Throughout my years in the world of entrepreneurship and investments, whether in venture capital funds, on boards of directors, or at innovation events, women were almost never in the room.
This is not just a personal impression.
As of 2025, women hold only about 15% of partner positions in venture capital funds worldwide, and only a small portion of these funds were founded by women.
The situation in Israel is similar. Around 40% of funds do not have a single female partner, and only about 10% of start-ups are led by women. In other words, the overwhelming majority of capital still flows to men, and the road to equality feels long.
Women overlooked in investments
When the investment table is almost entirely male, money flows mainly to areas familiar to them. This means that sectors connected to women are significantly overlooked, receiving neither the attention nor the resources they deserve.
Women make up half of the global population and consume more healthcare services than men. Yet, the fem-tech sector is almost entirely pushed to the margins, as though it does not exist in the investment discourse. The result is twofold: on one hand, the loss of vital developments that could improve the lives of billions of women, and on the other, the missed opportunity of a massive business potential.
Missing from tech
A similar pattern can be seen in deep tech. Female founders in fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology are an extreme minority among entrepreneurs. Consequently, investments in ventures they lead are smaller compared to those of their male peers, and the companies they establish struggle to reach advanced funding rounds. Even when they do succeed in raising capital, it is usually at lower sums and valuations.
The current reality will not change on its own. If we continue to rely on so-called “natural trends,” change will come too slowly and the gaps will remain. What is needed is a deliberate shift; investment funds must set clear goals for female representation, and business entities must ensure a meaningful presence of women at every decision-making table.
Studies already show that when even one female partner is present in a fund, the likelihood of investing in women entrepreneurs rises significantly.
We must break the glass ceiling
In other words, this is not only about social or gender justice, but also about a proven strategy that creates economic value. We can already see how small proactive steps, such as ensuring female representation in events and panels, or creating dedicated programs for women founders, are beginning to reshape reality.
The inclusion of more women in key positions is as much an economic necessity as it is a matter of equality. As long as women are not a substantial part of investment circles, the innovation industry will continue to miss out on ideas, products, and entire markets.
If we want a truly healthy ecosystem, one that identifies new opportunities and reflects the needs of society as a whole, we must break the glass ceiling not only for women entrepreneurs but for the economy at large.
The writer is vice president for investments and innovation at CivicLabs, founder of Leap Startups, and a Technion alumnus.