Why Female Founders Still Receive Only 12% of VC Funding

Huge Thing & Douglas Are Backing the Next Generation of Female Founders

Recently, we had the opportunity to support Huge Thing in communicating the latest edition of Female Fundraising Academy, a program designed to help female founders better prepare for fundraising and build stronger connections with investors. The initiative is being run together with Douglas and addresses one of the most persistent challenges across the European startup ecosystem: access to venture capital.

Despite years of discussion around diversity in startups, the numbers remain difficult to ignore. According to research commissioned by the European Commission and the European Innovation Council, startups with at least one female founder secured only 12% of all venture capital invested across the European Union between 2020 and 2025. Teams made up entirely of women received an even smaller share.

The Problem Isn't Ambition

One of the most common misconceptions around female entrepreneurship is that the funding gap exists because fewer women choose to build startups or scale companies. In reality, the challenge is often much more practical.

Many founders still have limited access to investor networks, fundraising know-how and the relationships that frequently determine whether a company gets a meeting, feedback or funding. While capital itself remains the visible outcome, access is often the real barrier.

This is exactly where programs like Female Fundraising Academy aim to make a difference.

From Workshops to Investor Readiness

The initiative focuses on helping founders prepare for fundraising in a practical way. Participants work on fundraising strategy, gain access to mentors and industry experts, and interact directly with venture capital funds and investors.

Unlike many startup programs built around inspiration and networking alone, the focus here is on execution. Founders work on real fundraising challenges connected to their businesses and prepare for actual investor conversations.

This year's edition is supported by Douglas, which contributes both industry expertise and a dedicated track for startups operating at the intersection of technology, beauty and consumer products.

Better Access Creates Better Outcomes

The impact of the first edition suggests that access and preparation can make a measurable difference. Between 2024 and 2025, the program supported 70 female founders from Poland and Ukraine. Participating startups increased their average revenues by 85%, highlighting how targeted support can translate into tangible business growth.

While fundraising remains one of the key goals, the broader objective is helping founders build stronger companies and navigate growth with greater confidence.

Building a Stronger Startup Ecosystem

The conversation around diversity in venture capital often focuses on statistics. While those numbers matter, long-term change is ultimately driven by practical initiatives that help founders access knowledge, networks and opportunities.

Programs like Female Fundraising Academy are not simply about increasing representation. They are about ensuring that ambitious founders have the tools, relationships and confidence needed to compete for capital on equal terms.

As Europe's startup ecosystem continues to mature, improving access may prove just as important as increasing the amount of capital available.

Originally published by Spider's Web Bizblog.

You can read the full article here.