As venture capitalists power the nation’s new ideas, more and more women are also giving this niche a shot. Katie Haun, Sydney Thomas, and Sarah Guo are only a few who left their corresponding VC companies to promise a new era of women investors.
Venture capitalist companies are essential to help innovators materialize new ideas and inventions that potentially help consumers. Having funds readily available will not hinder these innovations in the market.
However, this male-dominated industry of providing seed funding to new companies and individuals hoping to impact the market is evident. The primary decision-makers, without a doubt, are men. In fact, the number of women decision-makers in venture capitalist companies has declined over the last decade, from 10 percent to 5 to 8 percent.
A group of experts has identified the reasons why women in VC have declined. These assumptions include an unconscious bias, education, and male-dominated work culture.
Women catching on to the trend
But as the trend of new women venture capitalists continues, should top male decision-makers be worried? Is there a possibility that women overthrow high-ranking male roles in VC companies? Or should this industry just share the limelight?
Many established women in VC companies have shown that this niche isn’t only a testosterone-filled undertaking. Some notable women VC members have left their posts in popular VC companies.
Katie Haun left Andreessen Horowitz, Sydney Thomas left Precursor Ventures, and recently, Sarah Guo left Greylock to pursue her own plans for something more significant in the market. And these recent occasions have promised a new round of emerging female investors or entrepreneurs.
Brewing something bigger
A VC company is private equity that provides financing to small businesses and startup companies. These investors believe these companies have the potential for growth due to new ideas and innovations. These fundings come from investment banks, well-off investors, and other financial institutions.
And women are prepared to take the risk in funding these startup companies. An above-average return is one of the reasons why these women have started their own journey.
Sarah Guo, who left Greylock to pursue her project, says it’s something personal. The female entrepreneur told e-RUPI that she sees a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity of starting something great.
Greylock is a company that provides seed and Series A and B funding, supporting entrepreneurs from ideation to IPO and beyond.
Guo has been with Greylock for almost 10 years and said she sees a new opportunity in the market. She said that it’s the start of a new tech cycle.
“If I’m right, and that new wave of companies is just around the corner, investing now early in a bear market that wipes out pretenders is extremely good conditions,” Guo said.
Sydney Thomas also wants to take advantage of an opportunity she couldn’t ignore. She said it’s all about investing in seed-stage companies before doubling at the seed. She also acknowledged this funding gap during her days in Precursor.
Julie Wroblewski also found a gap in funding healthcare companies. She said that several startup companies are going on the healthcare route. So she partnered with Joanna Drake and created Magnify Ventures in 2020.
Putting women decision-makers in VC companies will give this industry new perspectives. These new structures will also pave the way for diversified leaders, making this niche bigger than ever.
