Female-led businesses have much poorer access to business funding than their male counterparts.
In fact, in 2024, only 2% of global venture capital funding went to female-only founding teams, according to research by the Founders Forum Group.
The World Economic Forum estimates that, globally, the finance gap for women entrepreneurs is $1.7 trillion, with male-led start-ups and businesses receiving the majority of funding.
But why does this gender disparity exist? And what are the available routes to funding that your female-led business could consider when looking for additional finance?
What causes the gender disparity in access to funding?
The differences in access to funding between female founders and male founders are a problem. This disparity holds back female entrepreneurs, reduces their ability to grow their business ideas and perpetuates the dominance of male-led businesses in specific sectors.
What actually causes this gender disparity in funding?
- Investor bias: A lack of diversity in the investment world leads to unconscious bias, with investors more likely to favor male-led teams over female-led teams.
- Networking disparity: Female founders can lack access to the male-dominated professional networks where the majority of funding deals originate, making it harder to find investors.
- Perception of industry and scale: Investors tend to fund high-growth, male-dominated tech sectors, while female founders are more likely to start businesses in sectors that are perceived as less scalable or less attractive to venture capitalists.
Historically, it may be more difficult to find the funding you need as a female-led business. But perceptions of female entrepreneurialism are changing, and many institutions are doing their best to address the gender disparity – making it easier to find the funding you need.
Five different routes to funding and how they differ:
1. Flexible loans from specialist lenders
There’s a large choice of specialist business lenders that can offer fast and straightforward access to small business loans.
Applying for a loan with these non-bank lenders is generally faster than applying to the big banks and has less emphasis on traditional business credit checks. Non-banks tend to assess your creditworthiness based on your current and future business performance and ability to repay the loan.
2. Government, local and charitable grants
Unlike a business loan, money you receive from a business grant does not have to be repaid. Grants are usually used to incentivize enterprise within specific areas or industries.
Grants for female-led businesses are offered through a variety of sources, so it’s a good idea to check government and regional websites to check what grants are available. You’ll need to meet the grant’s eligibility requirements to access the funding.
3. Private investors and venture capitalists
Private investors can be a fundamental source of funding when you’re starting your business, or looking to scale up the company.
Angel investors are private individuals who invest their own money into your business, in exchange for equity (usually shares) in the business. Venture capital companies and private equity companies invest in similar ways, but on a larger scale. Any kind of equity investment will mean giving up some ownership of the business (reducing your overall control of the company).
4. Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms, like Kickstarter, give you a way to raise funds through contributions from a large group of interested investors or customers.
You can secure small contributions from multiple individual investors or donors to fund a project, campaign or new business venture. With some platforms, you can also sell your product directly to ‘early bird’ investors, allowing you to raise capital early and boost cashflow.
5. Tax breaks and incentives
Tax incentives are a way for you to lower the overall tax liability of your business, usually through tax credits, deductions or specific industry incentives.
By lowering your tax liability, you’ll end up paying less tax at year-end. This helps you keep more of your profits, giving you more capital to invest back into the business.
Working with you to create a funding strategy
Perceptions of female entrepreneurs are changing for the better. But it’s still vital to have a clear, detailed funding strategy to drive investment in your female-led business.
If you’re ready to kickstart your business, come and talk to our team. We’ll work with you to define your business plan, funding strategy and financial management.
The following content was originally published by BOMA. We have updated some of this article for our readers.