⚠️ Pregnant And Pitching: How Can Startup Founders Raise Capital While Expecting? Female founders face significant undervaluation in the startup ecosystem, receiving only 2% to 3% of venture capital despite comprising 38% of business owners. This disparity highlights persistent gender biases, compounded by challenges such as pregnancy. However, Tanya Parfenyuk, CEO of Zing, shares her experience of successfully raising Series A funding while pregnant, emphasizing that it can demonstrate commitment and team-building skills to investors. Transparency is crucial in the founder-investor relationship, and disclosing a pregnancy fosters trust. While female founders often encounter bias—62% report discrimination during fundraising—they can view this as an opportunity to identify potential challenges early. Parfenyuk advises creating a maternity plan to reassure investors about managing responsibilities during any expected absences. Entrepreneurship can be demanding, particularly during pregnancy, so prioritizing health is essential. While fundraising should continue, founders should take breaks and listen to their bodies to maintain productivity. Parfenyuk’s leadership at Zing has led to significant success, including over 1 million downloads and $10 million in Series A funding, and she is a strong advocate for female leadership in business. 💬 Source 📌 Powered by V3V Ventures