How Women Invest

How Women Invest is a venture capital firm dedicated to transforming the venture capital ecosystem by investing exclusively in high-potential women-led startups, with a strong focus on women of color. Their mission is to empower female founders by providing capital, mentorship, and access to a vast network of over 25,000 female executives and entrepreneurs, aiming to drive transformative change in sectors that shape how we live, work, and promote human and environmental health[1][2][3]. The firm seeks significant returns for investors while prioritizing entrepreneurs and fostering a more equitable funding landscape.

Founded in 2020, How Women Invest was created by Julie Castro-Abrams, founder of How Women Lead, alongside key partners like Erika Cramer. The organization evolved from a broader mission to disrupt systemic inequities in venture capital by activating women investors and supporting underrepresented female founders. Their approach leverages a community-driven model that combines diverse investor backgrounds and operational expertise to source deals and provide ongoing support to portfolio companies[2][3][4].

Core Differentiators

• Exclusive focus on women-led startups, particularly women of color, addressing a historically underfunded segment.
• Community-driven investment model leveraging a network of 25,000+ female executives and entrepreneurs for deal sourcing and mentorship.
• Dual mission: increasing the number of female investors while backing female founders to create systemic change.
• Operating support includes mentorship, resources, and advocacy to help portfolio companies scale.
• Commitment to diversity and equity as a strategic advantage in identifying innovative startups.

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

How Women Invest rides the growing trend of gender lens investing and the increasing recognition that diverse leadership drives better innovation and returns. The timing is critical as women-led startups historically receive only about 2% of venture capital dollars despite rising successful exits, signaling a market inefficiency ripe for disruption[3]. By mobilizing female investors and focusing on women founders, the firm influences the broader ecosystem to become more inclusive, equitable, and aligned with emerging social and environmental priorities.

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, How Women Invest aims to expand its community of first-time female investors and increase its fund size to further scale its impact. Trends such as increased wealth among women, growing awareness of investment inequities, and demand for mission-driven startups will shape its journey. The firm’s influence is likely to grow as it continues to redefine venture capital norms, fostering a more diverse and sustainable startup ecosystem.

---

This summary highlights How Women Invest’s mission to reshape venture capital by empowering women as both investors and founders, its unique community-driven model, and its strategic role in advancing diversity and innovation in tech and beyond.