What coping strategies do female entrepreneurs use when pursuing funding, and how do the entrepreneurial ecosystem and experience affect these?

Abstract: When it comes to obtaining funding for their venture, female entrepreneurs are at a disadvantage. Whilst obtaining funding for a venture is already a difficult task for male founders (Steigertahl & Mauer, 2018) only 2.3% of funding in venture capital goes toward female entrepreneurs (Bittner and Lau, 2021). This funding gap between male and female entrepreneurs is noticeable in different aspects of funding. This study focuses on how female entrepreneurs, in the tech industry in Skåne in Sweden, approach the funding process, and how they cope if they get the results of their efforts. Using semi-structured interviews this research also assessed if they change their approach based on the result and what the influence of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, prior experience and gender bias on their approach and coping strategy are. Role models and prior experience have a direct impact on the coping strategies used by female entrepreneurs when they are pursuing funding. By joining an incubator female entrepreneurs received both information and access to role models. Role models such as business advisors or fellow entrepreneurs provide guidance and help entrepreneurs with their challenges. Role models also gave advice on coping strategies. Prior experience came into play regarding formulating the coping strategy which they tested to measure the results. One thing female entrepreneurs did not share with their role models was experiencing gender bias if they experienced it when pursuing funding. This led to some of them struggling to use coping strategies. However, it should be noted that this research has its limitations. The sample size is one as well as the location. Skåne, Sweden is known for its excellent entrepreneurial ecosystem (Greenspan, 2016) and Sweden, is known to be quite progressive regarding gender. Thus future research could focus on female entrepreneurs in different countries and mapping out their situations and tactics. Another point of focus would be the influence of role models on female entrepreneurs and the reason female entrepreneurs do not talk to their role models about gender bias.