The historically male-dominated landscape of entrepreneurship and investing continues to evolve. However, women entrepreneurs and investors continue to face significant underrepresentation.
From gender bias to limited access to capital, women face a variety of challenges in business.
To address this imbalance caused by deeply ingrained gender bias, organizations such as EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility are taking proactive steps to close the gender gap and promote gender diversity. I am teaching.
As a result of our joint efforts, we created the SUPERNOVAS program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at attracting more women to the entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem.
Statistics on gender disparity in entrepreneurship and investment
Before diving into the details of the SUPERNOVAS program, it is important to understand the background and importance of the gender gap in entrepreneurship and investing. According to statistics:
- Only 15% of technology startups are founded or co-founded by women.
- Women-led startups face challenges in raising funding, with all-female teams receiving only 2% of venture capital funding across Europe, and mixed teams receiving around 5%.
- There is a lack of gender diversity in venture capital firms, with 85 percent of investment committees made up entirely of men and only 13 percent of venture capital partners being women.
These figures highlight the urgent need to address the gender gap and create opportunities for women in entrepreneurship and investment. With that said, here are seven things you need to know about the EIT SUPERNOVAS program and its efforts.
What is the SUPERNOVAS program?
The SUPERNOVAS program aims to reduce gender disparity in the entrepreneurship and investment ecosystem by offering various initiatives and programs aimed at empowering women.
This initiative aims to create more diverse and inclusive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) talent for women in these fields by attracting talent, supporting women investors, and fostering strong communities. We aim to create a friendly environment.
Creating opportunities for women investors Women’s Investment Network (WIN)
Women Investment Network (WIN) is a platform where women investors, both venture capital and business angels, come together to learn, grow professionally, access investment opportunities in women-led startups, and expand their networks.
WIN provides a supportive environment for women investors to collaborate and learn from each other.
Through online training courses (tailored to two types of women investors), investment forums, and community-building activities, WIN helps women investors access optimal women-led deal flows and make informed investment decisions. I'm trying to make it possible.
Who is it for?
- If you are a young or young female venture capital professional
- If you are (or want to be) a female business angel
- If you are a female CEO and/or founder or work at a female-led startup
Providing visibility for women-led startups data room
The Data Room is a dedicated platform that collects and analyzes the latest data on women-led startups supported by EIT.
The platform aims to give investors access to curated deal flow, provide journalists with valuable information to cover women's entrepreneurship, and give visibility to women-led startups. It serves multiple purposes.
By publishing detailed profiles, financial data, market mapping, and news about these startups, Data Room showcases the talent and innovation that exists in the women-led startup ecosystem.
Who is it for?
- European women-led startups supported by the Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) will be featured. This includes climate, culture and creativity, digital, food, health, innoenergy, manufacturing, raw materials and urban mobility.
- Investors are interested in exploring opportunities in these sectors.
- Journalists and publishers reporting on women's entrepreneurship.
- Other interested parties.
Developing the next generation of venture investors women 2 investment
Women2Invest is an educational program aimed at training STEAM graduates in the fundamentals of venture investing.
In this program, participants will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue an internship or full-time role in venture capital, startup investing, or corporate investing.
Women2Invest aims to increase women's representation in venture capital and provide valuable career opportunities for women by attracting venture capital firms to include more STEAM women in their workplaces.
Who is it for?
- Venture capital and corporate venture capital firms interested in hiring VC-trained STEAM women.
Empowering female venture capital professionals Venture Capital Academy
Venture Capital Academy offers two different training programs for female venture capital professionals at various levels: junior and senior.
The “Raising VC Stars” program is aimed at female interns and analysts with up to three years of experience in venture capital.
The 'VC Forward' program, on the other hand, is aimed at female employees or principals with 4-10 years of experience in the industry.
These programs address important topics in the investment process, professional development, and career aspects, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the venture capital landscape.
The Academy brings together top speakers and coaches who deliver theoretical and practical sessions based on an interactive 'learning by doing' approach to bring out the best in each participant.
Who is it for?
- Raising VC stars: Female venture capital interns and analysts with up to 3 years of experience in VC.
- VC Forward: A female associate or principal with 4-10 years of experience in VC.
Supporting women investors business angel academy
Business Angel Academy focuses on training new and experienced female business angels.
The program covers a variety of topics including deal flow, opportunity analysis, due diligence, valuation, terms negotiation, deal closing, investment documentation, diversification strategies, portfolio company support, investment rounds, and exits.
With this, Business Angel Academy aims to increase the number of women investors and foster a more diverse and inclusive investment ecosystem.
Who is it for?
Women who are passionate about startups, innovation, and making a real impact in the entrepreneurial world, both with experience as a business angel (at any level) or new to this type of investment.
rocket up:Supporting the overseas expansion of female-led startups
Rocket Up is a program designed to help women-led technology startups successfully expand internationally within Europe.
The initiative provides startups with the support they need, including resources, mentorship and guidance to expand their businesses into new EU markets.
By providing customized support and networking opportunities, Rocket Up bridges the gap and accelerates growth for women-led startups, helping them become influential players in the entrepreneurial world and their future. We aim to enable them to serve as role models that inspire generations.
Who is it for?
An early-stage, women-led startup looking to expand and expand into new EU markets.
Women's Leadership Program: Empowering women entrepreneurs and innovators
The Women's Leadership Program supports, inspires and empowers women entrepreneurs and innovators.
This cohort will provide selected participants with a series of training, networking events, business coaching, and mentoring opportunities to improve their personal and professional skills.
Each cohort will consist of both virtual and in-person training sessions led by renowned and experienced trainers, challenging participants' leadership approaches with inspiring case studies and using participatory approaches to proactively encourage engagement.
By developing leadership skills and expanding networks, this program enables women to take on leadership roles and drive innovation in their fields.
Who is it for?
- EIC and EIT female (co-)founders and managers (CEO, CTO, CFO,
- COO, CCO, etc.) Those who want to strengthen their personal abilities
- Learn professional skills and expand your network.
- EIC female researchers involved in research projects and aiming to become leaders
- Transforming research into business
EIT: What you need to know
Founded in 2008, the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an independent institution of the European Union with legal personality.
The European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT) has three main areas of focus:
- Entrepreneurship education program for students to develop their entrepreneurial spirit
- Business creation and acceleration services that support startup growth and scale expansion
- Innovation-driven research projects that bring together partners, investors, and experts to turn ideas into successful products.
EIT (European Institute for Innovation and Technology) is part of the EU's “Horizon Europe” program. His four strategic objectives are:
- Promoting open strategic autonomy
- Restoring ecosystems and biodiversity
- Building a sustainable economy
- create a democratic society
Since 2018, EIT has established nine KICs (Knowledge and Innovation Communities).
