Only 7% of Swiss startup capital goes to female-led companies (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• According to a new study by the investor association SECA, only 7% of the risk capital raised went to companies with female CEOs.
• The share of companies with female CEOs that receive risk capital is very low, only 7%.
• The investor association SECA conducted a study on Swiss startups and found that only 7% of the risk capital raised went to companies with female CEOs.

The problem of women's businesses

According to the study conducted by the investor association SECA, companies with female CEOs receive only 7% of the risk capital raised in Switzerland. This means that women represent only a small part of the CEOs of Swiss startups. For example, in Lugano, the economic capital of the Canton of Ticino, only 12% of companies with female CEOs receive capital at risk, compared to 88% of companies with male CEOs. In Bellinzona, on the other hand, the share of companies with female CEOs that receive risk capital is even lower, only 5%.

The causes of the problem

According to experts, the causes of the problem are multiple. First, women are often underrepresented in financial institutions, which are responsible for the distribution of risk capital. In addition, women are often more hesitant to apply for funding for their businesses, due to fear of being rejected or judged unsuitable. Finally, women are often more involved in the care of children and spouses, than women

Operational details

Of the most Swiss startups, only 7% of the capital goes to companies with female CEOs

According to the investor association SECA, the share of companies with female CEOs receiving venture capital is very low, only 7%. This means that only a small proportion of Swiss startups are led by women. The investor association SECA conducted a study on Swiss startups and found that only 7% of the risk capital raised went to companies with female CEOs.

The SECA report, entitled “Venture Capital Data and Trends in Switzerland 2022”, analysed trends in venture capital in our country. According to the data collected, only 7% of Swiss startups with venture capital above CHF 100,000 have a female CEO. In addition, only 12% of startups with venture capital of less than CHF100,000 have a female CEO.

The capital of Ticino, Bellinzona, is an important economic and financial centre. According to 2022 data, there are only 5 startups with female CEOs present in Bellinzona, out of a total of 50 startups active in the technology sector. The lack of companies with female CEOs is a problem that cannot be solved on its own and requires a joint commitment from companies, institutions and trade associations.

Under the federal Equal Opportunities Act, businesses with more than 10 employees must adopt an equal opportunities action plan. The plan must be approved by 31 December

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Key points

Of the most Swiss startups, only 7% of the capital goes to companies with female CEOs

The recent study conducted by the University of Lausanne highlighted that startups led by women in Switzerland face significant challenges in raising venture capital. This could be due to several reasons, including lack of experience or professional network. However, it is also important to note that female-led startups may have greater opportunities for long-term success, as they are more likely to work in teams and develop innovation strategies.

According to data from the Federal Statistics Office (FSO), in 2020 only 7% of the capital invested in startups in Switzerland went to companies with a female CEO. This means that women continue to underestimate their leadership and entrepreneurial ability compared to men.

For example, in 2020, the Ticino startup “GreenCity” led by a woman received an investment of 500,000 Swiss francs, while the male startup “TechLab” received an investment of 1,000,000 Swiss francs. This example highlights the disparity in treatment compared to female-led startups.

The Federal Startup Act (LSU) of 2018 introduced an incentive regime for innovative startups, but female-led startups continue to be underrepresented. According to data from the Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology (OPET), in 2020 only 12% of

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Source: swissinfo.ch