feature female speakers, and promoting the achievements of female-led startups.

All this culminates in creating an environment in which there are fewer gender issues and biases, as well as encouragement of the next generation of aspirational female entrepreneurs 

Leading the Way

Female entrepreneurs are leading the way in the startup world in several ways:

1. Breaking barriers: Female entrepreneurs are breaking barriers and challenging traditional gender roles by starting their own businesses. They are proving that women can be successful entrepreneurs and leaders in their own right.
2. Creating innovative businesses: Female entrepreneurs are creating innovative businesses that are disrupting traditional industries and creating new markets. They are bringing fresh perspectives and new ideas to the table, which is driving innovation and growth in the startup ecosystem.
3. Providing role models: Female entrepreneurs are providing role models for other women who are interested in starting their own businesses. They are showing that success is possible, and that women can be successful entrepreneurs in any industry.
4. Building networks: Female entrepreneurs are building networks of other women entrepreneurs and mentors, creating a supportive community that can help them overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
5. Advocating for gender equality: Female entrepreneurs are advocating for gender equality in the workplace and in the startup ecosystem. They are pushing for policies and practices that promote inclusivity and diversity, which can benefit everyone in the industry.

The success of female entrepreneurs is inspiring other women to follow in their footsteps. By seeing other women succeed, they are more likely to believe in themselves and their ability to start their own businesses. They are also more likely to seek out support and resources that can help them achieve their goals.

Female entrepreneurs are also working to create more opportunities for women in the startup world. By advocating for gender equality, building networks, and providing mentorship and support to other women, they are creating a more inclusive and diverse startup ecosystem that benefits everyone.

Top Trending Female-led Startups

Some specific examples of top trending startups that are favourable towards female entrepreneurs include:

• The Wing: The Wing is a women-focused co-working and community space founded by Audrey Gelman and Lauren Kassan in 2016. It offers a range of services and amenities, including private offices, meeting rooms, events, and a women-only social club. The company has raised over $117 million in funding and has expanded to multiple locations across the US and UK.
• Rent the Runway: Rent the Runway is an online service that allows women to rent designer dresses and accessories for special occasions. It was founded by Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss in 2009 and has since expanded to include a subscription service for everyday wear. The company has raised over $190 million in funding and has been valued at over $1 billion.
• Bumble: Bumble is a dating app that was founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014. It requires women to make the first move when matching with potential partners, which has helped to create a safer and more respectful online dating experience for women. The company has since expanded to include a social networking platform and a business networking platform. Bumble went public in 2021 and has a market cap of over $7 billion.
• Maven Clinic: Maven Clinic is a telemedicine platform founded by Katherine Ryder in 2014 that connects women with healthcare providers for a range of services, including fertility, pregnancy, and mental health. It also offers support and resources for working mothers, including coaching and parental leave planning. The company has raised over $90 million in funding and has been valued at over $1 billion.
• The Riveter: The Riveter is a co-working and community space founded by Amy Nelson in 2017 that is focused on creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace for women. It offers a range of services and amenities, including private offices, events, and a women-only social club. The company has raised over $20 million in funding and has expanded to multiple locations across the US.

Overall, the startup industry is becoming more welcoming to female entrepreneurs, and this trend is likely to continue in the future.

At EquityMatch.co, we are a highly gender-balanced team, and we understand the perspectives and aspirations of female entrepreneurs. Our portfolio includes female entrepreneurs and female investors from around the globe, and if you attend one of our events, you will see that gender diversity is one of our key values.

If you are a budding female entrepreneur looking to make waves in the market, contact EquityMatch.co today and become a member!