Research on Women Angel Investors
Joey Lo | Nov 18, 2009
If you look at the startup and angel investing arena over time, you’ll find that it truly has been a man’s world. In many cases — it’s been a White man’s world.
The research on female angels isn’t one to please the feminist. According to the Center for Venture Research, one third of respondents to a research study [pdf] believe women investors are at a disadvantage because their sources of wealth are more often inherited than earned. Such individuals, then, might not have the professional experience or credibility of investors who created their own wealth.
The Social Science Research Network has also found evidence that female angels have lower levels of confidence compared to men. Also, women tend to be more risk adverse by nature, which can lead to missed opportunities in riskier deals.
The Future Can Be Bright for Female Investors
While findings throughout the industry support the assumptions that women are indeed the weaker sex when it comes to investing, it doesn’t mean that the future isn’t bright for female angels. It simply means they need to get a little money, nerve, and experience to play in the game.
As Dr. Hardaway so eloquently expressed, “I’ve been in about 50 real estate deals and about fifteen tech deals. I am actually a deal junkie. Most of the men I talk to don’t have my stomach for roller coaster rides. But guess what? I’m a woman. They are SMALL deals. I’ve never lost everything, and I have had a fabulous time. I will obviously do this until I completely lose my senses.”
Filed Under: Research Findings
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This write-up reminds me what Mahatma Gandhi of India had in mind in respect of the Indian women before he could appeal them to participate actively in the Indian freedom struggle. The glorious role of the Indian women amazed everyone as they displayed their potentiality in every sphere of the organization. I remember women of Europe in the mediaeval period that had to shoulder responsibility of the family when their husbands, at the call of religious leaders, left their residences to take part in the historical Crusade.
I hold great regard for the female angels and I have learned from my life that they have very strong nerve and higher level of self-confidence. It is not the fact that entrepreneurs always depend on inheritance for initial capital. Entrepreneurship will no more remain as ‘a White man’s world’ and I am sure that my women friends will force us to accept it one day.
This write-up reminds me what Mahatma Gandhi of India had in mind in respect of the Indian women before he could appeal them to participate actively in the Indian freedom struggle. The glorious role of the Indian women amazed everyone as they displayed their potentiality in every sphere of the organization. I remember women of Europe in the mediaeval period that had to shoulder responsibility of the family when their husbands, at the call of religious leaders, left their residences to take part in the historical Crusade.
I hold great regard for the female angels and I have learned from my life that they have very strong nerve and higher level of self-confidence. It is not the fact that entrepreneurs always depend on inheritance for initial capital. Entrepreneurship will no more remain as ‘a White man’s world’ and I am sure that my women friends will force us to accept it one day.