At Emilia Capital, we understand women’s challenges in the tech industry and beyond. That’s why we prioritize investing in female-founded companies or businesses with women in leadership roles. Empowering women in business isn’t just a matter of ethics—it’s a proven strategy for success.
Why female leadership matters
Gender inequality is a persistent issue in the business world:
• Women occupy just 44 of the Fortune 500 CEO positions, representing less than 9%.
• Globally, women are paid about 20% less than men for the same work.
• The higher up the corporate ladder you go, the fewer women you’ll find, especially in leadership and decision-making roles.
During the acquisition of Yoast, Marieke has experienced how male the startup and investment world can be. We met with numerous leadership teams across the WordPress ecosystem and beyond. Marieke was the only woman at the table in most meetings, surrounded by middle-aged white men. This stark lack of diversity reminded us how far we still have to go to achieve equity in business leadership.
Our vision for change
While we can’t transform the world overnight, we can contribute to lasting progress by supporting women who lead and innovate. Role models are essential. We need more women starting companies, leading teams, and demonstrating that leadership has no gender. As investors, we aim to help make this vision a reality.
Our investment criteria
We align with companies that embrace diversity in leadership. Businesses founded or led by women, or those with at least one woman on their leadership team, resonate with core investment values.
We recognize that diversity extends far beyond gender, and we genuinely value all forms of diversity. However, as investors, we see a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on gender diversity, especially given Marieke’s firsthand experience with the challenges women often face. By focusing on gender equality, we believe we can drive positive change and create a more inclusive landscape.
We’re proud to invest in companies founded and led by women: Equalize Digital, Stieglitz, Nina Care, and Witlof.
How We Support Female Entrepreneurs
Our commitment extends beyond funding. We actively work to amplify the voices of female leaders by:
Encouraging Visibility: We help our portfolio companies showcase female leadership at conferences, events, and within their industries. Visibility inspires others and creates more opportunities for women.
Providing Mentorship: Through initiatives like the EmpowerWoment Project, we offer guidance and mentorship to female founders and leaders, helping them navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
Advocating for Change: We encourage our portfolio companies to address issues of inequality and champion the importance of gender diversity in leadership.
At Emilia Capital, we’re not just investing in businesses—we’re investing in a future where women are equally represented at every leadership level. If you’re a female entrepreneur or lead a diverse team, we’d love to partner to grow your business and amplify your impact.
