For Subscribers

Study: Women Angel Investors Are More Cautious Does gender affect how investment decisions are made?

By Gwen Moran Edited by Frances Dodds

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As angel funds--groups of angels pooling their money and making joint investments in a variety of businesses--grow in popularity, two researchers have taken a look at whether gender diversity matters in their investing strategies. The answer, they found, is yes. In their paper, "The Effect of Gender Diversity on Angel Group Investment," Jeffrey E. Sohl, director of the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire's Whittemore School of Business and Economics in Durham, N.H., and John R. Becker-Blease, assistant professor of finance at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Ore., found that women investors are more cautious than men in their investment decisions.

"Women tended to be a little less confident as angel investors than men," Sohl says. As a result, the number of investments made by women angels tends to be lower than those made by men. However, in teams where women comprised more than 10 percent of the investment team, investment levels by women also rose, according to the duo's research.

Sohl is quick to point out that investment levels may be affected by factors like available investable resources, quality of deal flow and individual risk tolerance. In addition, he says that the findings must not be construed to mean that women always invest at a more conservative pace. As the paper notes, "although our data suggests that an entrepreneur is least likely to receive funding from a gender diverse group when women represent a small minority, we cannot speak to the other potential benefits such groups might provide."

Sohl is continuing his research to examine the correlation between gender diversity and investment levels in angel funds. And while he believes this is an important aspect for entrepreneurs to explore, he also maintains that they should be persistent in their quests for funding, even after being turned down.

"If they're not successful, that shouldn't end the process," he says, suggesting that you continue to network and find groups that understand your business, regardless of gender makeup.

Gwen Moran

Writer and Author, Specializing in Business and Finance

GWEN MORAN is a freelance writer and co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans (Alpha, 2010).

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Here's the Exact Amount of Money You Need to Be Wealthy, According to a Charles Schwab Survey

Financial service giant Charles Schwab's annual Modern Wealth Survey reveals some eye-popping numbers.

Business News

Elon Musk Gives One-Sentence Response to Linda Yaccarino Stepping Down as CEO of X

Linda Yaccarino announced on Tuesday that she was leaving her role as X's chief executive.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Growing a Business

He Went From Customer to CEO of a Rapidly-Expanding Dessert Chain By Following This Process

Neil Hershman built his expansion playbook by perfecting a single store, then replicating what worked across the franchise system without sacrificing customer experience.

Business News

Goldman Sachs Reportedly Requires Loyalty Oaths From Junior Bankers to Stop Private Equity Poaching

The investment bank wants to confirm that analysts haven't lined up job offers from other firms.