Male segregated networks and the gender funding gap in the access of venture capital – A venture capital perspective
Several studies show the presence of a gender funding gap in the access to venture capital. Recent published articles about this topic found that the funding gap is even more significant in the Netherlands. This thesis aims at providing new insights from a venture capital perspective about why the gender funding gap still ceases to exist. The theory of gender homophily is used in this research to answer several questions regarding the access of venture capital by female entrepreneurs. A focus has been lied down on the deal origination stage since this is the first and a very crucial stage for startups who seek venture capital. On the bases of interviews conducted with six seed and early-stage venture capital firms, this thesis tried to find awareness of the funding gap, new insights and possible countermeasures used in deal origination by venture capitalists. However, none of the interviewees used any countermeasures against gender homophily because the venture capital firms perceive the funding gap differently. They do recognise that women receive significantly less funding but observe that those female entrepreneurs are not underfunded. They argue that the gender gap results from a lack of women in technology and female entrepreneurship. Important further research opportunities have been provided based on these findings.