Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider, Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
- Some of the most innovative, memorable, and successful startups in the retail world today are founded and led by women.
- Despite the less-than-friendly attitudes and systemic roadblocks that women pursuing entrepreneurship must face, they're proving they're more than up to the challenge.
- Learn more about the backgrounds and businesses of these 46 noteworthy female-founded companies, which are disrupting industries like fashion, beauty, pet care, and home.
The startup ecosystem is not known to be particularly friendly toward women. In 2017, TechCrunch reported that only 17% of the 43,008 venture-funded companies in its directory CrunchBase have at least one female founder. It's a disappointing figure, but it reminds us that the only way to go from here is up.
A growing number of women are successfully breaking through barriers to bring innovative ideas and quality products to the market. As I learned about their stories, I was struck by how different and perhaps, even more compelling, how similar they were.
Many of these founders left their jobs at large and established corporations to pursue the rigorous, but rewarding journey of entrepreneurship. They faced countless struggles and experienced satisfying triumphs in the process of bringing innovation to their respective industries. They are mothers, wives, friends, colleagues, and classmates who are driven by the problems experienced by themselves, their peers, and their loved ones to create better solutions.
We've highlighted 46 female-founded companies below that inspire us to solve problems, create solutions, and support other women.
Jen Rubio and Steph Korey: Away Travel
Shop carry-ons and other suitcases and travel accessories at Away
Luggage is the last thing you'd expect people to get excited about, but cofounders Jen Rubio and Steph Korey made it happen with their luggage company Away. As former Warby Parker heads (Korey was also a consultant for mattress startup Casper), they sought to bring the same direct-to-consumer excitement and success to the luggage space.
Their passion for travel and e-commerce is evident: In the beginning, they dug deep and interviewed hundreds of travelers to learn everything about how and why they travel, and ultimately translated their insights into lightweight, yet durable pieces of luggage that are much more affordable than high-end brands.
Melissa Mash, Deepa Gandhi, and Jessy Dover: Dagne Dover
Shop totes, pouches, wallets, and other bags at Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover is the women's handbag company we can't stop talking about — they just get work bags, weekend bags, and backpacks so right. Cofounders Melissa Mash, Deepa Gandhi, and Jessy Dover are now the CEO, COO, and creative director, respectively, of the company that is holding its own against Coach, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Tory Burch for the attentions of working women.
The founders come from UPenn's Wharton School and the Parsons School of Design and have retail experience from Coach and Club Monaco, backgrounds that certainly translated into their stylish and functional bag business.
Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss: Rent the Runway
Shop designer looks and/or sign up for an unlimited clothing subscription at Rent the Runway
Harvard Business School classmates Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss started Rent the Runway after noticing Hyman's sister didn't want to spend a lot of money for a dress she would wear only once to a wedding. The company rents out designer clothing for a fraction of the retail price and aims to change the meaning of the ownership of luxury experiences.
Founded in 2009, the company now has 9 million members, 600 designer partners, and brick-and-mortar locations in five major cities. It's also expanding past apparel into home textile rentals with a West Elm partnership, which launches in summer 2019.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider