Investing with a Feminist Lens: Sharing the Stories of Empowered Women Achieving Financial Growth
“I have a daughter today—she's not even one—but I want to know that 20 years from now, if she decides to start her own business, that she will have equal opportunities as her two brothers and access to funding.” — Saloua Benkhouya
Last month, we hosted a fireside chat with three investors of The51 who are championing change through their unique journeys and feminist investing principles. Saloua Benkhouya, Robin Kooyman, and Jessica Green shared their stories and shed light on why and how their investment approaches align with their values.
Key takeaways of the live session:
- Saloua, Robin, and Jessica discussed their backgrounds, investing stories, and the importance of women's leadership in business
- Emphasis on the principles of feminist investing, including supporting companies aligned with values, solving problems, and being scalable
- The challenges and risks of early-stage investing, along with the need for financial literacy and thorough research
- The importance of investing in women-led businesses, building relationships with founders, and having open financial discussions with partners
Catch the webinar on-demand here.
Based on the session, we’ve unpacked the major themes discussed with Shelley and shared by Saloua, Robin, and Jessica that exemplify the transformative potential of feminist investing.
Defining Feminist Investing
Feminist investing is about using your money as a tool to support ventures that address problems or needs, have a clear business model, share values with the investor, and demonstrate scalability. It prioritizes factors like gender equality, women's leadership development, and diversity and inclusion in decision-making processes.
By investing with a feminist lens, individuals can make a meaningful difference and contribute to a more equitable investment ecosystem.
The Importance of Women-Led Businesses
Investing in women-led businesses is not only a means of supporting equality but also a promising avenue for financial growth. Studies have shown that companies with at least one woman founder tend to outperform all-male teams by over 60%.
By investing in women-led businesses, individuals can contribute to economic growth and tap into an underinvested, overperforming asset class.
Challenges and Opportunities in Early-Stage Investing
Investing in early-stage companies can be a risky venture, but it also presents unique opportunities. This stage requires patience, a long-term outlook, and a willingness to support companies through their growth period.
Understanding the risk-return tradeoff, conducting due diligence, and building a diversified portfolio are essential in navigating this space. Don't underestimate the power of your acumen to evaluate investments: build your own toolkit, use it, be courageous, and be prepared to walk away.
By carefully evaluating early-stage opportunities, individuals can mitigate risks while potentially reaping substantial rewards. Start where you’re at and only use the capital you can afford to lose.
The Impact of Feminist Investing
Feminist investing has the potential to create both financial and societal benefits. By investing in women-led businesses, individuals contribute to economic growth and help achieve gender equality. Additionally, investing in women's sports or women-led innovation presents a unique opportunity to reach a large audience at a lower cost, potentially yielding higher returns.
Feminist investing can reshape the investment landscape and create a more inclusive and equitable society, looking beyond the traditional metrics and focusing on the potential of women-led businesses, their impact on society, and the importance of representation
Redefining the Investment Model
The51 is challenging the traditional venture model of growth by prioritizing sustainable growth, profitability, and creating value for both founders and investors. By focusing on building several successful companies, our goal is to build real businesses right with our founders and our capital to reshape the capital decision-making landscape. Impact investing does not have to compromise financial returns, and our approach aims for a more sustainable and inclusive investment ecosystem.
Saloua, Robin, and Jessica’s stories demonstrate the power of feminist investing in creating opportunities for women-led companies and promoting gender equality. By aligning their financial goals with their personal values, these women have not only achieved success in their own investment journeys but also empower others to do the same.
Sharing their unique experiences and engaging anecdotes, this webinar was a testament to the opportunity for women to claim their power within the investment space. Stay tuned for more panels and chats like this in the future!