Funding Roundtable

​Organized by The Next Women in collaboration with Google for Startups

​Why It Matters
Despite the growing awareness of the need for diversity in entrepreneurship and venture capital, only 2% of global investments currently go to female-led companies and less than 1% for women of color. This event aims to address the gender investment gap and explore tangile and actionable pathways for change. By connecting founders and investors who share a commitment to gender diversity and impact, we will foster collaborations that have the potential to shape the a different future.

​What to expect
Join us for an exclusive roundtable discussion and networking session that unites influential female investors, impact investors, and female founders. This event aims to create a supportive space for participants to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the ecosystem, share insights, and build connections that accelerate female-led entrepreneurship. By fostering conversations that strengthen the bridge between investors and founders, we seek to enhance access to capital and strategic advice, focusing on understanding barriers to investment in female-led ventures and identifying actionable solutions for greater inclusion and impact in the industry.

​For whom

• ​Female founders (mid-stage startups to late-stage scale-ups)

• ​Female investors (angel investors, VCs, and impact investors)

• ​Ecosystem leaders passionate about gender parity and impact-driven ventures

​Event Program Outline

• ​16:30-17:00 | Walk in

• ​17:00-17:10 | Welcome & Introductions
  Opening remarks by The Next Women & Google, setting the stage for the event’s purpose.

• ​17:10-17:15 | Move to roundtables

• ​17:15-18:00 | Roundtables: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges
  Roundtable Topics:

  1. ​Impact Investing as a Force for Change: What dimensions (should) matter in
     funding female-led ventures as a force for change?

  2. ​Ecosystem Support: Identifying the tools, networks, and knowledge resources needed to help founders scale.

  3. ​How It Works: How investors look at potential investments and what founders need to prioritize when seeking funding.

• ​18:00-18:15 | Takeaways
  Each table gives a short recap/insights - key insights of the session will be presented and actionable steps will be formulated.

• ​18:15-20:00 | Drinks with a twist
  A relaxed moment to meet new faces and continue the conversation, exchange ideas, and establish valuable connections.