the german survey s corresponding figures are respectively and external equity capital box can be instrumental in financing certain types of innovation but women entrepreneurs lower access to these sources can affect their innovation capacity a growing body of research demonstrates the critical role that social networks play in the funding and success of highgrowth ventures stuart and sorenson accordingly when female entrepreneurs seek capital from other women they are more likely to be successful beckerblease and sohl while the venture and angel capital industries are still maledominated box