500 Startups managing partner Christine Tsai told me by phone earlier today. That’s exactly what the early-stage investment firm has been trying to do over the last five years, and it seems to be succeeding.
Its commitment starts with the makeup of the organization itself, but extends into the portfolio companies 500 backs as well. Half the managing partners and staff at 500 Startups are women and at least one-third of the investing team are female. More than a quarter of the companies in the 500 portfolio are led by female CEO’s, according to the firm.
It’s also been doing work to create programs that invest in female-led companies and include more women in the conversation. The firm introduced its 500 Women AngelList syndicate last fall and pledged to invest $1 million in 10 female-led companies in the portfolio.
Tsai says she is well aware of the sexism and discrimination that often plagues Silicon Valley. She’s witnessed the occasional remark about a female VC’s breasts and heard the stories of pregnant female founders being questioned about how serious they are about their careers by potential investors.
But rather than talk about the problem, Tsai says we need to put our money where our mouth is.
Its commitment starts with the makeup of the organization itself, but extends into the portfolio companies 500 backs as well. Half the managing partners and staff at 500 Startups are women and at least one-third of the investing team are female. More than a quarter of the companies in the 500 portfolio are led by female CEO’s, according to the firm.
It’s also been doing work to create programs that invest in female-led companies and include more women in the conversation. The firm introduced its 500 Women AngelList syndicate last fall and pledged to invest $1 million in 10 female-led companies in the portfolio.
Tsai says she is well aware of the sexism and discrimination that often plagues Silicon Valley. She’s witnessed the occasional remark about a female VC’s breasts and heard the stories of pregnant female founders being questioned about how serious they are about their careers by potential investors.
But rather than talk about the problem, Tsai says we need to put our money where our mouth is.
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