Access to capital for women entrepreneurs can be a dicey subject. Some argue that historically, funding groups were often the “good ol’ boys club.” Here are two sources of funding in DFW aiming to create better balance by investing in women entrepreneurs.
Golden Seeds
Headquarters: New York
Founded: 2004 in New York, became active in DFW in 2011
Type of funding: Angel investment
About the fund: Golden Seeds has raised three funds worth $36 million for women-led companies. It has invested in one North Texas company and three Texas startups. The investment group has more than 300 members across the country, about 25 from DFW.
Typical investment: $750,000 to $1.25 million
Companies in which it invests: Startups in a large market with explosive growth, strong management, and some kind of legal protection. Companies should be just past the friends-and-family fundraising stage.
Texas Women Ventures
Headquarters: Oak Lawn
Founded: 2005
Type of funding: Private equity fund that offers growth capital
About the firm: The group has raised four funds worth $26 million. It has invested in 10 North Texas women-owned or women-led startups. Its last fund had 111 investors with a range of business backgrounds. The firm often sends early-stage companies to Golden Seeds.
Typical investment: $1 million – $3 million
Companies in which it invests: Candidates are expected to generate between $10 million and $100 million in annual revenue. They should be high-growth companies with experienced management teams.
