"In an open-ended question about fundraising, one founder described how, in San Francisco, "every single straight male investor I talked to propositioned me for sex." Another person recalled the investor who asked her if she'd rather have $1 million or a man, and a third woman said she wears a fake wedding ring during investor meetings to ward off their advances."
"The survey, an online form that remained open between February and March, received responses from 180 early-stage female founders in North America. Eight women detailed what they described as harassment, being hit on, or being demeaned by investors while seeking funding. Of those eight, three said they were propositioned for sex. They described a cutthroat fundraising environment rife with unwanted advances."
A survey of 180 early-stage female founders in North America collected open-ended responses about fundraising challenges. Eight respondents described alleged harassment, being hit on, or being demeaned by investors while seeking funding, and three said they were propositioned for sex. Reported behaviors included investors propositioning founders, asking demeaning hypothetical questions, and prompting founders to wear fake wedding rings to deter advances. Some founders now limit meetings with male investors or target only male investors who specialize in their verticals. Some anonymized remarks were shared with a news outlet; two founders spoke on the record, and other identities were not independently verified.
Read at Business Insider
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