Women Funding Women: Driving AI innovation with $1M for female entrepreneurs
Women Funding Women: Driving AI innovation with $1M for female entrepreneurs
The program is the first of its kind to connect women entrepreneurs with top-tier women investors to address the funding gap in AI.
The Women Funding Women initiative is breaking barriers in the tech world, offering a $1M investment to support women-led AI startups. Led by prominent figures like Gili Elkin (Founder & Managing Partner, ICI Fund), Hila Rom (Founder & Managing Partner, RUNI Ventures), Noa Tamir (CEO, Calcalist), and Tami Giniger and Tal Sheratzki-Jaffa (Co-founders, VCA Academy), the program is the first of its kind to connect women entrepreneurs with top-tier women investors to address the funding gap in AI.
“Our goal is to support women CEOs driving technological advancements that redefine the future,” says Gili Elkin.
Despite delivering a 35% higher return on investment (ROI), women-led startups receive significantly less funding than their male counterparts. The initiative exclusively targets AI ventures, reflecting the potential of artificial intelligence to transform industries like healthcare, finance, and energy. By focusing on female leadership in this critical domain, the program aims to foster diversity in the development and application of groundbreaking technologies.
“AI has the potential to revolutionize industries and improve countless aspects of our lives,” explains Hila Rom. “By backing women entrepreneurs, we ensure this critical technology reflects a broader range of insights and leadership.”
Selected proposals will be evaluated based on technological innovation, scalability, and their potential to address pressing challenges. Shortlisted entrepreneurs will present their plans to a panel of esteemed judges, including VCA members with the winning founder receiving $1M to scale her venture and accelerate her business goals.
“Women-led startups represent untapped opportunities in high-growth markets,” says Gili Elkin. “This initiative is about backing exceptional entrepreneurs who have the vision and capability to build game-changing businesses and deliver strong returns.”
Applications are open until February 4, 2025.
