Celebrating Female-Led Crowdfunding on International Women’s Day
It’s no secret that female entrepreneurs face more hurdles when it comes to securing funding. “Banks in general discriminate very much against female entrepreneurs,” says researcher Silke Theunissen in a recent Fast Company article.
But here’s where things get interesting: When the funding decision is left to the people—rather than the gatekeepers—women thrive. Theunissen points to research that suggests crowdfunding levels the playing field, removing biases that typically block women from accessing capital. While the study focused on loan-based crowdfunding, perk-based crowdfunding has the same forces at play.
This International Women’s Day, we’re shining a spotlight on women who are harnessing crowdfunding to build something incredible—whether it’s a film, a comedy club, a creative space, or a book celebrating fandom culture. These campaigns prove that crowdfunding is a viable alternative to traditional funding.
Four Female-Led Crowdfunding Campaigns to Watch
🎤 Haus of Comedy
A world without laughter? No thanks. Haus of Comedy is on a mission to open a space where humor, diversity, and fresh comedic talent take center stage. With so many barriers for women and underrepresented comedians in the industry, this venue is about more than just stand-up—it’s a movement.
🎬 Headscarf: A Film Inspired by My Cancer Journey
When life throws you the unimaginable, you turn it into art. Headscarf is a powerful film inspired by its creator’s personal battle with cancer. With a deeply moving narrative, this project is all about finding hope, resilience, and a little bit of light—even in the toughest times.
🏺 Clay Sanctuary – A Ceramic Arts Studio in NoVA
Creativity needs space, and Clay Sanctuary is building one. This future ceramic arts studio in Northern Virginia will be a hub for both seasoned artists and beginners to get their hands dirty, experiment, and build a true creative community. Because sometimes, the best ideas start with a lump of clay.
📖 The Three Patch Podcast Book
Fandoms, rejoice! The Three Patch Podcast has been a go-to space for discussion, creativity, and a little bit of chaos. Now, the team is compiling their best moments into a beautifully crafted book, celebrating years of nerdy brilliance and community connection.
For Women the Future is Crowdfunded
In an era where traditional funding still favors the old boys’ club, crowdfunding is giving women the resources to build, create, and innovate—on their own terms.
This International Women’s Day, let’s support women-led projects and back the ideas we want to see in the world.