Tala’s Post

The Information's The Briefing recently highlighted the lack of women leadership in tech. I’m disheartened to see these stats because I know it doesn’t have to be this way. Like Jessica E. Lessin says, “Pushing away half the world’s population will weaken your businesses and your customer bases. You don’t have to lower your bar to attract female talent. But you do have to work harder.” This is a natural priority at Tala. Because of the nature of our work at and the markets we work in, diversity is a requirement to solve our problem successfully, but this needs to be second nature across the industry as well. We all must ensure diversity in decision-making roles. This requires persistence and a genuine commitment to change. It transcends mere compliance with quotas; it's about recognizing the potential of every person.

Building a successful business as a female entrepreneur can be tough. But, connecting with other female founders can be a game-changer. There are unique challenges we face. The glass ceiling, the gender pay gap, and the lack of representation in leadership roles, just to name a few. It can feel like you're climbing a mountain alone. But trust me, you're not. A supportive community of fellow female founders can provide invaluable resources, mentorship, and encouragement. Some communities i can recommend joining are FutureFounders, Wtech and @womeninweb3 They've been there, they've faced those challenges, and they've come out stronger on the other side. And they're ready to help you do the same. I can attest to this from personal experience. Take my friend, Lissele Pratt, for instance. She's also a founder. We often catch up, discussing the challenges we encounter and brainstorming ideas to overcome them. These catch-ups aren't just a venting session. They're a goldmine of shared experiences, wisdom, and inspiration. They're a reminder that we're not alone in our journey. And most importantly, they're a testament to the power of women supporting women. So, if you're a female entrepreneur, I encourage you to connect with other women in business. Here is a glimpse of one of our closed #FemaleFounder group chat as we do a dinner together! Share your experiences. Learn from theirs. Grow together.

”What if we just bought from female founded companies during a month?” 🤯 Sadly I cannot credit the person that said it during the Women in Business Gala but it sparked a thought in me🔥🧠 👉 We know that 1% of the VC capital goes to female founded companies. 👉 We know that VCs also evaluate male and female founders differently. 👉 We know that if the rate women started and scaled their business were the same as mens, $5-6 trillion of global economic value would be created. Socioeconomically smart to invest in women, in other words 🤑 So what if we actually did something about this? 🧐 The 8th of March it’s international women’s day, and if you want to do a smart thing that day, you invest in women. If you want to do it during the whole month - go you! I’m kinda hooked on this idea, it would be so cool to just buy from women during a month. SO: What cool females do you recommend investing in/buying from? 💡 Food, supplies, tech, books, clothes… you name it, all categories! PS. There’s no shame in pitching yourself!!! I rather want you to 💛 PPS. I just want to briefly acknowledge the elephant in the room, ”Why differentiate female founders?”. I wish we wouldn’t need to do so. I wish we were living in an equal society, but we don’t🤷♀️ #womeninbusiness #internationalwomensday

I’ve seen some stats recently which show women do business and investing better than men. I don’t think that’s going to be news for most of my LinkedIn friends ( it wasn’t for me either ) So why are there less women founders receiving funding? And in fewer senior leadership positions? Let me know your thoughts as to why this is in the comments below as I’d love to learn more about this. Start ups with 1 or more female founders outperformed all men founding teams by 63% (1) Women receiving VC at the same rate as men could result in a 6% increase to the global economy (2) Women founders created 35% higher returns on investments than men (3) Pic from our event at the wonderful DREAM FACTORY for international women’s day 💜 (1) https://lnkd.in/e_FWiztZ (2) https://lnkd.in/e4hiBUJq (3) https://lnkd.in/e_FWiztZ Jack Baeza Alex Sullivan Dr Kerry Aston Jessica Tooth Holly Lohmeyer Brianna Raymond, MBA Elizabeth Cowper Chartered FCIPD

You can’t be what you can’t see. Representation matters. Young boys have all kinds of role models across all career paths to look up to. Young girls should have the same access to inspiration. To all the amazing women out there who are blazing new paths - keep doing it. Celebrate who you are and what you do. There will be a young girl or woman somewhere who will say to herself “If she could do it, I can too.” At CXXO - A Kalaari Capital Initiative we are looking to invest in enterprising women who are building startups that can scale. If that’s you or you know someone starting out - ask them to email [email protected].

Recognize an ambitious woman by… the shape of her head? 🧠✨🤯 You read that right. Dame Stephanie Shirley, a pioneering tech entrepreneur, in 2015 shared this theory in a witty TEDTalk. And guess what? We couldn’t agree more with her! In this International Women's Day, we honor the spirit of female ambition, resilience, and innovation while reflecting on Dame Shirley’s inspiring journey. In the 1960s, she founded Freelance Programmers, a software company that shattered stereotypes and created unprecedented opportunities for women in an industry dominated by men. But she didn't stop there. She transformed her company into a co-ownership model where not only wealth was shared but also the dream that ambitious women could lead, innovate, and thrive. In fact, she made 70 of her employees millionaires! Her story teaches us that ambition is not solely about personal success; it's about lifting others as we climb. It’s about challenging outdated norms and paving new paths for the future generations. As we celebrate this 8th March, let us draw inspiration from Dame Stephanie Shirley's journey as an ambitious female entrepreneur in tech: https://bit.ly/431WOsG By the way, her head is - 🚨 SPOILER ALERT 🚨 - quite flat. Is yours too? #InternationalWomensDay #8March #FemaleAmbition #Innovation #Equality #Resilience #DameStephanieShirley #TechPioneers #WomenInTech

Good evening everyone. As we mark this November 19, Women's Entrepreneurship Day, we solemnly reflect on this pivotal moment to spotlight the challenges women entrepreneurs face in our ecosystem. Women's Entrepreneurship Day is dedicated to amplifying the visibility of women in entrepreneurship, shedding light on the hurdles they navigate. It is a time for us to actively listen and develop solid ways to work toward true diversity, equity, and inclusion. While we celebrate our many champions and their incredible contributions, we must also acknowledge the persistent barriers that hinder their path. It is our collective responsibility as venture ecosystems specializing in both education and support, to foster an environment where every entrepreneur, regardless of gender, thrives. It is vital that we stand together, elevating and empowering women entrepreneurs, ensuring they have equitable opportunities to succeed. Together, my team and I truly believe that our female colleagues and we their allies can reshape the landscape into a more inclusive and supportive space. --- Steve Vilkas, Chief Ecosystem Officer and the Prepare 4 VC Crew

I chose to write this post because, as I reflect on my journey working in the venture capital industry which tends to be male-dominated, I am often encouraged and inspired by the female entrepreneurs, executives and investors. They juggle their professional and personal lives with grace and resilience. Happy International Women's Day! #womenempowerment #femaleentrepreneur

Is International Women's Day a celebration or wake-up call for you? For me, it's this global shoutout to female empowerment – a reason to celebrate how far we've come. But then, it hits you. It's also a reminder of the mountain of work that is still in front of us. Even more so when you see the eye-opening statistics (Female Founders Monitor, 2022): - Only 20% of startup founders are women - Only 6% of female founders are business angels - Men receive 9x more VC funding than women But what can we do to empower women every day? And while I don't have all the answers, I took a first step. A few years ago, I started mentoring.  Through mentoring programs like FEMSTORY and 2hearts, I met wonderful and inspiring women. Women that truly lift each other up! But not only grand gestures make a difference, also small ones count: - Reminding someone of her true potential - Making an intro to someone who can be an inspiration or a role model - Encouraging someone who is afraid to take the next step in her career Everybody can make a difference. P.S.: What are you doing to make a difference?

⭐ On this International Women's Week, let's turn the spotlight on the incredible female founders who are shaping the future of tech. Their journey is not just about entrepreneurship; it's about resilience, leadership, and paving the way for others. We're proud to showcase the stories of these inspiring women who have turned their visions into reality, overcoming obstacles and redefining success in the tech industry. As we celebrate their accomplishments, let's commit to supporting and uplifting more women in tech entrepreneurship. 🚀 Tag a female founder who inspires you and let's continue championing diversity in the entrepreneurial landscape! #FemaleFounders #WomenInTech #InternationalWomensDay