FairFunders provides a rate-and-review service for female entrepreneurs looking for investment
by Startacus Admin
New platform FairFunders is on a mission to provide female entrepreneurs with the voice and power to access capital in a safe and inclusive environment.
We recently highlighted a number of Women in Tech communities and platforms which all in one way or another are providing empowerment, inspiration & support to female entrepreneurs, innovators & tech workers. Step forward another addition to this list, FairFunders, a recently launched non-profit organisation, whose mission is to provide female and under-represented entrepreneurs with the voice and power to access capital in a safe and inclusive environment.
Inspired by the recent acts of bravery of women who have shared their experiences of unfair treatment at the hands of a number of venture capitalists and well-established companies, a group of entrepreneurial women (we think a co-founder team of 10) have formed FairFunders, aimed at encouraging accountability in the venture capital sector. 
Fairfunders provides a single online platform for entrepreneurs to rate and review their experiences with investors, and whilst serving not only as a transparent resource of information for entrepreneurs raising capital, will also provide a reliable source of feedback for VC's on how they are perceived by underrepresented founders.
Using FairFunders, entrepreneurs can also locate investors who demonstrate values such as diversity, inclusion, dignity, and respect in their investments and interactions with founders.
Investors will expect to find that FairFunders encourages professionalism and a diverse investment portfolio by highlighting those with the best reviews, and provides the feedback necessary to establish new industry guidelines for professional behaviour towards founders.
Kiki Mwiti, founder of Globerly and a FairFunders co-founder, explained, “We want to incentivize correct behaviour and establish best practices. How else would we be catalysts for the equal treatment of our generation of innovators seeking funding, if we didn’t answer our industry’s call-to-action and create a system where we are treated fairly?”
“Each investor plays a huge role in shaping the future of a company, so without information, founders are walking into these relationships blind,” says co-founder Amy Wang (founder of ReHarvest), “FairFunders hosts that information.”
FairFunders is building their list on the YouMeWho platform, a startup also founded by two women, Vivienne Lee and Luping Lin. It is a perfect fit, as YouMeWho’s mission is to let people create actionable lists from comprehensive data sources. In this case, the actions are feedback and rating, and the data source is investors.
“The situation for females and minorities raising funding is difficult for a variety of reasons, and a definite link between culture and environment. I joined in co-founding FairFunders to make a difference, and get more great companies access to the networks and finance they need to bring their ideas to fruition,” says Nuala Murphy, co-founder and advisor to FairFunders, founder of Moment Health, and Regional Leader with the Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation Leanin.org.
Fellow co-founder of FairFunders and a previous Y Combinator alumna Samantha Friedman also said, “Many people are telling us they see the value in FairFunders’ mission, and I believe we will have a lasting positive impact on the fundraising environment for underrepresented founders everywhere.”
FairFunders also have plans to add accelerators and venture capital (VC) firms, to the platform in the future, and to provide a space for candid and productive conversations about sustainable diversity and inclusivity to be fostered.
High fives all round from team Startacus and we look forward to seeing how this rate-and-review platform develops.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
A quick overview of the three most important tech trends that will change the art world in the next decade: Data Quantification, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain.
The startup that's on a mission to mobilise 100,000 young people towards employability and prosperity...
Ignite Accelerator is putting investment-ready tech companies on a global stage thanks to their new San Francisco 'landing pad'.
Exploring how technology is changing the accounting sector and how tech interaction is improving the overall client experience.
The lowdown on InsurTech startup Waggel that's created an innovative new digital pet insurance for pet people...
PropTech startup Vesta, a marketplace for buying and selling residential investment properties with tenants in place, aims to build on early success by fundraising £750k in investment.
The lowdown on the award winning Scottish startup and its innovative health monitoring device
The children's toys that burst to life with your smartphone or tablet through the magic of augmented reality...
The agtech startup that's using IoT technology to help beekeepers and in turn help us all!
Published on: 1st September 2017
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- IgniteNI Accelerator to offer startups San Francisco landing pad 14th Dec 2018 Ignite Accelerator is putting investment-ready tech companies on a global stage thanks to their new San Francisco 'landing pad'.
- Falmouth University Launchpad incubates tech legacy 7th Dec 2018 Developed by Falmouth University in Cornwall, Launchpad is an innovative, post-grad incubation and acceleration programme. We take a look at some of the previous Launchpad alumni.
- Ignite Accelerator 2019 opens for North East England startups 16th Nov 2018 North East of England entrepreneurs and startups take note! The Ignite accelerator, a 6 month remote accelerator for MVP stage founders or teams is back.
- Blockchain lab for startups StateZero Labs to offer £50k equity-free 15th Nov 2018 London-based StateZero Labs, the world’s first dedicated Blockchain Lab for startups, will be opening its doors to six selected startups as part of its first cohort in January 2019.
