Challenges Faced by Women Founders
A growing list of disappointing things founders who happen to be women experience…
- Attending an event for founders and being THE only woman in a sea of at least 30 other men
- Not getting an investment because the investor wanted to ask you out on a date instead
- Getting told to lower your voice so people take you more seriously
- Advised to add male colleagues on the ‘team’ pitch deck for more ‘credibility’
- Getting introduced as "a female founder" (instead of just... founder)
- After multiple meetings, while talking straight at you, the CEO, they ask: “Ok who’s your CEO again? It’s [male colleague’s name] right?”
- Addressed with a male name over your actual name (e.g. I'm called Mike instead of Mika… on email!)
- Assumed as “non-technical” despite building the product
- Being mistaken for the EA or notetaker at your own company demo
- Attending meetings where every technical question is directed to your male teammate — who then politely points it back to you
These are real stories, experienced by myself or other founders I know.
In honor of International Women’s month coming to close, I hope we do better.