Venture capital industry still a boys' club
Venture capital industry still a boys' club
Observers say firms' small size discourages institutional change, but it is coming.
"If you thought the glass ceiling was bad in corporate America, take a look at the venture capital world.
As women have made gains in the executive suite, those who dreamed of making venture investing their careers have faced more headwinds.
A study conducted last year found that in 1995 there were 346 "professional women" — partners, principals and associates — making up about 10 percent of the venture capital industry.
By 2000, there were 510, which translated to 9 percent of the industry.
The study also found that 64 percent of female venture capitalists in 1995 were no longer in the industry by 2000, almost double the turnover rate for men. The study was conducted by the Diana Project, which is associated with the Kauffman Foundation, a group that fosters entrepreneurship.
More recent data are not available. But given the post-Internet bubble shakeout in the industry, it is likely that the situation has not improved.
The small number of female investors "says to me that the industry is not necessarily gender neutral, which isn't to say that it's outright discriminatory," said Davia Temin, president of the strategic-marketing firm Temin & Co., whose clients include venture capital firms.
Observers explain the persistence of the gender gap as in some ways a result of the structure of the industry, which is often described as a clubby old boys' network. But they say it is only a matter of time before that gap starts to narrow, given the advantages of a more diverse environment."
Read more here.
Observers say firms' small size discourages institutional change, but it is coming.
"If you thought the glass ceiling was bad in corporate America, take a look at the venture capital world.
As women have made gains in the executive suite, those who dreamed of making venture investing their careers have faced more headwinds.
A study conducted last year found that in 1995 there were 346 "professional women" — partners, principals and associates — making up about 10 percent of the venture capital industry.
By 2000, there were 510, which translated to 9 percent of the industry.
The study also found that 64 percent of female venture capitalists in 1995 were no longer in the industry by 2000, almost double the turnover rate for men. The study was conducted by the Diana Project, which is associated with the Kauffman Foundation, a group that fosters entrepreneurship.
More recent data are not available. But given the post-Internet bubble shakeout in the industry, it is likely that the situation has not improved.
The small number of female investors "says to me that the industry is not necessarily gender neutral, which isn't to say that it's outright discriminatory," said Davia Temin, president of the strategic-marketing firm Temin & Co., whose clients include venture capital firms.
Observers explain the persistence of the gender gap as in some ways a result of the structure of the industry, which is often described as a clubby old boys' network. But they say it is only a matter of time before that gap starts to narrow, given the advantages of a more diverse environment."
Read more here.
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For more information, visit www.EvanCarmichael.com. |
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