500 Startups Keeps Its Commitment To Invest In Women In Tech

500 Startups Keeps Its Commitment To Invest In Women In Tech

February 23, 2016

techcrunch.com -

Its commitment starts with the makeup of the organization itself, but extends into the portfolio companies that 500 backs, as well. Half the managing partners and staff at 500 Startups are women, and at least one-third of the investing team are women. More than a quarter of the companies in the 500 portfolio are led by female CEOs, according to the firm.

It’s also been doing work to create programs that invest in female-led companies and include more women in the conversation. The firm introduced its 500 Women AngelList syndicate last fall and pledged to invest $1 million in 10 female-led companies in the portfolio.

Tsai says she is well aware of the sexism and discrimination that often plagues Silicon Valley. She’s witnessed the occasional remark about a female VC’s breasts and heard the stories of pregnant female founders being questioned about how serious they are about their careers by potential investors.

But rather than talk about the problem, Tsai says we need to put our money where our mouth is. “There is a problem but we need to focus on the positive by getting more women in VC and investment roles and invest in the women,” she says.

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