According to a recent survey by human resources software company Gusto, in 2020 and 2021, startups led by women accounted for 49 percent of all new ventures, compared to just 28 percent in 2019. Despite this growth, only 2.1 percent of venture capital funding went to women-led businesses in 2022. This is despite the fact that women-led companies, according to a Boston Consulting Group study, return 150 percent more on average for every dollar invested in them than businesses led by men.
This article in Newsweek profiles five women founders who are making strides in varied industries such as footwear, healthcare, food and beverage, tabletop games and technology. Their stories inspire while also offering useful tips on how to navigate the initial hurdles of entrepreneurship.