Los Angeles, CA – Women receive less than 2 percent of venture capital funding, a statistic that continues to underscore gender inequities in the business world. In response, Catherine Gray, CEO and Founder of She Angel Investors, has produced a compelling documentary titled “Show Her The Money” to shed light on this persistent issue and its human impact.
The film, spearheaded by Gray, aims to influence public opinion and policy through storytelling, revealing the personal struggles behind the statistics. “Film and television help change culture because they raise awareness in ways data never can,” Gray explained. The documentary not only highlights the funding gap but also personalizes the issue by showcasing women entrepreneurs pitching tirelessly and the challenges they face.
Gray emphasizes that investment decisions often hinge on personal identification, creating a barrier when the majority of investors are male. “There’s a boy’s club, and they help each other. But now there’s a bold girls club,” Gray states, advocating for change within the investment community.
In addition to the film, Gray offers practical advice for women seeking funding, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building, understanding network effects, and sharing personal stories. These elements are crucial in gaining the trust of investors and standing out in a competitive market.
Beyond the documentary, a book titled “Show Her The Money,” set for release on July 15th, will delve deeper into the stories of women featured in the film. The book aims to provide an in-depth exploration of the systemic challenges women face in raising capital and the resilience required to succeed.
Gray refers to this initiative as a “movie-ment,” seeking not just to raise awareness but to incite action towards closing the gender funding gap. “If we’re serious about closing the gender funding gap, we need more than representation. We need to rewrite the rules of who gets funded and why,” she asserts.
“Show Her The Money” serves as both a documentary and an urgent call to action, inviting everyone to reassess and reform the venture capital landscape. The initiative underscores the need for a systemic change to ensure women entrepreneurs can not only start businesses but scale and succeed in the long term.
Melissa Houston, CPA and author of “Cash Confident: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Creating a Profitable Business,” supports this movement through her platform, She Means Profit, which provides financial education and strategic resources to help women entrepreneurs overcome financial barriers and achieve sustainable growth.
