Episode 8 of Founder Files features Cypher Founder and CEO Salma Hatim sitting down with LatelyAI Co-founder and CEO Kate Bradley Chernis. These are just two women who are part of a much larger wave of successful female entrepreneurs, and their conversation sheds light on what it takes to succeed in a playing field that still isn’t level.
A Sad Reality
Even in today’s world, venture capital favors male-led startups, while female founders continue to face systemic challenges in securing funding. Despite these hurdles, women are launching businesses at unprecedented rates, with women-owned startups accounting for 49% of all new businesses in 2024, up from 29% in 2019. Yet, female-only founding teams received just 2.3% of global venture capital funding in 2024.
This disparity illustrates how female founders like Salma and Kate have strategically maneuvered around systemic funding inequalities, not by waiting for permission, but by mastering the levers of their own growth through savvy capital allocation, tech-forward operations, and relentless execution.
The Funding Gap is a Persistent Challenge
Despite the growing number of women-led startups, the imbalance in venture capital allocation remains stark. All-male founding teams received 83.6% of global VC funding in 2024, a signal that bias over merit is still driving decisions.
This imbalance is not correlated whatsoever to performance: studies show that female-led firms outperform their male counterparts. Research indicates that female-led tech teams generate 35% higher return on investment and female-founded firms backed by VC firm First Round Capital, for example, performed 63% better than their male counterparts.
Strategic Finance as a Tool for Empowerment
Salma and Kate built and scaled companies on their own terms, exercising sharp, unapologetic decision-making and a deep understanding of how to fund and lead their companies. Despite structural barriers baked into the funding ecosystem, they’ve carved out enduring growth paths with operational efficiency and financial independence.
As Kate bluntly put it after confronting a rude and dismissive male investor:
"You can be helpful by never ever doing this to another entrepreneur again."
This defiant mindset defines the way both founders approach business.
LatelyAI turns proprietary AI into performance-driven content by tracking what actually works without guesswork and gimmicks.
Cypher was built to give other founders leverage: outsourced finance operations, fractional CFO support, and cash flow visibility without the burden of full-time hiring.
Together, Salma and Kate embody what happens when female founders control the financial narrative by leading with conviction and sharp execution.
In an environment where female entrepreneurs face unyielding challenges, strategic financial management serves as a form of empowerment. By mastering financial strategies and partnering with financial experts, women can navigate biases, build sustainable businesses, and drive economic growth, hopefully shaping a more equitable entrepreneurial landscape.
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Category |
Details |
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VC Funding Allocation (2024) |
- Female-only founding teams received 2.3% of global VC funding. - All-male teams secured 83.6%. - Mixed-gender teams obtained 14.1%. |
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Average Deal Size |
- Female-only teams: $5.2 million. - Male-only teams: $11.7 million. |
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Common Challenges |
- Investor Bias: Women often face skepticism and are asked risk-focused questions, unlike their male counterparts. - Limited Networks: Access to funding networks remains a hurdle. |
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Strategies for Success |
- Alternative Funding: Leveraging grants, crowdfunding, and angel investors. - Strong Networking: Building robust personal and professional networks. - Financial Acumen: Demonstrating strong financial planning and management skills. |
The Role of Financial Partners
Given the challenges in securing funding, partnering with financial experts can be transformative. Financial partners provide strategic guidance, help optimize operations, and offer insights into financial planning.
Cypher offers tech-driven financial services tailored to startups. By integrating into client teams, Cypher provides personalized, proactive financial support, enabling founders to focus on growth and innovation.
For founders seeking to strengthen their financial strategies, partnering with experts like Cypher can provide the support and insights needed to thrive in today's competitive environment.
From forecasting to fractional CFO support, we give high-growth teams the structure they need to scale on their terms.
🎧 Listen to Kate’s full episode on Founder Files, new episodes drop every Tuesday at 7 AM EST.
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