Female tech founders don’t come through the front door, especially those who are older than typical “tech bros” and have more experience behind them. That’s why angel investors and VCs should invest in them, writes one such founder, Su Dharmapala.
A successful female start-up founder is the living embodiment of the triumph of hope over adversity. But I was well into my start-up founder journey before I truly understand what that meant.
Don’t get me wrong, as a mature-aged, female, woman of colour tech start-up founder – I knew the odds were stacked against me from the get-go, but I had hoped it would be fair if not easy.
And did I say I am leading a tech-start up in political data? Something no one else has done before? Nor is there even some understanding of what the potential market sizing even amongst niche investors?
Yup that is me and I am a glutton for punishment. Guilty as charged.
I also knew what it would be to face rejection after rejection. As a published author, I knew to expect a wall of naysayers, but I didn’t expect the veritable comedy to shyster investors I would need to pitch to.
Investors who weren’t even interested in listening to me other than the fact that I filled their quota of listening to ‘women of colour’ box that needed to be ticked to meet their annual KPIs. One investor even recommended that I follow the Twitter account of this amazing Sri Lankan -Australian woman he’d heard of who tweeted about politics ..oh what was her name? Yes, something something..Dharmapala. Sri Lankan like you – do you know her?
Yes. I am her.
Been her, since the day I was born.
Tech start-up life is not for the faint hearted. More start-ups go under than any other investment sector in Australia, but I can tell you that investing in mature women-led start-ups is always a good idea and here is why:
- Our start-up ideas are pre-vetted and have had the most rigorous due diligence you can ever have. Why? Because middle-aged women are the most self-critical cohort of humans on the planet. We workshop things and find a million reasons as to why something may not, would not, or could not succeed. So if our start-up ideas have got past our own self-criticism and product-market fit analysis – just wave it through
- We are coachable. Women founders listen to more feedback and pivot more easily to market forces. We are the mothers/sisters/wives of tech dudebros – we know we don’t want to be them. We don’t even want them in our houses.
- We will work and we work hard because we are working for something we believe in. Most of us don’t have a Plan B or Plan C. See point 1 – we ditched Plan A through our own due diligence
- We don’t come through the front door. Look for us at the side stage or around the back in the kitchens. That is because we are where the work needs to be, not just talking the fluff
- We are fun. Most middle-aged women start-up founders I know are a stack of fun. We have been through the wringer a few times and know that if you don’t smile, the other option is tears and we’d much rather not cry.
So my message to you angel investors and VCs is this – go out there and find women to invest in. Older women with complex lives and searing passions. Women with drive. Women with real lived experience of what it is to work for what they want. Women who not only dream big but will work to get it.
Just. Invest. In. Women.
Oh – did I mention I am seeking investment for polipedia.com.au? – You can find me on LinkedIn.