I’m not just talking about the business of women’s health, though that market is projected to grow 17% YOY. Today I’m writing about investing in female founders and leaders who still struggle to get the capital they need to bring their innovations to market, even when the numbers are clearly in their favor.
The numbers are striking
A Boston Consulting Group study found that startups founded or co‑founded by women deliver more than twice as much revenue per dollar invested as those founded by men; for every dollar of funding, women-founded startups generated 78 cents in revenue, male-founded startups, 31 cents. Despite this, women-owned companies continue to receive less early-stage funding.
At the public-company level, Hypatia Capital’s Women CEO Index tracks U.S. companies led by female CEOs, and their data shows that women can consistently match or outperform their peers over time. When women do get the chance to lead, they generate strong returns.
Wealth is shifting to women
The latest Women’s Health Access Matters (WHAM) report estimates that over the next two decades, roughly 70% of the $124 trillion “great wealth transfer” will go to women. About $54 trillion is expected to move to surviving wives, and another $40–50 trillion will be inherited by women across generations.
As more capital moves into women’s hands, investing it in ways that improve women’s lives is both a call for social justice and a tremendous market opportunity. A recent Women & Wealth Report from Portfolia shows that 55% of women investors prioritize investing in companies improving women’s lives. Today, women make an estimated 80% of household healthcare decisions; the market has to create solutions that meet their needs as patients, family caretakers, and investors.
What I’m seeing as an investor
As an investor with Portfolia, I’ve seen first‑hand what happens when women back women; our Femtech Funds that channel capital into founders who are reimagining healthcare innovation and delivery. Portfolia has grown into one of the most influential private investing communities of women, with 2K members (mostly women, worth a combined $22B!) pooling their capital and expertise.
They are not alone. Daya Ventures recently crowdfunded more than 600K to back women-led startups, and local angel groups – from the Josephine Collective in Chicago to Golden Seeds in New York – are investing in female founders. There is real momentum, and one of the most exciting things for me in this space is that women are investing in each other.
A gentle call to action
If these numbers and stories spark something for you, a good next step is simply to learn more about investing in women. That might mean joining a community like Portfolia, exploring thematic funds like WCEO, connecting with local angel groups, or evaluating how much of your retirement investments currently backs women-led companies.
Ultimately, the data is clear – women are a good investment, and the capital flowing to women still lags far behind their performance. I hope you’ll look at your own investing choices and ask where you might help close that gap.
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