Moving Beyond Token Diversity in Fintech and Fundraising | Fund F | FF Virtual Arena #333

The conversation around gender diversity and the voice of women in VC and fundraising, is growing. One such representative of the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs is Nina Wöss, founder of the VC firm, Fund F.

But how do we move beyond tokenism, what are its various strengths and what can be done to solve the problems that exist in fundraising for all founders.

To find out more, we spoke to Nina Wöss in this edition of FF Virtual Arena.

Birth of Fund F

First, we find out more about Nina’s skills. His interest in early-stage investing began with his early experience in venture capital. It was here, of course, that he learned more about the gap that persists between men and women, in the tech and venture capital sector. He joined Women Womencommunity focused on promoting women entrepreneurs, and later Fund FThe finance company was founded two years ago to support women-led startups.

Advantages and Challenges of Gender-Diverse Teams

Gender diversity isn’t just about ticking boxes, there are additional benefits within startup teams. Wöss explains that products created by startups must reflect the diverse users they serve, making it important for diverse voices to be represented in technology teams. Second, he confirms that research has always shown that different teams are more homogeneous in terms of productivity and business performance. For him, the difference between men and women is not only a matter of culture but also of financial considerations.

Ali Paterson also raises a concern shared by many: tokenism in the industry, where women or minority speakers are often invited to talk about things other than their actual expertise. Nina shares her frustration, noting that despite her extensive experience in venture capital, she is often asked to sit on various panels. He advocates for inclusive spaces where diversity is embedded in the context of dialogue, rather than symbolic expression.

But fundraising is harder than ever, especially for early-stage startups, who often face long investment cycles. Female designers, many of whom are first-timers, face additional challenges. Despite the challenges, he believes that talented founders will always be able to raise money. This is where Fund F plays a role, often acting as a lead driver and helping startups put together a funding round.

The Effect of Winter Fundraising

We also find out more about recent developments in the fundraising space. The recent “winter fundraising” has changed the startup landscape, with many founders taking a more capital-first approach. Nina is cautiously optimistic that the lessons learned in difficult times will remain. He reflects on past deals, such as e-scooter and food delivery startups, where profits were often overlooked, and expects more activity in the future. However, he notes that entrepreneurs still find it easy to raise money based on reputation alone, a luxury not available to most startups.

In response to some of these challenges, Fund F takes an investment approach but places a high value on sectors such as health tech and fintech. Financial inclusion is a key focus of Fund F, specifically about how women interact with the financial system – saving, investing, and building personal wealth. Even before closing the deal in this area, Nina is optimistic about the opportunities it offers.

Results of Fund F

Of course, this is not their only opinion. When asked what Fund F looks for in founders, Nina emphasizes resilience, charisma, and strong communication skills. He also values ​​empathy and the ability to communicate the first problem that is being solved. Nina believes that the startup team’s ability to communicate their vision to investors, employees, and customers is critical to their success.

Nina concludes by discussing the long term Fund F hopes to achieve. She envisions a future where women-led startups create a virtuous circle—achieving unicorn status, bringing wealth to their founders and employees, and reinvesting in new startups. At Fund F, the difference is not only in the initial team but also extends to the composition of the company’s board and the cap table. The goal is to create lasting change in the business ecosystem by supporting diverse teams that can inspire future generations.

It’s an insightful interview, so be sure to watch the full video above, and check out our other goodies. Vadivelu Comedy Virtual Arena interview on our website.