Sexism in Venture Capital: Why 'Penis' Is OK, But 'Vagina' Is Taboo

You can say "penis" at a VC pitch, but don't even think about saying "vagina." Female founders are "advised" to strike a more "neutral" tone, according to startling new research.

This is Part 1 of an infinite series on empirical analysis proving that venture capital is a scam, especially in healthcare, and why alternative, more optimal, and better-aligned approaches to asset allocation and investment in innovative startups are needed.

Today, millions of Americans are voting, with women’s rights and health squarely on the ballot. Yet, in the “VC bros” world, women’s progress is a rounding error.

In femtech—a sector supposedly focused on women’s needs—male founders are statistically more likely to get funded than female founders, often with half the merit.

In the world of the so-called “VC bros,” merit never even makes it to the ballot. And I’ve got the numbers to back that up.

In this article, I lay out the facts and opinions on why women VCs and founders are marginalized by “VC bros.” With a focus on femtech, I also spotlight a few hard-won victories along the way.

Forget DEI. Forget racial bias. Forget inequality. I’m talking about plain, unfiltered merit in venture capital. And here’s the brutal truth: there is none. Men are, on average, worse VC investors than women. Yet, according to recent research, they consistently receive more capital—even in femtech. It’s unbelievable. This is sexism in its rawest form, a disgrace that shouldn’t exist in today’s world.

I have two daughters. I just voted for their future—a future of equal rights and merit, where hard work and excellence are rewarded, regardless of gender, background, nationality, or anything else.

Here’s the TL;DR:

1. Naked Facts

2. Women’s Healthtech Startups Are Less Likely to Get Funding with Female Founders, according to The Guardian

2.1 The Barriers to Femtech Funding

2.2 The Funding Gender Gap in Femtech

2.3 The Exclusive VC Bro Club

2.4 Flo Health: A Case of Success and Industry Double Standards

2.5 Challenges Beyond Funding: Systemic Gender Bias in Distribution and Marketing

2.6 “Solution”: “Watch Your Language, Ladies!”

2.7 Small Steps Toward Progress and Accountability, and the Rise of Femtech Support

2.8 References

3. VCs Prefer White Male-Led Startups, according to PlanBeyond Study

4. Breaking Barriers: Women and Non-Binary Investors Reshaping Venture Capital

4.1 The Rise of Women-Led VC Funds

4.2 The Numbers Speak: Women VCs Produce Higher Returns, Faster Exits

4.3 Expanding DEI’s Reach Amid Backlash

4.4 Championing Diversity: Women and Non-Binary Leaders in High-Profile Sectors Like AI

4.5 Empowering Women Through Sustainable Capital Expansion

4.6 References

5. Small Investment Victories in Women's Health and Femtech

5.1 The Rise of Flo: The New Unicorn Innovating in Women’s Health

5.2 Beyond Flo: The New Wave of Femtech Champions Attracts Major Funding

5.3 Femtech: Skyrocketing Valuations and the Road Ahead

6. Why is it Still So Hard to Succeed in Women's Health and Femtech?

6.1 Capital Starvation and Risk Perception

6.2 Visibility and Representation

6.3 Social Taboos and the "Yuck Factor"

6.4 The TAM Problem: Misunderstanding the Market’s Potential

6.5 Structural Inequities in Funding and Reimbursement

6.6 The VC’s Macro Existential Crisis and Women’s Health

6.7 Toward an Inclusive Future for Women’s Health

6.8 References

7. Conclusion: What Future Awaits My Daughters?

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