Women driving impact through investment
Women in venture capital and entrepreneurship aren’t just building businesses and writing cheques, they’re reshaping systems, breaking down barriers, and lifting others along the way.
Friday 7 March 2025
We’re so grateful for the many inspiring women in our ecosystem who are driving change. As investors backing underrepresented founders, entrepreneurs solving global challenges, and as leaders making space for the next generation. Their work proves that impact and profit aren’t mutually exclusive, and that success isn’t just about individual achievement, but about creating opportunities for others.This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the women of Wade who are leading the way in investment – sharing their perspectives on what it takes to create a more inclusive, impactful, and successful investment ecosystem.Backing bold ideas and big problemsFor Rachel Yang, Partner at Giant Leap, and regular Wade Institute speaker, investing is about more than financial returns, it’s about tackling the world’s most urgent challenges.“We back mission-driven founders solving the world’s most pressing problems,” she says.Giant Leap is Australia’s first VC fund dedicated to impact investing, and for Rachel, investing in women-led and purpose-driven businesses is more than just the right thing to do, it’s a commercially sound strategy.“When impact is embedded in the business model, every dollar of revenue is critical to creating a unit of impact down the line. Solving big problems creates big commercial opportunities, and you don’t have to trade one off for the other.”Investing in women, investing in the futureOne of the biggest challenges for women founders is accessing capital. Catherine Robson, Chair of Scale Investors and a VC Catalyst alumna, knows that funding women-led startups is about creating a future that reflects the world we want to live in.“The best way to prove that it’s a good idea to invest in women is to actually generate fantastic returns,” she says.But for that to happen, investors need to actively challenge their biases – especially when it comes to what types of businesses they back.“There’s a perception that female founders are all shopping apps or direct-to-consumer brands. But maybe you just haven’t seen a female founder who’s a nuclear physicist yet – it doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”From founder to investor: the power of perspectiveMany of the women in our ecosystem have moved from being founders to becoming investors themselves, using their lived experience to back the next wave of entrepreneurs.Jodie Imam, Co-Founder of Tractor Ventures, VC Catalyst alumna and VC Catalyst speaker, stepped into investing after years as a founder, developing an investment thesis that aligned with her personal values.“I want to invest in startups that help women and girls achieve financial independence and freedom,” she says.Her approach? Backing businesses that increase financial security for women – whether through income opportunities, savings, or business growth.“There is no shortage of great startups tackling these issues. I can’t wait to support the next generation.”Creating space for women at every stageInvesting in women isn’t just about funding female-led startups – it’s about ensuring women have access to networks, mentorship, and decision-making power in the investment space.Emma Ball, Head of Illumina for Startups Australia, and VC Catalyst alumna, sees firsthand how a lack of women in investment roles can limit opportunities for female founders – especially those working in traditionally male-dominated industries like biotech and deep tech.“An important solution to the gender imbalance in VC is more women investors,” she says.She’s seen how male-dominated investment panels can overlook ideas that serve women’s health and wellbeing – not because they lack potential, but because decision-makers don’t have personal experience with the problems they solve.“I’ve been really heart-warmed recently to witness investment panels at conferences that were all-female. It’s nice to see things starting to change.”The power of community: women lifting womenOne of the most powerful ways to change the investment and entrepreneurship landscape is through networks that actively support women.Susan Oliver AM, co-founder of Scale Investors, and VC Catalyst alumna has spent decades backing women in startups, helping to create an investment network where women don’t just pitch for capital – they receive mentorship, advice, and long-term support.“When I walked into the VCs, I was so far away from being ready for VC capital – but where could I go? The only angel groups around were boys’ clubs. That’s why Scale was formed: to be a friendly place where women can get the support they need.”For Susan, investment isn’t just about writing cheques – it’s about ensuring women get the mentorship, resources, and networks they need to succeed.“What I’d like to see is not just more money going to women-led businesses, but better publicity – so their stories are seen and heard.”What’s next? Turning momentum into lasting changeWhile women are making strides in investment and entrepreneurship, barriers remain. The funding gap is still wide, and systemic biases persist. But as more women step into investment roles, back each other’s ventures, and push for systemic change, we are seeing momentum build.We’re committed to being part of that change – our programs consistently average 60% women participants, and we continue to support networks, learning opportunities, and funding pathways that empower women.The women in our community are building, investing, and pushing boundaries every day. The best way to celebrate them? Keep the momentum going. Back their businesses. Invest in their ideas. Amplify their voices. And never stop making space for more.
VC Catalyst at Wade Institute
VC Catalyst is our immersive program for active investors to gain best practice tools and skills to make more successful venture capital investment decisions, delivered at Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship.