News Summary

• Women-led startups have averaged just 2.4% of total venture funding.
• Studies have found that female founders often receive 14% less funding than male founders for the exact same pitch.
• The typical “founder image’ they’re used to?
• White, thin, male, hoodie-wearing, and straight out of Stanford.
• If you don’t match that mental mold, you’ve got an uphill battle before you even open your pitch deck.
• For plus size women, the challenges are doubled.
• You’ll leave this read feeling clearer, bolder, and way more equipped to advocate, invest, and show up in a space that’s long overdue for its moment.