Barriers to women-led deep tech scaling

Build Her Capacity, Not Her Legend Women are just 15% of UK founders. Ambition isn’t the problem. Infrastructure is. If we want more women to scale, admiration isn’t the lever. Design is. What actually moves the needle: 1. Founder-friendly fundraising ↳ Daylight pitch slots, clear timelines, first meetings on video to cut commute tax ↳ Standard scorecards so polish doesn’t outrank proof 2. Bias-resistant rooms ↳ Mixed decision panels, same questions for every founder, data before “gut feel” ↳ Judge traction and unit economics, not availability for late-night dinners 3. Events built for real life ↳ On-site support options, private wellness spaces, meaningful hybrid access ↳ Publish agendas early so caregivers can plan and actually show up 4. Liquidity that doesn’t choke cash flow ↳ Net-15 for pilots, staged prepayments, procurement that takes weeks not quarters ↳ If you want innovation, stop starving it 5. Work by outcomes, not optics ↳ Async updates, written decisions, no “presence tax” for those with caregiving ↳ Measure results, not hours 6. Parental policies that include founders ↳ Planned coverage, investor-aligned timelines, zero penalty for being human ↳ Treat continuity as a design problem, not a character test 7. Ecosystems that compound ↳ Back women-led funds and operator angel groups, sponsor peer councils ↳ Make introductions a weekly habit, not a once-a-year panel 8. Accountable capital ↳ Publish deployment metrics, tie incentives to inclusive deal flow ↳ What gets measured gets resourced The talent is here. The market is here. Build the infrastructure and watch the curve bend. What’s one lever you can pull this quarter to make scaling women the default, not the exception? ♻️ Share this with someone who controls budgets or deal flow ➕ Follow Helene Guillaume Pabis for human-first leadership, clarity, and momentum ✉️ Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dy3wzu9A

I'm happy to share the release of the #WiSER White Paper, "Igniting a Global Sustainable Economy," following the impactful discussions at the WiSER Annual Forum during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week - ADSW 2025. This report highlights the critical role of female entrepreneurs in driving climate solutions and provides actionable strategies to bridge gender gaps in finance, scalability, AI, mentorship, and accessibility—especially for women in the Global South. Why This Matters: Women-led ventures are key to unlocking innovation in sustainability, yet systemic barriers persist. This paper outlines 5 recommendations: 🔹 Increase Gender-Focused Investment : Boost funding, financial literacy, and microloans for female-led climate projects. 🔹 Scale Women-Led Ventures : Streamline policies and partnerships to accelerate growth. 🔹 Harness AI & Digital Tools: Bridge the AI literacy and access gap to empower business expansion. 🔹 Strengthen Mentorship and Networking: Build cross-sector collaborations to provide women with the resources to succeed. 🔹 Empower Women in the Global South : Address legal and financial barriers, invest in STEM education, and improve access to markets and resources. Dive into the full report below or on Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company)’s website for insights on turning these strategies into action: https://lnkd.in/dyAFPEP2 Thanks again to my fellow roundtable participants: Lawratou Bah, CFA, Mirella Amalia Vitale, Natasha Shenoy, Hajar Alketbi, Manal B., Mariam Alnaqbi, Shaima Al Mulla

While scaling up your business, access to finance is a critical hurdle, and for women, this challenge often presents unique contours. Through my experiences and conversations with fellow women entrepreneurs, it's evident that the playing field isn't always even. The reaction when I mention having a male co-founder versus when discussing purely women-led startups is palpably different. However, the landscape is shifting. There's a growing network of support systems and funding opportunities tailored to empower women with great ideas, aiming to bridge the gap in financial accessibility. Yet, to truly level the playing field, a shift in the mindset of VCs and investors is necessary. We need investors who are not just looking for quick wins but are committed to understanding and supporting the long-term visions of women entrepreneurs. They must recognize the dual challenges—personal and professional—that women often navigate. A woman's career is a long game filled with pauses and shifts. This reality must be acknowledged and supported by the investment community. The path forward requires a new playbook—one that includes investing in diverse leadership and acknowledging the unique challenges and perspectives that women bring to the table. It requires collaboration and a deeper understanding of diversity as a strength. Let's work together to create an ecosystem where great ideas, irrespective of gender, have the support to succeed. By fostering an environment of inclusivity and understanding, we can ensure that every entrepreneur has the opportunity to thrive. #leadership #entrepreneurship #fundraising #women #growth #future #success