Dana Kanze: The real reason female entrepreneurs get less funding

The speaker shares a personal story to illustrate the dangers of implicit gender bias in startup funding. They explore how regulatory focus theory explains the disparity in questions asked by investors to male and female entrepreneurs, leading to different funding outcomes. Research shows that male entrepreneurs are asked promotion-focused questions, while females are asked prevention-focused ones, affecting their ability to secure funding. Experiments confirm these findings, highlighting the importance of question framing. Recommendations are provided for both entrepreneurs and investors to address this bias and improve funding equity.

What personal experience does the speaker use to illustrate hidden dangers?

• A near-drowning incident

• A hiking accident

• A car accident

• A fire escape

What was the main difference in the questions asked to the speaker and her male co-founder?

• The speaker was asked about potential gains, while her co-founder was asked about losses.

• Both were asked the same questions.

• The speaker was asked about potential losses, while her co-founder was asked about gains.

• The speaker was asked about customer retention, while her co-founder was asked about product development.

What does the regulatory focus theory differentiate between?

• Risk-taking and risk-averse behaviors

• Short-term and long-term goals

• Success and failure mindsets

• Promotion and prevention orientations

According to the speaker's research, what type of questions are predominantly asked to male entrepreneurs?

• Neutral questions

• Promotion-focused questions

• Technical questions

• Prevention-focused questions

What percentage of questions posed to female entrepreneurs were prevention-focused?

• 50%

• 66%

• 33%

• 75%

What effect does the regulatory focus of investor questions have on startup funding outcomes?

• A significant effect

• A minor effect

• No effect

• An unpredictable effect

What strategy does the speaker suggest for female entrepreneurs to counteract bias?

• Seek funding only from female investors

• Respond to prevention questions with promotion answers

• Focus solely on product development

• Avoid answering prevention questions

What is the speaker's recommendation for investors to improve their decision-making?

• Adopt a more balanced approach in Q&A sessions

• Invest only in male-led startups

• Avoid asking any questions

• Focus only on financial metrics

What is the potential benefit of reframing prevention questions into promotion answers?

• It can significantly increase funding received

• It has no impact on funding outcomes

• It decreases the chance of receiving funding

• It confuses the investors

What is the speaker's ultimate goal in addressing implicit gender bias in startup funding?

• To eliminate all forms of questioning in funding

• To give all promising startups a fair chance to succeed

• To focus solely on female-led startups

• To ensure only male-led startups receive funding