Needs Must. Invest in Women

Empowerment is more than a buzzword; it's a transformative journey that opens doors, reshapes societies, and empowers individuals to chart their destinies. Yet, for women in tech, this path is not without challenges. Global progress reports reveal that men still outpace women in establishing new businesses, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

At Global Innovation Initiative Group (GIIG), we actively support female founders through initiatives like the Global Startup Awards Africa (GSA Africa) "Women in Tech" category. This platform celebrates successful female entrepreneurs and co-founders, emphasizing leadership and the importance of reducing gender disparities in the tech ecosystem. Data from GSA Africa 2023 reveal 37% of the top 20 startups have female (co-)founders, with 68% having females in Senior Management.

As we celebrate progress, let's acknowledge the challenges that persist. GIIG remains dedicated to fostering an environment where female entrepreneurs not only survive but thrive, by giving them the visibility and network connections to help lead the way for others.

In the spirit of International Women's Day, we reached out to some of the remarkable female leaders from GSA Africa 2023 to gain insights into investing in women-led startups and to understand their perspectives on the key factors that make women-led businesses attractive investment opportunities.

Hadeer Shalaby , CEO and Co-founder of Freeziana.com expresses: “Investing in our startup means contributing to the social and economic development of Egypt. Through our programs and initiatives, we are creating opportunities for women and youth to gain the skills they need to thrive in the creative industries. By supporting us, the investor is not only investing in financial returns but also making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities. Any investment will enable us to open new markets and reach a broader audience. As we expand, we can provide more women and youth with access to decent jobs and suitable incomes, thereby creating a positive ripple effect within communities. This not only enhances our social impact but also increases our revenue potential, leading to higher returns for our investors.”?

Susan Payne , Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Sustainable Planet emphasizes, "The key factors that make women-led businesses attractive are their focus on execution and on performance with a higher level of EQ. Women work hard for both them and for their children as first caregivers in almost all instances; they are naturally good organizers and multitaskers and are highly uncomfortable accruing debt. Repayment rates are proven to be substantially higher in female-led businesses. When you cut it back to 2 words: Needs Must. I'd trust a woman to do the right thing in business almost every time. She is the full stop defining her family's financial situation, the buck often stops with her and her industriousness."

Tasneem Karodia , Co-founder and COO of Newform Foods highlights: "I think the main opportunity, having women lead business allows for diversity perspectives and insights. It is important to be able to have representation across demographics and having more women lead businesses allows for this representation."

Let's continue to support and uplift female founders. Together, we can create a more inclusive and thriving tech community. Visit https://bit.ly/GSANP24 to learn more about the Women in Tech category and how you can get involved.