Startup Ideas for Women: Breaking Barriers and Overcoming Challenges
Women have always faced unique barriers and obstacles when starting up a business. But in the 21st century, more and more opportunities are becoming available for female entrepreneurs, who have the audacity to bravely break barriers and overcome the challenges. This article looks at some of the more successful and innovative startup ideas for women – from tech entrepreneurs to fashion-based solutions – that demonstrate the groundbreaking and profitable potential achievable by strong-minded female entrepreneurs.
Startup Ideas for Women
Women are making their presence felt as successful entrepreneurs, and with more doors opening each day this trend is only continuing to grow. The number of female-led companies in the United States rose by 53.4% between 2007 and 2018, according to Fortune. And around the world, females now make up 40% of all entrepreneurs in some OECD nations, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. Even more impressively, a 2019 study, conducted by First Round Capital, showed that companies with a female founder outperformed all-male founding teams by 63% when it came to revenue growth. Whatever the field, it’s clear that women are proving their mettle in the world of startups.
Tech Startups for Women
Speaking of tech, women are making a giant leap forward when it comes to digital startups. Female-led companies account for 11.2% of the startup market, almost double what it was ten years ago, according to Crunchbase. Here are some tech-based startups pioneered by women that are breaking new ground:
• Bento: Founded in 2017, Bento is a cloud-based HR, payroll, and benefits platform focused on small businesses and startups. Bento is the brainchild of Siqi Chen, who developed the platform when she saw a gap in the market.
• Piper Planet: Founded by engineers and former NASA fellows, Piper Planet is a STEM-based toy and educational platform aimed at inspiring girls to pursue coding and engineering. Their product is a Raspberry Pi-based laptop designed for young minds, allowing them to explore science, engineering, and coding in a safe, controlled environment.
• Mariposa Technologies: This startup provides a cloud-based platform tailored to the needs of farmers. The service covers everything from harvesting to fertilizer recommendations to climate reports. The company was founded by Simran Kaur, an MIT Sloan School of Management MBA graduate.
• Neon AI: This startup is the brainchild of longtime friends Saira Hussain and Tasneem Yakub. Neon AI provides cognitive AI solutions for enterprise networks, and the founders are recruiting a diverse workforce in order to ensure their product caters to the needs of customers from all backgrounds.
Health & Beauty-Based Startups
The health and beauty sector is booming, especially with the rise of online startups. Here are three startups that are revolutionizing the way women look at beauty and health:
• Glossier: Founded by Emily Weiss in 2014, Glossier is an online beauty retailer offering skincare and makeup products, as well as expert advice. Weiss eventually opened the first brick-and-mortar Glossier store in the heart of New York City in November 2018.
• BloomThat: Founded in 2014, this flower delivery start-up was co-founded by David Bladow and Chad Powell. BloomThat has revolutionized the flower delivery process with same-day delivery and guarantees against wilted flowers.
• Keeps: Keeps is an online startup focused on providing hair loss treatments to women. Founded by Demetri Karagas, it is the first company to offer female-focused hair loss treatments tailored specifically for women’s needs.
Investment & Financial Startups
Finance-focused startups are still a relatively new concept, creating more opportunity for women to make waves. Here are three entrepreneurs currently making a big impact in the finance industry:
• Acorns: Founded in 2014 by Jeff Cruttenden, Acorns is an online investment platform aimed at helping individuals invest their spare change into diversified investments. One of the key people behind this venture was Jeanine Hsu, who became Chief Growth Officer in 2018.
• Ellevest: Founded by Sallie Krawcheck in 2016, Ellevest is an investment platform tailored to the unique needs of women. It provides personalized advice and helps women manage their finances to achieve financial goals that may differ from those of men.
• Stash: Stash is an app that simplifies investing. Founded in 2015 by Brandon Krieg and Ed Robinson, Stash has become a go-to platform for robo-advisor services and stock trading. In 2018, former Vice President of Google, Cheryl Sandberg joined Stash’s Board of Directors.
Fashion Startups
A growing number of women are starting up their own businesses in the fashion industry. Here, female founders are using innovation to create apparel that is both fashionable and functional, and transform their favorite niche into an incredibly successful venture.
• Lively: Founded by Michelle Cordeiro Grant in 2015, Lively is a lingerie and sleepwear brand catering to female athletes. The brand emphasizes comfort, while still offering stylish options. Lively has become popular among athletes who want support and comfort while being active.
• Rent the Runway: This fashion rental startup was developed by Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss in 2009. It provides designer dress rentals in a variety of sizes, with no long-term commitments.
• ELOQUII: Launched by Mariah Chase and J. Nicole January in 2011, ELOQUII is a plus-size fashion line offering stylish options for all body types. The company has become incredibly successful over the years and is now one of the leading plus-size designer labels in the industry.
The examples above show that there are plenty of high-potential startup ideas for women. The best part is that they’re not limited to tech-related ventures, as health and beauty, fashion and finance industries also offer significant opportunities. Those brave enough to take a risk can break through existing traditions and forge a path of success, with the potential to generate a fulfilling and profitable outcome -and become an inspiration for other women.
