(The Tennessean) While the climate for women in the tech startup world has improved, it has a long way to go. In Tennessee, however, female entrepreneurs continue to have strong success in a variety of different industries, and in all stages of their careers.
The issue of underrepresentation is not new. The Diana Project, a multi-university analysis of venture capital investments in women-owned companies, began in 1999. That year, companies with women on the executive team pulled in 5 percent of all venture capital dollars. In 2013 that figure rose, but only to just above 15 percent. Those owning biotech companies did the best, followed by health care services, health care-related IT services and consumer products. At the same time, female partners in venture capital companies have declined, which may be affecting the likelihood of funding for female-owned startups and new companies.
Even with this mixed bag of news, the present and future continue to be bright for female entrepreneurs in Tennessee. They’re getting funding, securing agreements with industry partners, picking up awards and much more:
•The founder of BarterSugar, a Memphis B2B-trading business that emerged from Start Co.’sUpstart incubator, is heading south to Chile. Layla Tabatabaie has been accepted to Start-Up Chile in Santiago, so will be delaying her capital-raising efforts for a while.
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