It's time to invest in women, who hold up half the sky

A Fast Company Impact Council piece argues that women entrepreneurs face a persistent, structural funding gap that is not explained by lower business potential. It notes the World Bank’s 2017 estimate that the global financing gap for women entrepreneurs was $1.7 trillion annually, and says the shortage remains nearly a decade later. The article links the gap to barriers in access to appropriate financial products and to limited networks for capital, mentorship, and markets. It cites MAD Ventures research claiming women-founded startups generate 78 cents of revenue per dollar raised versus 31 cents for startups founded by men. It also highlights that women reinvest up to 90% of earnings back into families and communities, extending benefits beyond revenues.