We are facing a huge challenge in the world of startups and technology globally that not only crushes innovation, but also leaves billions of dollars on the table for each and every investor. I’ve analyzed thousands of startup submissions and discovered that many of the innovative products that have the potential to have a massive impact on this world through women and other people of color. Despite this, only 10% of global investment goes to women-led startups. And, as I’ve written before, investing for women of color is much more depressing.
In recent years, many investors have publicly committed to investing in more women founders, but the percentage of women founders funded has not changed. Even after the tech sector has been publicly scrutinized by the #MeToo movement, the amount of investment for varied startups is negligible.
Interestingly, piles of millions of dollars are being spent on diversity and inclusion projects through large tech corporations to recruit more tech employees, but from what I see, not a dime is being spent on some of the company’s most vital divisions: mergers and acquisitions and venture capital weapons. If we can solve this problem, it will pave the way for new global investment channeled into some of the world’s most cutting-edge corporations. There are thousands upon thousands of women-led tech startups that are revolutionizing each and every industry. You can think of: healthcare, finance, transportation, education, fashion, energy, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and much more.
Need a little inspiration to locate the next unicorns or zebras, as Mara Zepeda, CEO and co-founder of Switchboard, and co-authors so eloquently claimed?Here are 60 women-led startups (listed alphabetically) that are revolutionizing generations around the world. world. Some of the list are corporations that have participated in our Women Startup Challenges, where we are in a project to close the investment gap. For others, we track their products and their traction. Look them up. Introduce yourself to them. Finance them!