Gender Inequity in Entrepreneurship: Understanding Barriers, Boundary Conditions, and Opportunities

Abstract

Achieving gender equity in entrepreneurship is a pressing societal concern. A growing number of studies have provided consistent evidence for gender disparities and barriers for female entrepreneurs. Yet, research also suggests that under certain conditions, tied to the unique features of the entrepreneurship context, there may also be a female advantage in venture evaluations and funding outcomes. In this symposium, we hone in on this burgeoning line of inquiry by bringing together four presentations that investigate when and why a female (dis)advantage emerges, and how certain features of this context help to mitigate gender bias. Based on a diverse array of methods (archival, experimental, and video metrics) and samples (angel investors, accelerators, and cofounders), the presentations highlight novel mechanisms underlying gender bias in entrepreneurship settings. Overall, this symposium aims to 1) offer actionable insights for recognizing and addressing gender bias in entrepreneurship and 2) identify new directions for gender research more broadly. Women Entrepreneurs Don’t Ask (For Enough) in the Entrepreneurial Negotiation Process? Presenter: Anyi Ma; Tulane U. The Effects of Masculinity Displays by Female Entrepreneurs on Venture Evaluation Presenter: Soojin Oh; Pennsylvania State U. Presenter: Aparna Joshi; Penn State Smeal College of Business How the Functional Titles of Male and Female Cofounders Affect Funding in Mixed-Gender Founding Team Presenter: Steven Gray; U. of Texas at Austin Presenter: Melanie Milovac; INSEAD “Gender Diversity Matching” Helps Ventures Raise Funding: Evidence from a Natural Experiment Presenter: Dana Kanze; London Business School Presenter: Alessandro Piazza; Rice U.