The GHWIN Blog
Taking Action: The Game Changers Spotlight
On the action front, we’re proud to share that GHWIN recently held our first Game Changers Spotlight, featuring only female founders who are actively raising capital on our platform. As of now, all the deals listed on GHWIN’s platform are 100% female-founded or co-founded. We mention this not to pat ourselves on the back (well, okay, maybe a little), but to emphasize that it’s not only possible but also relatively straightforward. There are so many outstanding female founders out there raising capital for groundbreaking solutions in health and wellness, and they deserve support.
Raising Awareness: Interview with GHWIN Co-Founder Lauren Kane
For raising awareness, we turned to GHWIN’s Co-Founder, Lauren Kane. With over 15 years of experience working with female founders in a variety of capacities, Lauren has seen firsthand the unique challenges these entrepreneurs face. We sat down with her to get her insights on what it’s really like to raise capital as a female founder, and how the landscape is changing (or not).
What are some of the unique challenges female founders face when raising capital?
There’s a long list of challenges, but at the top of the list is investor bias. The numbers speak for themselves: female founders, unless they have a male co-founder, receive less than 5% of venture capital funding. And that number has remained fairly stagnant over the years. It’s a stark contrast to the reality that women make up nearly 40% of all global entrepreneurs (according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor). Despite this, women are still underfunded compared to their male counterparts.
This bias makes it particularly hard for female founders to secure the capital they need in the early stages, especially pre-seed or seed rounds. Investors often wait until these startups reach the Series A stage before taking them seriously.
How do you think the future of venture capital looks for female founders, and what changes would you like to see in the industry?
Have you noticed any common misconceptions investors may have about female-led startups?
A common misconception is that investors think female-led startups won’t give them a return on their investment. However, data from several studies shows that female-founded companies tend to outperform their male counterparts in terms of revenue. A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that female founders generate 78 cents of revenue for every dollar invested—compared to 31 cents for male founders.
The real issue often lies in the perception of leadership. Investors sometimes have difficulty imagining a female founder as the CEO of a company. Interestingly, most female founders I’ve worked with are open to stepping into other roles if it means the company succeeds, as long as they retain their equity.
What strategies do you recommend for female founders to overcome gender bias during fundraising?
The most important advice I can give is: Be yourself. Stop trying to act the way you think an investor expects you to. Investors want to connect with the person behind the company, not just the business idea. When you’re authentic and lead the conversation, you show the investor that you’re in charge and capable of running the company. Don’t let them control the narrative—be the CEO you know you are.
Do you think the fundraising landscape for female founders has changed over the past few years?
There’s definitely more awareness now about the lack of support for female founders in terms of capital. More funds have emerged that either focus exclusively on female founders or at least incorporate gender diversity into their investment strategies. In fact, in 2021, female founders received a record-breaking $6.5 billion in venture capital, a significant increase, though still a small fraction of the total VC funding pool. At GHWIN, we’re seeing an increasing number of female founders in the health and wellness space, which is great for both the industry and the investors who support them.
In your experience, what kind of investor interests or preferences have you seen that are particularly supportive of female-led businesses?
One area that’s incredibly popular right now—both from a consumer and investor standpoint—is female health. Investors are keen to support businesses that address gaps in women’s healthcare, especially in areas like menopause, which is expected to reach a $24 billion market by 2030. The demand for solutions to women’s health issues is not just high, but it’s also urgent, and more investors are recognizing this. Whether you’re a female investor or a male investor, it’s important to understand how women’s health will impact your life—whether it's through your wife, mother, or sister.
How important is mentorship and networking for female founders looking to raise capital, and how can they access these opportunities?
Mentorship and networking are absolutely critical. Female founders need guidance, connections, and access to subject matter experts who can help them scale their companies. A single introduction from a mentor can be worth more than hours of meetings with potential investors. If you’re able to make strategic introductions, you can change the trajectory of a female founder’s journey. And if you can also invest, you're directly helping change the statistics on female funding while supporting the next wave of innovative companies.
Looking ahead, I don’t expect to see dramatic changes by 2025. However, with more dedicated efforts and funding going toward female founders, we might be able to crack the 10% mark for venture capital dollars going to women by 2030. At GHWIN, we are hopeful that with continued awareness and more intentional support, female founders will finally receive the funding they deserve.
In conclusion, there’s still a long way to go, but the future is bright for female entrepreneurs in health and wellness. By raising awareness and taking action, we can help break down the barriers that have held these incredible women back for far too long.
Investing in Women:
A Look At the Roadblocks & Opportunities for Female Founders
March 2025
When the theme of the month for GHWIN (Global Health and Wellness Investor Network) focuses on Female Founders, there are two key things we aim to do:
One, take action. And two, raise awareness to support the incredible women raising capital in the health and wellness space.