Fearless Foundry’s Favorite Women-Owned Businesses
A recently published report shows that venture capital funding for female founders is going backward. In 2021, female founders received only 2 percent of venture capital funding, the lowest percentage since 2016. That percentage for women of color? While there are some incredible Black women shaking up the space, prior to 2021 there were only 93 Black women who raised more than $1m in venture funding for their businesses. Ever. For comparison, male-founded companies in the US raked in a combined ~$272 billion in VC funding in 2021 alone.
All this despite the fact that female-led startups have been shown to repeatedly outperform their male counterparts in terms of return on investment. Not only do women-owned businesses help break down gender stereotypes, they contribute significantly to the economy by creating jobs and generating income, and promote gender equality by providing women with opportunities to succeed in the business world.
Here are 10 of our favorite women-owned businesses:
#1: Fern+daisy
This collection of vintage-inspired garments and accessories is responsibly sourced, lovingly designed, and expertly sewn in the USA. Each piece is the perfect blend of effortlessly fashionable and classically timeless style. Fern+daisy gives back to the community by lovingly supporting nonprofits that support the marginalized people of Central Appalachia. Launching fall 2023!
#2: Cuyana
Cuyana is a women-built, heritage-led company offering fewer, better collections that embody timeless design, luxury quality, and sustainability. Founded by two women ten years ago, Cuyana creates timeless essentials for the modern wardrobe. They partner with skilled craftswomen around the world, and their internal team is primarily female-led.
#3: Nickel & Suede
Nickel & Suede is a Kansas City-based fashion and accessory brand started in 2014 by Kilee Nickels, Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Kilee's eye for trends and her classic, unexpected style has inspired Nickel & Suede's mission to offer just the right thing for every look.
#4: Topicals
Topicals is transforming the way people feel about their skin through effective science-backed products and mental health advocacy. They only use ingredients and herbals that have been scientifically proven via third-party, peer-reviewed clinical studies. Plus, their products are always free from dyes and animal testing.
#5: Supernatural
Breathe life back into your home with Supernatural’s earth-loving line of Home and Personal care creations. Through the use of conscious botanicals and handcrafted elements, Supernatural delivers the reusable lifestyle right into the comfort of your home. Indulge your inner epicurean with the best that mother nature provides.
#6: Harpermade
When the pandemic hit in 2020, Caitlyn picked up an old t-shirt and made a shirt with her long-haired wiener dog, Harper on it. Soon, her at home craft would launch into a custom apparel company where she creates pieces that make pet parents across the country as happy as Harper makes her.
#7: Healing Embodied
Relationship anxiety makes it extremely difficult to connect deeply with your partner, making love and commitment feel terrifying. Healing Embodied helps people break free from the tight grip of relationship anxiety so they can wholeheartedly love their amazing partners. Founded by Chelsea Horton, a Relationship Anxiety Specialist and Body/Mind Integration Expert with an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling.
#8: Hey Jane
Hey Jane is the most-trusted virtual clinic offering safe and private abortion care (in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Washington) from home. Get FDA-approved abortion pills discreetly delivered fast, plus ongoing medical and emotional support. Hey Jane provides care regardless of immigration status and supports care for all pregnant people, including all gender identities.
#9: Way of Being
Way of Being was founded by Alex and Lindsay, two friends who share an obsession with the power of consumer spending and low-waste, sustainable products. Their vendors are 12% Oregon-based, 38% West Coast-based, 82% USA-based, 7% Black-owned, 5% Latinx-owned, 6% AAPI-owned, 2% Indigenous-owned, 5% LGBTQ+-owned, and 61% woman-owned.
#10: Abortion Access Front
Founded in 2015 under the name Lady Parts Justice League, Abortion Access Front is a team of comedians, activists, writers, and producers that uses humor to destigmatize abortion and expose the extremist anti-choice forces working to destroy access to reproductive rights in all 50 states.