Published on: June 6, 2013 – 11:00 am
Sure, the dismal statistics on how many female founders are funded by VCs may be down to how few women entrepreneurs ask for meetings, but that’s no excuse, writes Kat Gordon.
By Jessica Stillman (Editor, Women 2.0)
The statistics on the amount of VC money flowing to women-led businesses are well publicized and pretty dismal — female founders get under 5% of funding. Possible reasons for this gap are trotted out just as regularly.
Chief among them: women don’t ask at anywhere near the rate of men. Take VC George Zachary’s response to a question about the low proportion of women getting funded at a Fireside Chat at Startup Grind in February, for example: “I see female founders one out of 20 times,” he said, adding, “I don’t care if the person’s male or female–I seek a founder living out a passion.” Read More »
Published on: May 22, 2013 – 9:00 am
A female programmer who worked in tech in the 80s talks about what has changed, and what younger female technologists can do about the sexism that persists.
By Jessica Stillman (Editor, Women 2.0)
Compared with farming or carpentry, computer science may be a fairly young field, but women entering tech careers today can still benefit from the wisdom of at least a few generations of women that have come up before them. What did these older generations experience, what has changed, and what wisdom can they offer younger women?
Those the questions tackled in a recent New York Times Sunday Review column by Ellen Ullman, a former software engineer and the author of the memoir Close to the Machine. Read More »
Published on: May 13, 2013 – 12:14 pm
What goes into a winning pitch? An infographic explains exactly how to craft the perfect pitch.
By Rachel Lehmann-Haupt (Editor, Women 2.0)
A winning pitch deck is made up of many different parts that complement each other perfectly. This infographic, presented by InvestorPitches.com, will teach you how to include all the pieces you need, and none that you don’t. Read More »
Published on: May 6, 2013 – 6:00 am
A VC who is a veteran of hundreds of board meetings explains how to make sure yours aren’t a waste of time.
By Rachel Pike (Senior Associate, Draper Fisher Jurvetson)
A great VC is four things: a fundraiser, a manager, a deal-spotter, and a board member. At DFJ we learn by doing. As part of my training for role #4, I’ve been to almost two hundred board meetings. Some were productive and energetic, and some were a waste of time. What was the difference?
I’ve spent the last few months gathering data from meetings I’ve been to, fellow board members, CEOs, and my partners. Here are some suggestions from the best of the best. Read More »
Published on: May 3, 2013 – 9:00 am
Founder Institute CEO Adeo Ressi shares his thoughts on the recent changes in the funding landscape, and the risks he sees for the future.
by Adeo Ressi (Founder & CEO, Founder Institute & TheFunded.com)
Since 2008, I believe there has been more innovation in the field of funding entrepreneurs than in any other short period in history. Recently, I have been asked by many entrepreneurs, investors, and journalists to provide my thoughts on the last five years, and on where we are headed in the future. Here’s my opinion.
Read More »
Published on: May 1, 2013 – 7:00 am
Accelerators are plentiful. Seed stage funding, not so much, writes the founder of Canopi.me, which means a slow and agonizing death for many startups.
By Erin Flynn (Co-Founder, Canopi.me)
After twiddling my thumbs for quite some time, in other words reading blogs and drinking abnormal amounts of coffee, I was finally inspired to write about what has been weighing on my mind for quite some time now. Fundraising is hard. Period. Fundraising as a woman in a women-driven market is even harder. I’m not going to preach around the difficulties of how hard it is to fundraise. I’m pretty sure that boat has sailed. Instead, I’d like to preach on the problem that seems to be somewhat silent. This problem that is otherwise known as the “big ass HOLE.” Read More »
Published on: April 23, 2013 – 9:30 am
The OATV associate has offered to field questions from founders. What would you like to ask her?
By Jessica Stillman (Editor, Women 2.0)
Have a question about etiquette? Dear Abby has you covered. Need some advice on how to behave in the bedroom? Dr. Ruth should be able to enlighten you. But if you’re a startup founder with a specific question about fundraising, pitching or managing your business — where can you turn for advice?
Women 2.0 hope to provide some answers with the help of VC Renee DiResta, an associate at seed-stage investor O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures who has kindly offered to field queries from our community. Now all we need are some questions. Read More »
Published on: April 22, 2013 – 6:00 am
The more money you raise the greater the chance of your startup being successful, right? Nope, says VC Cindy Padnos, who warns that too much funding can actually be bad for your fledgling business.
By Cindy Padnos (Founder & Managing Partner, Illuminate Ventures)
Which do you think is a better predictor of your company’s future? To have such a great concept that investors throw $400 million at you to bring it to life? Or to face enough skepticism that you can squeeze out just $9 million over multiple rounds of funding?
Okay, you knew it was a trick question, but the facts are pretty surprising. History shows that capital efficiency — raising no more than you need — has been a better indicator of success than capital access. Read More »
Published on: April 18, 2013 – 6:00 am
RocksBox founder Meaghan Rose shares what she’s learned from the challenges and triumphs she experienced fundraising while being a woman.
By Meaghan Rose (Founder & CEO, RocksBox)
It’s not the same. It just isn’t. Fundraising for your startup is going to be harder for you than a male counterpart with the same business. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way that can help you succeed despite the challenges. Read More »
Published on: April 16, 2013 – 7:00 am
As gatekeepers of venture capital, where are the women in venture capital who blog?
By Angie Chang (Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Women 2.0)
Thought leadership in technology, entrepreneurship and business is established by blogging and tweeting. Unfortunately, the blog rolls of venture capitalists are filled with mostly, well, men ranging from the partners at Andreesseen Horowitz, Y Combinator, and the pundits at TechCrunch… but where are the women? Read More »
