70 EN D E AVO R C ATA LYST A N N UA L R EP O RT 20 1 8 –19
Since inception, Endeavor
Catalyst has made ten
investments in female-founded
companies, represent-
ing 9.4% of the Fund's total
number of investments.
In 2018 alone, Endeavor Catalyst made
three investments in female-founded
companies, which translates to 9.4%
of the Fund's total number of invest-
ments and 5.9% of the total capital
allocated for the year. is compares to
2.3% of venture capital dollars allo-
cated to female-led companies in the
United States during the same time
period, according to Pitchbook data.
While historically Endeavor
Catalyst's female founders have
largely been in retail and consumer
technology businesses, we are seeing
an uptick in female founders in the
healthcare and education sectors.
Between 2015 and 2017, retail and
consumer technology businesses
made up 67% of Endeavor Catalyst's
female-led companies and there
was no allocation to female-led
healthcare or education businesses.
Since the beginning of 2018 how-
ever, 50% of new female-founded
investments are healthcare focused,
25% are education related, and 25%
are retail and consumer technology
focused. is mirrors similar macro
trends with the expansion of "fem-
tech" and more women in "edtech".
GESTO represents Endeavor
Catalyst's first investment in a female-
founded healthcare company. Led by
INVESTING IN FEMALE FOUNDERS
y Fabiana Salles
of Gesto
