Munich Startup: In 2020, you conducted a research project together with IUBH on the topic of 'Female Business Angels in Germany.' How many female business angels were there at that time?
Svenja Lassen: At that time, the figures for Germany hadn't yet been collected and weren't clear. Based on various studies, we assumed eight percent—far too low. This impression was confirmed at all events and in the media: female business angels were rarely encountered. At Gateway Ventures, the proportion of female investors was only four percent. I therefore saw an urgent need to increase this number.
Lowering the barrier for potential business angels
Munich Startup: The study gave rise to the mission #25to25. What is your goal?
Svenja Lassen: The study initially led to the creation of the Female Investors Network (FIN) in 2020 as an open contact point for active angel investors and women who want to become angel investors. Our goal was to reduce the barriers to entry into the Startup investment scene To reduce the risk and provide transparent information about the topic, thus motivating more women. We then launched the mission #25to25 in 2021. The goal: 25 percent of women in the startup scene by 2025, both among founders and investors. But we can only achieve this together. Therefore, every player in the ecosystem is called upon to support this mission and do their part.
Munich Startup: Where are you today, what have you already achieved?
Svenja Lassen: The proportion of female investors in Germany is now at 13.6 percent, a significant increase, but of course still not enough. That's why we launched the FIN Academy in 2022, a training program for women who want to become business angels. We won the 'Female Finance Award' from FOCUS Money this year for this. The fifth Academy is currently underway. We have already trained 136 graduates, some of whom are already investing – which, of course, makes us very proud.
Munich Startup: You're currently working on another study. Who should participate and what do you want to find out?
Svenja Lassen: This is not a new study, but rather an update of our 2020 study. We want to find out what has already been done and improved in the past three years. Which measures, initiatives, and networks have driven positive change? But we also want to know where there is still a need for action and what women who are investing or want to invest specifically need.
Where is action needed?
Munich Startup: In your opinion, what is still missing to improve the situation?
Svenja Lassen: Of course, there are many more women who are interested in becoming business angels and thus having a direct influence on innovation and the future. But of course, there is also a lack of partners and supporters who can implement projects like the FIN Academy, so that even more interested women can be trained.
And we need more men who also don't accept the imbalance and are committed to change, because we all benefit from more diversity in the ecosystem. We simply need diverse perspectives to make good decisions together.
Right now, we need women interested in finance to improve this, and to take a few minutes to to take part in our update study and give their opinionThis way, we know what we can and must implement in the future to make the investment scene more female-oriented in the long term.
