What does it take to grow women in business? What's missing?
In honor of Women's Day, we've reached out to some female founders and investors within our community to share their insights on fostering women's growth in business and identifying what is lacking to reach this goal.
Let's amplify their voices and celebrate their contribution:
“Growing women in business requires a multifaceted approach mainly focused on the world inequalities and geography. But I truly believe that increasing the visibility and representation of successful women in business through media, conferences, and industry events and highlighting diverse role models can really inspire and empower other women to pursue successful business careers.
More mentorship programs that pair aspiring business women with experienced business leaders who certainly provide guidance, advice, and encourage women to pursue business and leadership roles. And this has to begin in the early stages of the education curricula.”
Clara Gonçalves
Co-founder & COO at Inductiva Research Labs
"In the pursuit of fostering an inclusive and diverse business landscape, it's imperative to address the critical question: What does it take to grow women in business? As the founder and CEO of a tech company, I've navigated through various challenges and opportunities, and it's clear to me that empowering women in business requires a multifaceted approach.
First and foremost, it's essential to cultivate a supportive ecosystem that fosters women's leadership and entrepreneurship. This begins with dismantling systemic barriers and biases that hinder women's progress in the corporate world. Companies must implement policies and practices that promote gender diversity at all levels, from recruitment to leadership positions.
Additionally, it's essential to provide equal access to funding, leadership opportunities, mentorship and networking programs tailored to women can provide invaluable support and guidance, helping them navigate the complexities of the business world and advance in their careers.
However, despite progress in recent years, there are still significant gaps that need to be addressed. One glaring issue is the underrepresentation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). To bridge this gap, we must start early by encouraging girls to pursue careers in STEM through education and mentorship programs. Additionally, addressing work-life balance challenges, such as affordable childcare and flexible work arrangements, can help women juggle their professional and personal responsibilities more effectively.
In conclusion, growing women in business requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including businesses, policymakers, investors, and society as a whole.
To overcome these barriers, women must lead the way, demonstrating their leadership qualities and inspiring others to follow in our footsteps. By becoming mentors and role models for other women, advocating for gender equality, challenging biases, and creating opportunities for women to succeed, we can drive meaningful change and unlock the full potential of women in business."
CEO at AssetFloow
1) Take risks. There is a saying in england " Go big or go home". Do not be afraid to go for what you want, to step outside your comfort zone. Shift the narrative from "Why me?" to "Why not me?". If you do not trust yourself, no one will for you.
2.) Look for mentors and sponsors, mentor and sponsor others. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the network effect. Start by learning from the success and failures of others to gather critical insights, and then support others that are at the beginning of their journey. Others supported you at the beginning, do the same :) ( + You always learn from others)
3) Continuously build your network. Bourdieu saw social capital as benefits derived from social networks. Some of us do not have from the get go these connections, so go out there and make them happen for yourself :sorriso_pequeno: Go to events, seek advice from your mentors, take on new roles.
4) Never stop learning
Co-founder at No Impunity
Fostering women's growth in business requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both internal barriers and external support systems. One crucial aspect is challenging the prevailing self-notion that entrepreneurship, particularly in male-dominated sectors, is not suited for us: that is a culture we won’t fit in or that it will take too much away from us. Encouraging women to take the plunge by showcasing successful female entrepreneurs as role models is essential.
Making women entrepreneurs more accessible – for example through networking events for aspiring women entrepreneurs and more established ones – can also help to provide encouragement. Above all, we need to share that entrepreneurship is about drive, resilience, and ambition, and not about where we came from or our personality traits (if we’re shy or gregarious, rational or emotional, a head-over-heels romantic or an inveterate bachelor). Also we are not perfect, we’re human. We have our struggles and make mistakes one time or the other, just like any male entrepreneur.
Nevertheless it is undeniable that the venture capital environment is still male-dominated. For instance, there is research that shows that women entrepreneurs get different questions by VCs when compared to their male entrepreneurs, which ends up affecting the success rate in getting access to capital. We need to fuel women to take the leap, also in joining VC and investment funds. Networking and finding mentors or a group of likeminded women to look up to is a powerful tool to share the informal knowledge about raising investment and launching a start-up. You can read it in books, but you’ll really only grasp it when talking to people who have experienced it themselves.
Co-Founder & CTO at Microharvest
“For there to be an increase in the number of women in business, it will be necessary to start nurturing creativity earlier, integrate the topic among younger generations, and support women in programs that look at women as a whole. Being a woman in business means having someone within the company with unique skills, someone resilient and multifaceted, which are fascinating skills to have running or in management positions inside a company.
For this to happen, society must look at women as people with the same values as men. This needs to change: a culture in terms of gender equality, a culture that is very formatted and focused on men leading businesses. This is a concept that needs to change urgently.”
CGO at Splink
“I strongly believe that to empower women to take leadership roles in businesses, we need to: 1. raise awareness about women's skills and importance within the business ecosystem; 2. provide life-long entrepreneurial learning; and 3. improve access to financing for women.
I believe we need to move above and beyond the thinking that leadership and success have gender.
We absolutely need more women in leadership positions. Most importantly, we need leaders who are role models, mentors, and financial support in building new businesses.
Foster core values such as authenticity and vulnerability within leadership roles, despite the gender.
And always, always, always remember that everyday is our day, we are our values. “
CEO and Founder at Didimo
“Finding a way to demonstrate to women that it's possible! Everything a man does, we women can do too! There's a deep-rooted taboo in society that ends up contaminating us, women, and undermining our self-confidence. In the world of IT, female presence is still rare due to entrenched beliefs that it's an exclusive domain for men. It's up to us, from this generation, to debunk this taboo and pave the way for future generations.”
Co-founder & Head of Marketing at sheerME
“Delving into the topic of fostering women in business is like navigating a rich tapestry of social, economic, and political discourse. It's a subject that I relish discussing, especially considering its profound implications for society and being a mother of two teenage girls. At the heart of it all, I believe what's truly needed is a systemic change, starting from within through education. Personally, I am a True Believer of meritocracy, irrespective of gender, geography, or age.
Let's celebrate the differences and the invaluable contributions they bring to the table. Here's to embracing diversity and nurturing a culture of inclusivity in the business world and beyond!”
Impact Investor at 3XP Global