In the entrepreneurial landscape, we’re seeing women founders redefine the rules of the game, smashing through ceilings, and reimagining what success looks like. However, securing funding remains a tough nut to crack for many women-led ventures. It’s like navigating a labyrinth with a blindfold on, where you can’t always see the obstacles before you bump into them.

But there’s good news: resources and funding options specifically designed for women entrepreneurs are on the rise. We’re sharing a hefty list of them here, curated to assist you, an ambitious woman founder, in cutting through the funding maze. It’s about time you get that jetpack to skyrocket your business to the next level.

First things first, you’ll want to check out these angel investment groups and venture capital firms that are on a mission to fuel women-owned startups::

• Female Founders Fund: Pioneers in funding the next generation of female talent, these gals invest in early-stage, women-led companies. 

• BBG Ventures: BBG Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in companies with at least one female founder. 

• Golden Seeds: This is an early-stage investment firm that focuses on women-led companies. They invest in a variety of sectors, including technology, healthcare, and consumer products.

• Women’s Venture Capital Fund: This venture capital firm invests in companies with women founders or in markets that primarily serve women. 

• Female Funders: Female Funders is an angel investment group that focuses on investing in women-led startups. They offer an online investment platform for accredited investors to invest in early-stage companies.

• Portfolia: Portfolia is an investment platform that focuses on investing in women-led companies in the consumer, health, and sustainability sectors. They offer thematic investment funds that allow investors to invest in multiple companies at once.

• Coralus, Formerly SheEO: SheEO is a venture capital firm that provides funding to women-led businesses that are creating positive social and environmental impact. They have a unique funding model that involves a community of “activators” who contribute to a pool of funds that are then distributed to the selected companies.

• The Helm: The Helm is a venture capital firm that invests in women-led companies with a focus on technology, health, and consumer products. They also provide resources and support to help women entrepreneurs succeed.

• Pipeline Angels: Pipeline Angels is a network of women investors that focuses on investing in women and non-binary femme-led businesses. They offer education and resources to both investors and entrepreneurs.

• SoGal Ventures: SoGal Ventures is a global venture capital firm that invests in diverse entrepreneurs, including women and underrepresented founders. They focus on technology, healthcare, and consumer products.

• Backstage Capital: Backstage Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in underrepresented founders, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ founders. They focus on technology startups and offer resources and support to help founders succeed.

• MergeLane: MergeLane is a venture capital firm that invests in high-growth companies with at least one woman in leadership. They offer a four-month accelerator program for companies in their portfolio.

• Astia: Astia is a global organization that invests in high-growth companies with women in leadership roles. They also offer resources, connections, and support to help women entrepreneurs succeed.

• Springboard Enterprises: Springboard Enterprises is a network of investors and entrepreneurs that supports women-led businesses in technology and life sciences. They offer programs and resources to help women entrepreneurs grow their companies.

• 37 Angels: 37 Angels is a community of investors that focuses on investing in early-stage companies with diverse leadership teams. They offer education and resources to both investors and entrepreneurs.

• Kapor Capital: Kapor Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies that create positive social impact. They focus on technology startups led by underrepresented founders, including women.

• Illuminate Ventures: Illuminate Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies with at least one woman in a leadership role. They focus on technology startups and offer resources and support to help founders succeed.

These are just a few examples of angel investment groups and venture capital firms that specialize in investing in women-owned startups. There are many more out there, and it’s worth doing research to find the best fit for your business.

Here are some organizations that supporting women founders:

• National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): An organization that advocates for and supports women entrepreneurs through networking, education, and resources.

• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): A certification organization that connects women-owned businesses with corporate and government contracts.

• The Female Founder Collective (FFC): A network of women-led businesses that promotes female entrepreneurship and provides resources and support to women entrepreneurs.

• Women Who Tech: A global nonprofit that connects and supports women in tech through events, resources, and advocacy.

• Cartier Women’s Initiative: An international business incubation program that supports women entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship, and resources.

• Women’s Venture Fund (WVF): A nonprofit organization that provides funding, training, and support to women entrepreneurs in underserved communities.

• Women’s Startup Lab: A global accelerator program that provides resources, mentorship, and support to women-led startups.

• SoGal Foundation: A nonprofit organization that supports diverse entrepreneurs and investors through education, community, and resources.

• Women’s Capital Connection: A network of women angel investors and venture capitalists that supports women-led startups through funding and mentorship.

• Women’s Angel Investor Network: An organization that connects women angel investors with women-led startups through education, networking, and funding opportunities.

• Women’s Innovation Fund (WIF): A Cisco-sponsored initiative that provides funding and support to early-stage startups with innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges.

• Halcyon Incubator: An incubation program that provides funding, mentorship, and resources to social entrepreneurs who are solving some of the world’s most pressing problems.

• Digitalundivided (DID): A nonprofit organization that supports Black and Latinx women entrepreneurs in the tech industry through education, mentorship, and resources.

• National Women’s Business Council (NWBC): A federal advisory council that provides advice and support to policymakers on issues related to women-owned businesses.

• Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC): A nonprofit organization that provides training, resources, and support to women entrepreneurs in the Midwest.

Additionally, some grant opportunities for women entrepreneurs include:

• Amber Grant: A small business grant for women entrepreneurs that awards $4,000 each month to a different recipient, with one of the monthly recipients receiving an additional $25,000 at the end of the year.

• Open Meadows Foundation Grant: A grant program that provides funding to women-led projects that promote gender, racial, and economic justice.

• Eileen Fisher Grant Program: A grant program that supports women-led businesses that are creating social and environmental change.

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program: A federal program that provides funding to small businesses, including women-owned businesses, for research and development of innovative products and services.

• The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program: A fellowship program that provides women entrepreneurs with mentorship, education, and funding to help grow their businesses.

• WEGG (Women Entrepreneurs GROW Global) Grant Program: A grant program that provides funding to women entrepreneurs who are expanding their businesses internationally.

• FedEx Small Business Grant Contest: A contest that awards funding to small businesses, including women-owned businesses, based on their business plans and potential for growth.

• Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards: An international business incubation program that supports women entrepreneurs through funding, mentorship, and resources.

• PitchHer: A pitch competition that provides funding and resources to women entrepreneurs who are creating innovative products or services.

• Women’s Innovation Fund (WIF) Grants: A Cisco-sponsored initiative that provides funding and support to early-stage startups with innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges.

• National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) Growth Grants: A grant program that provides funding to small businesses, including women-owned businesses, for growth and development.

• Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans and Grants for Women-Owned Businesses: A federal program that provides loans, grants, and other funding opportunities to women-owned small businesses.

The journey to secure funding may feel like a marathon, but with these resources, you’re equipped to close the gender investment gap. By leveraging these treasures, you’re not just one step closer to your entrepreneurial dreams, you’re a rocket ready to launch.

We encourage you to harness these opportunities and conquer the funding game. Your innovative ideas deserve to see the light of day. Buckle up, and get ready to showcase the power of women founders to the world!