Annie Leong’s Post

I feel extremely fortunate to have successful women around me always, from my wife Abigail Weitmann, to leaders of companies where I have invested, either personally or through Champel Capital. Women who are industry leaders, like Aleph Farms entrepreneur Shulamit Levenberg, NEUR.ON founder and CEO Paula Reichenberg, or Laminate Medical Technologies Ltd. co-founder and CEO Tammy Gilon, and others whom I will mention in a soon-to-be-announced new investment. Of course, I could mention many other inspiring women who are thriving in the #startupnation. People have complicated the topic of women's and men's differences too much when, in reality, it has a lot to do with the habits of commitment and sacrifice in their career choices, priorities, and societal expectations. Many individuals, both men and women (though women tend to prioritize it more often), may prioritize their personal lives and well-being over career advancement. Some choose to leave demanding work environments in pursuit of a better work-life balance, especially if they have the financial means to do so. This is a *personal* choice, which may be influenced in the case of women by motherhood, but which in no way implies discrimination. There are *amazing* women, just as there are *amazing* men, everywhere. Of course, when women have a career, they tend to spend/invest more money. So long as they don't forget that they also are mothers who have kids and need to take care of them. That's normal. It's good for them. It's good for their daughters, it's good for their sons, it's good for their partners. It's good for their communities. They're stronger. It's good for our society overall. It's good for the economy. #womeninbusiness #womenatwork #womenfounders #impactinvesting #womeninfinance

Unlock potential by bridging the funding gap for women-led businesses. Women entrepreneurs, especially those who are less represented in the business ecosystem, face significant barriers when it comes to accessing funding. Despite their potential to drive innovation and create impact, they're often overlooked by traditional funding channels. Why does this matter? Because when we exclude women from the entrepreneurial ecosystem, we're not just denying them opportunities; we're stifling progress and perpetuating inequality. It's time to break the cycle and empower women to lead the charge towards a more inclusive and prosperous future. Join us at www.ygap.org/ycapital

🌟 Women Evolve Summit: Empowerment Through Action 🌟 Ladies, it’s time to redefine your path and take control of your future! Join us for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to unlocking your potential and paving the way to success. Whether you’re looking to elevate your financial standing, dive into homeownership, clear your slate, launch your dream business, or expand your professional network, the Women Evolve Summit is your stepping stone. 🗓 Date: Saturday, March 23rd 🕛 Time: Noon to 3 PM 📍 Location: The Still Searching Project What to Expect: • Credit Repair Workshops: Learn how to fix your credit and elevate your financial freedom. • Homeownership Guide: Unlock the secrets to purchasing your dream home. • Expungement Services: Start afresh with our guidance on clearing your record. • Entrepreneurial Spark: Discover how to start your own business in less than 30 days. • Career Networking: A unique opportunity for women with a criminal background to connect with like-minded professionals and open doors to new possibilities. This summit isn’t just an event; it’s a transformational journey designed specifically for women ready to evolve beyond their circumstances. Empower yourself, meet incredible women who share your drive, and take the first step toward the life you deserve. 👭 Bring a friend, or come ready to make new ones. This is more than just a meeting; it’s a movement. RSVP Today: https://bit.ly/womenevolve Let’s rise together, break through barriers, and create a brighter future for ourselves and our communities. #WomenEvolveSummit #Empowerment #NewBeginnings #freeevent #expungement #HomeOwnership #credit #womenempoweringwomen #womenhistorymonth

Smart investors double-down on women; smart women double-down on themselves. I recently attended the Show Her the Money viewing and panel discussion https://lnkd.in/epB3Ump5 hosted by CED (Council for Entrepreneurial Development) and xElle Ventures. Listening to industry experts like the ones on this Milton Institute panel https://lnkd.in/ePN4Yxeg, helped reaffirm some key takeaways: 1) Investing in women is not only business for good, it is good business. Why? First, women are consumers, representing 51% of the population and making 85% of household spending decisions. Secondly, women have money. “Feminization of wealth’ is a trend, and there is a wealth transfer in the realm of $80 trillion from baby boomers to their spouses before going to the children. Having strong women leaders in all aspects of business makes business sense.   2) Women can benefit from being more exposed to and comfortable with asset classes such as angel and venture capital, besides mutual funds and the stock market. That would help us unlock the power of compounding and the Power Law, and to support and influence early-stage organizations. That’s why I’ve joined like-minded leaders and started Ladies Investing Local Angels (Lila) https://lnkd.in/eUSvHFbu. Please join us and our events!   3) Smart women double down on ourselves as founders, investors, advisors and board members – with faith in our capabilities and potential. It’s poignant in the panel discussions, ‘imposter syndrome’ kept coming up - it seems to be a shared affliction even, or especially, amongst most successful women.   On my journey as an angel and VC investor and advisor, I have had to overcome periodic doubts like ‘I’m not a serial entrepreneur’ or ‘I’m not from the bioscience industry’… The positive feedback that I received from founders and investors helped me appreciate the merit of my strengths – being a serial ‘intrapreneur’ in global companies requires highly relevant talents and skills; my expertise transcends industries in building business models and innovating Go-to-market. As on panelist put it aptly, “we don’t need to be empowered, we have the power.”   When we make these double 'double-downs,' we tilt the odds in our favor. #women investing #Angel #VC #female founders #leadership #entrepreneurship

🌟 Women Evolve Summit: Empowerment Through Action 🌟 Ladies, it’s time to redefine your path and take control of your future! Join us for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to unlocking your potential and paving the way to success. Whether you’re looking to elevate your financial standing, dive into homeownership, clear your slate, launch your dream business, or expand your professional network, the Women Evolve Summit is your stepping stone. 🗓 Date: Saturday, March 23rd 🕛 Time: Noon to 3 PM 📍 Location: The Still Searching Project What to Expect: • Credit Repair Workshops: Learn how to fix your credit and elevate your financial freedom. • Homeownership Guide: Unlock the secrets to purchasing your dream home. • Expungement Services: Start afresh with our guidance on clearing your record. • Entrepreneurial Spark: Discover how to start your own business in less than 30 days. • Career Networking: A unique opportunity for women with a criminal background to connect with like-minded professionals and open doors to new possibilities. This summit isn’t just an event; it’s a transformational journey designed specifically for women ready to evolve beyond their circumstances. Empower yourself, meet incredible women who share your drive, and take the first step toward the life you deserve. 👭 Bring a friend, or come ready to make new ones. This is more than just a meeting; it’s a movement. RSVP Today: https://bit.ly/womenevolve Let’s rise together, break through barriers, and create a brighter future for ourselves and our communities. #WomenEvolveSummit #Empowerment #NewBeginnings #freeevent #expungement #HomeOwnership #credit #womenempoweringwomen #womenhistorymonth

(un)Happy #iwd2024 ?! You choose. On one hand, we should be 'happy' with progress, on the other, we should question progress. ASX200 boards have finally achieved 30% of women on boards, but I ask 30% Club UK to change their name to 51% Club, because 1 in 3 is not good enough. I spoke on a 30% Club panel once about the need for greater diversity, ironically I was the only male in a room of 200 women. A stat way back from my XY on Boards (Gen X/Y) days was that listed companies with more women on boards achieved a >30% higher return on equity. Women and girls are 51% of the global population, 85% of household buying decisions are women-led, outperformance metrics are aplenty, let's speak to performance. Female Founders still only receive <3% of Venture Capital, yet 67% of Female-led companies outperform their male counterparts, go figure. Last week a male mate asked me, why do I believe in women so much? I said, because I have a passion for fairness and we've (white males) had our go (with a clenched fist hitting the mahogany, and somewhat f###ed it up), now it's their turn. Women have a more empowering and nurturing leadership, and one of my greatest passions is climate change. And yes, she's called "Mother" Earth because it is she who will nurture her back to her best care. My best boss ever (I call her BBE) was female, my confidants are female, my mentors are female, and I was at SBE Australia Scale Investors Pty Ltd et al in the early days. I'm still also a Female Founder mentor with Inspiring Rare Birds. And I've possibly missed out on a few board roles because I'm the white male and I'm OK with that, we deserve to be put back in our box for once. As I'm in job search mode, I wrote a list of people I should catch up with 2 weeks ago, I looked at it a few moments later, 8 out of 9 were women. I also mentioned in Karen Cohen's post the other day that I will be an ally until we have achieved >50% of female founder funding and women on boards across ASX, LSE, NYSE, NASDAQ listed companies. So, I'm pretty sure I'll die an ally. I'd prefer to celebrate when I'm 82 and still on a handful of boards and advising Aussie Female Founders on international expansion, but I think the latter might be a pipe dream. Be happy about the awareness, be unhappy about progress. The power you have is to choose to do something about it. Here's some ideas for your "to do list" in Q2: 1. support 5 female founders with customer/investor connections; 2. introduce 5 aspiring female directors to directors/chairs of boards; 3. alter your language about diversity for metrics to speak to performance #ifhecanshecan #ifshecanshecan

At the heart of The Collective Summit, a resonating message was echoed by Melissa Grelo serving as a beacon of empowerment and unity for women from all walks of life. It is with profound earnestness and a shared spirit of sisterhood that we heed this call—a tapestry woven from the myriad threads of our intersections, embodying our strengths, vulnerabilities, and shared aspirations. The essence of this message is not merely an echo in the void but a profound ask that beckons us to recognize the genuine intent that binds us. This intent is not a fleeting sentiment but a cornerstone, crucial as we navigate the complexities of our daily lives, forge businesses and careers - to sculpt the future. Let us, in grand fashion, explore the 'why's—those fundamental questions that challenge us, inspire us, and drive us toward introspection and action. It is within the depths of these inquiries that we uncover the essence of our collective journey, a shared odyssey that transcends individual ambitions and embraces a future forged from collective dreams and aspirations. And from the fertile ground of understanding, let us then delve into the 'how's with genuine curiosity and determination. How do we, as a united front of diverse women, leverage our unique experiences and insights to overcome obstacles? How do we cultivate environments where our dreams, passions and aspirations not only take root but flourish? This profound dialogue is not merely about acknowledging the challenges we face but about actively engaging in the creation of solutions. It's an invitation to each of us to weave our strengths into a collective force, to share wisdom, resources, and support, in a sisterly pact that transcends mere words. It's a call to action—to not only dream of a future where women thrive in all facets of life but to actively build it, hand in hand, with unwavering conviction and shared purpose. May we embrace this ask with the entirety of our being, forging ahead with the knowledge that our intersections are not barriers but bridges—connecting us in our shared quest for growth, empowerment, and the realization of our fullest potential. Together, let us explore, discover, and act with the genuine intent that this message embodies, for it is in unity that our true strength lies. 💖

✨Women in Investing✨ We are beyond grateful and energized after Women In Investing subgroup meeting was held with an incredible group of women investors! We spent time sharing our personal stories, exchanging tips and tricks, and discussing the unique aspects of investing as women. It was inspiring to connect with such a passionate and driven group who are not only making waves in the real estate world, but also empowering one another along the way! One of the most valuable takeaways was how powerful it is to be a part of a community of like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges and opportunities we face. Being surrounded by people who share your vision, passion, and determination, can elevate your career in ways that individual effort alone simply can’t match. We encourage anyone in the real estate or investment space to join CRREIA - it’s a fantastic resource for learning, growing and connecting with others who are committed to success. It’s important because: ✨Support & Accountability: Whether you’re facing a challenge or celebrating a win, a community provided both encouragement and feedback! ✨Shared knowledge: Learning from others experiences helps accelerate your own growth and helps you avoid common pit falls! ✨Networking: Expanding your circle with people who share your goals and values open doors to new opportunities and collaborations! ✨ Inspiration & Motivation: Surrounding yourself with driven individuals keeps you motivated and pushes you to achieve greater things. We’re looking forward to continuing this journey and connecting with even more women investors! If you would like to join CRREIA or the Women in Investing subgroup, send me a DM!

My brain is fried. 🍳 But in a good way. Like how frying eggs or potatoes makes the world so much better. So what did my deep fried brain actually learn? 🧠 The future is bright for female investment, but we have a long way to go. 86% of funds this year have not only gone to male founders… but to all male teams. Thats a slap in the face. 💥 But listening to Debbie Wosskow, OBE talk about the future of investing in women was not bleak. It was uplifting. There are things we can do as women in business to start turning the needle and making some actual damn change. 1. Talk about it The more we talk about this point the more we will inspire each other to grow. There is so much opportunity out there for women to become investors and I think it starts with education and confidence. 2. Get in the room Women are powerful at community building. So I believe the more we build and nurture our communities the more we will lift each other up to newer heights. That’s not some wishy washy inspirational talk… if I didn’t have my network I would not be where I am today. FACT. At I Am Female we have initiatives to help both queer-led and women-led businesses. But I know Annie Bartley and I will always be looking for more ways we can transform the industry. And that’s the point. We can all keep adapting and transforming to make the world a fairer more equitable place, step by step. 🧠 We need to talk about smex. Ok so take out the “m” (I’m trying to make sure LinkedIn doesn’t worry too much). I had the pleasure of attending a round table run by the lovely Anna Vybornova on the future of smextech and how we can cut the red tape on the industry. It’s all about how we frame the conversation. There is still a MASSIVE taboo on the subject despite the fact that this industry is set to grow to $63.2 Bn by 2033. We want to work with brands in this industry to change the conversation and change opinions through their comms. So if you happen to know any… you know the girls to come to. 💃💃🏻 🧠 Finally… be in the bloody room Ok I know this is not the easiest thing for everyone. Working from home has transformed people’s lives for the better (especially women). And I know so many inspirational female business owners who started their own business for flexibility with their children. But I have to say being in the room with thousands of inspirational founders and business professionals did something magical. It FUELED me. (The coffee and cookies helped too) Meeting incredible people, learning from them and hearing their perspectives, helps me grow. And being tall-for-a-girl height, that’s saying something. Nina van Schaick Sapna Shah Jules Grant Rafael Armstrong Adam Lynch Freya Pearce Joseph N. Arnaud Plantenga Valeriia Pshenychna Neda Sahebelm Hugo Lloyd Amber Perng Jez Lawson Howard Presland Martin Bittner Jelena Skene and Craig Brown. #siftedsummit you were epic. Thanks Series Q for getting us in there. 💖

We are celebrating Women's History Month by highlighting women's impact in the business world!  Let's dive into some inspiring stats and figures that showcase their power and influence. 1) Did you know that in 2024, women-owned businesses will contribute $4.3 trillion to the US economy?  That's a staggering increase of 68% since 2019. Women are driving economic #growth and creating #opportunities for all. 2) Representation matters! In 2024, women hold 40% of board seats in Fortune 500 companies, a significant jump from 22% in 2015. This progress is a testament to the power of #diverse leadership and its positive #impact on decision-making and innovation. 3) Women entrepreneurs are taking the #startup ecosystem by storm. In 2024, 40% of new #entrepreneurs in the US are women, up from 24% in 2019. 4) The future is female-led! By 2024, women are projected to own 55% of all #wealth in the United States. This shift in #economic power empowers women to #invest, create change, and support causes they believe in. 5) Women are shattering #glassceilings and climbing to the top. In 2024, 45% of C-suite #executives in Fortune 1000 companies are women, compared to 29% in 2019. 6) Let's talk about #venturecapital! In 2024, women-founded startups received a record-breaking $20 billion in #funding, more than double the amount in 2019. This surge in investment highlights the #value and potential of women-led businesses. 7) The impact of women in #business extends beyond financial #success. In 2024, 60% of companies with diverse #leadership reported increased innovation and improved #financial performance. When #women are at the helm, everyone benefits. Celebrate #Women'sHistoryMonth by recognizing and supporting the incredible achievements of women in business. We can continue breaking #barriers, inspiring #change, and creating a more inclusive and prosperous #future. #WomenEmpowerment #WomensHistoryMonth