For decades, venture capital was dominated by a narrow demographic. But today, a powerful shift is underway. Women venture capitalists (VCs) are no longer just a rising force—they are leading transformational deals, funding disruptive startups, and changing the very nature of innovation. Across industries and continents, these women are breaking barriers, championing diversity, and reshaping what leadership looks like in the investment world.
This article highlights the top 15 women VCs who are rewriting the rules and building a more inclusive future in tech and venture capital.
1. Aileen Lee – Founder, Cowboy Ventures
One of the most iconic figures in venture capital, Aileen Lee is widely credited with coining the term “unicorn” to describe billion-dollar startups. Through her firm, Cowboy Ventures, she’s backed major successes like Dollar Shave Club and Textio.
Lee is also a co-founder of All Raise, a nonprofit that supports women and nonbinary people in tech and venture capital. Her commitment to closing the gender funding gap is as legendary as her investing instincts.
2. Arlan Hamilton – Founder, Backstage Capital
Arlan Hamilton’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Once homeless, she launched Backstage Capital to invest in underrepresented founders—women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs.
Since its founding, Backstage has funded nearly 200 startups, demonstrating that returns and representation can go hand-in-hand. Arlan’s fearless leadership and unapologetic mission have made her a beacon for inclusive innovation.
3. Shruti Gandhi – Founder & General Partner, Array Ventures
A former engineer and academic, Shruti Gandhi brings deep technical knowledge to her early-stage investing at Array Ventures. Her fund focuses on data and AI infrastructure startups that power the modern enterprise.
With standout investments in companies like Runway, Bento, and Sprig, Gandhi has carved out a niche in highly technical B2B ventures. Her portfolio reflects an eye for impact, scalability, and long-term value.
4. Sonali De Rycker – Partner, Accel
As a leading voice in European venture capital, Sonali De Rycker has played a key role in some of the continent’s biggest success stories, including Spotify and Monzo.
At Accel, she continues to lead investments in fintech, SaaS, and consumer tech. Recognized by Forbes on the Midas List Europe, De Rycker is considered one of the most influential women VCs on the global stage.
5. Rebecca Lynn – Co-Founder, Canvas Ventures
Rebecca Lynn co-founded Canvas Ventures in 2013 and quickly established herself as a powerhouse in fintech and healthtech investing. Early bets on companies like LendingClub, FutureAdvisor, and Casper have earned her multiple Midas List appearances.
Lynn brings a pragmatic, product-driven lens to investing and is known for her strategic support of founders navigating regulated industries.
6. Anne Dwane – Co-Founder, Village Global
Anne Dwane’s firm Village Global operates on a unique network-driven model, where a community of tech leaders, including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, support emerging founders.
Previously a partner at Zetta Venture Partners, Dwane now focuses on pre-seed investing in AI, education, and future-of-work startups. Her approach centers on founder empowerment and long-term mentorship.
7. Anu Duggal – Founder, Female Founders Fund
Female Founders Fund was one of the first VC firms dedicated to backing women-led startups, and Anu Duggal has been at the helm since its inception. From BentoBox to Maven Clinic, Duggal’s portfolio reflects her belief in the untapped power of women entrepreneurs.
She has helped shift the narrative around female founders, proving that dedicated capital and tailored support can unlock massive value.
8. Jessica Verrilli – General Partner, GV (formerly Google Ventures)
Jessica Verrilli blends Silicon Valley experience with strategic investing. She began her career at Twitter, where she led strategic initiatives and M&A, before joining GV.
She also co-founded #Angels, an investment collective focused on closing the equity gap for women. Her investments include The Wing, Color Genomics, and Glossier—brands that define modern consumer innovation.
9. Deena Shakir – Partner, Lux Capital
A former journalist and Obama administration advisor, Deena Shakir brings a multidisciplinary perspective to investing. At Lux Capital, she focuses on frontier technologies in healthcare, bioengineering, and artificial intelligence.
Shakir’s portfolio includes Cleo, Shiru, and Alife Health—startups at the intersection of tech, ethics, and equity. She’s a vocal advocate for inclusive innovation in deep tech.
10. Kara Nortman – Partner, Upfront Ventures
Kara Nortman is a general partner at Upfront Ventures, one of Los Angeles’s premier VC firms. Her investments span consumer tech, AI, and robotics—including Tinder, Apeel Sciences, and Bird.
Nortman also co-founded Angel City FC, the first majority-women-owned professional soccer team in the U.S., combining her passions for business, community, and equity.
11. Irina Haivas – Partner, Atomico
A trained surgeon turned investor, Irina Haivas brings a rare blend of analytical rigor and visionary insight to her work at Atomico, a leading European VC firm. She focuses on healthtech, AI, and transformative infrastructure.
Haivas is known for supporting deep-tech startups with the potential to reshape entire industries, and for championing women in science-based innovation.
12. Wayee Chu – General Partner, Reach Capital
With a background in education and social impact, Wayee Chu has helped define the edtech investment landscape. At Reach Capital, she supports mission-driven startups like ClassDojo, Handshake, and Outschool.
Chu believes in scaling companies that democratize access to opportunity, particularly in education, and her investments are aligned with systemic change.
13. Lauren Kolodny – Co-Founder, Acrew Capital
As a founding partner of Acrew Capital, Lauren Kolodny leads investments in cybersecurity, fintech, and the future of work. Her firm manages over $1.7 billion and prioritizes companies with strong mission alignment.
A champion of inclusive cap tables and responsible innovation, Kolodny is frequently featured on the Forbes Midas List and other top investor rankings.
14. Eileen Burbidge – Founding Partner, Passion Capital
Often dubbed the “Queen of British fintech,” Eileen Burbidge has played a pivotal role in shaping London’s tech ecosystem. Through Passion Capital, she’s invested in GoCardless, Monzo, and Digital Shadows.
Burbidge has also advised the UK government on tech and innovation, blending policy, capital, and entrepreneurship to drive systemic change.
15. Laura Rippy – Managing Partner, Alumni Ventures
Laura Rippy leads investments at Alumni Ventures, one of the most active VC firms globally. Her focus spans enterprise SaaS, cybersecurity, and AI. Recent wins include TRM Labs, Barnwell Bio, and Daydream.
With a background in both tech operations and investing, Rippy brings operational know-how to her portfolio companies and serves as a mentor to emerging women in VC.
Common Threads: Why These Women Stand Out
These 15 women VCs are diverse in background and focus—but they share key qualities that make them stand out:
- Visionary Thinking: They see opportunities where others see risk, investing early in markets like AI, femtech, and climate.
- Founder Empathy: Many have startup experience themselves, making them uniquely attuned to what founders need.
- Commitment to Equity: These leaders are not just building wealth—they’re building a more inclusive innovation ecosystem.
The Broader Impact of Women in Venture
Women VCs are more likely to invest in women and underrepresented founders—a ripple effect that drives broader diversity in tech. As more women take decision-making roles in capital allocation, the types of problems getting solved—and who gets to solve them—are expanding.
Firms like Female Founders Fund, Backstage Capital, and All Raise are helping rewrite the rulebook for how capital flows and which ideas get funded.
Challenges Still Ahead
While progress is being made, only around 15% of VC decision-makers are women. Structural barriers, unconscious bias, and unequal access to networks remain persistent issues. But with leaders like these at the helm, the path forward is clearer—and more women are entering and succeeding in the field every year.
Conclusion: A Future Led by Inclusion and Insight
These 15 women aren’t just participating in venture capital—they’re transforming it. They’re proving that diversity drives returns, that equity and excellence can coexist, and that the next wave of tech innovation will look very different from the last.
As more firms embrace diversity at the partner level and more women launch their own funds, we can expect an even greater shift in the VC landscape. And with leaders like these paving the way, the future of investment is not only bright—it’s brilliantly inclusive.
