Announcing the SOCAP24 Agenda — Going Deeper: Catalyzing Systems Change!

Breaking Barriers: A Debate on Strategies to Combat Gender Bias in Investment

Jeff Pilisuk Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship

Tired of the same old conversation about the gender gap in investing? We hear you. While women consistently receive a smaller share of investment funds, endlessly highlighting the problem won’t solve it. Let’s shift from talk to action and explore the strategies that will create a more equitable investment landscape.

In this debate style panel, we’ll investigate different perspectives on what is needed to truly move the needle and level the playing field for women. How can we persuade key decision-makers to embrace tangible metrics and data-driven evaluations over traditional gut instincts? Or, if the biases and societal norms inhibit the flow of capital to women, does this warrant more women-only focused funds or quotas to even the playing field?

We’ll move beyond acknowledging the need for change and offer actionable steps for decision-makers by delving into:
– Objective evaluation criteria: Replace gut instinct with predefined metrics, balancing risk and growth potential.
– Systemic improvements: Address inherent biases in current systems that result in a more equitable allocation of resources to women.

Drawing on research and experience from Village Capital, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and Alphamundi Foundation, the session aims to transform how investors assess startups. Our goal is not merely to recognize the problem but to actively guide a discussion on current investment practices and gaps, paving the way for a more equitable and data-driven investing ecosystem.

Track

Capital Flows for Impact: Dialogues Around the State of Impact Investment

Format

Panel (3 speakers)

Speakers

  • NameMaya Ackerman
  • TitleAssociate Professor of Computer Science & Engineering; CEO & Co-founder at WaveAI
  • OrganizationSanta Clara University
  • NameMeredith Storton
  • TitleSenior Manager, Investments
  • OrganizationVillage Capital
  • NamePatricia Chin-Sweeney
  • TitleSenior Advisor; Venture Partner at Beyond Capital Ventures
  • OrganizationAlphamundi Foundation

Description

Tired of the same old conversation about the gender gap in investing? We hear you. While women consistently receive a smaller share of investment funds, endlessly highlighting the problem won’t solve it. Let’s shift from talk to action and explore the strategies that will create a more equitable investment landscape.

In this debate style panel, we’ll investigate different perspectives on what is needed to truly move the needle and level the playing field for women. How can we persuade key decision-makers to embrace tangible metrics and data-driven evaluations over traditional gut instincts? Or, if the biases and societal norms inhibit the flow of capital to women, does this warrant more women-only focused funds or quotas to even the playing field?

We’ll move beyond acknowledging the need for change and offer actionable steps for decision-makers by delving into:
– Objective evaluation criteria: Replace gut instinct with predefined metrics, balancing risk and growth potential.
– Systemic improvements: Address inherent biases in current systems that result in a more equitable allocation of resources to women.

Drawing on research and experience from Village Capital, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and Alphamundi Foundation, the session aims to transform how investors assess startups. Our goal is not merely to recognize the problem but to actively guide a discussion on current investment practices and gaps, paving the way for a more equitable and data-driven investing ecosystem.

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