Peking University’s Women in Innovation Forum Just Exposed the Gender Gap — Here’s Their Bold Fix

Unleashing the Power of Female Innovators: Bridging the Divide with Vision and Action

Welcome to this edition where we celebrate the remarkable strides women are making in the world of innovation! In light of the recent discussions at Peking University’s forum, we reflect on the ongoing gender disparities that challenge female entrepreneurs and innovators. As we explore bold solutions aimed at creating a more inclusive landscape, we invite you to ponder: What strategies can truly empower women to overcome obstacles and redefine success in their respective fields?

🚀 Startup of the Week: Out2Win

• Industry: AI in Athlete Marketing
• Founder: Out2Win is co-founded by a visionary team experienced in technology and sports marketing, with founders bringing prior expertise from leading sports organizations and technology firms.
• Recent Achievement: Out2Win has successfully raised $1.3 million in a seed funding round aimed at enhancing its technological capabilities. Notably, their recent '2025 March Madness Marketability Report' revealed that female basketball players outperformed their male counterparts in brand partnerships by 32% during the 2024-25 season, showcasing the significant potential of female athletes in the marketing landscape. This aligns with the growing trend of inclusivity in sports marketing, reinforcing the impact that innovative platforms like Out2Win can have on athlete branding strategies. Read more here.
• Location: Out2Win is headquartered in the United States.

Additional Highlights in Women-Led Startups

• Arise Ventures: Founded by Ankita Vashistha, Arise Ventures focuses on assisting Indian tech startups in navigating the US market. The firm is set to raise ₹500 crore (approximately $60 million) by the end of 2025, emphasizing diversity by maintaining 50% female participation in its accelerator program. Discover more about Arise Ventures.

• UNICEF Venture Fund: This initiative is now accepting applications for up to $100,000 in funding for startups that develop advanced technological solutions aimed at enhancing health care and socio-economic participation for women and girls. A special focus is placed on supporting female-led ventures. Learn more about this funding opportunity.

• Innovation Her Way: On March 7, 2025, Peking University's Guanghua School of Management hosted 'Innovation Her Way,' focusing on the challenges women face in innovation. Keynote speaker Dr. Jin Mengzi discussed gender disparities, emphasizing solutions such as amplifying role models and establishing fair review processes. The event celebrated women’s contributions to innovation, coinciding with International Women's Day. Explore the full event recap here.

🌟 Why It Matters

The advancements made by women-led startups, like Out2Win, Arise Ventures, and the UNICEF Venture Fund, underscore the transformative power of female leadership in industries traditionally dominated by male figures.

Out2Win's mission to enhance athlete branding through AI-driven insights is particularly significant as it challenges the longstanding norms in sports marketing. By focusing on female athletes, Out2Win not only showcases their untapped potential but also sets new benchmarks for inclusivity and representation in sports. Their recent findings, which revealed that female basketball players outperformed their male counterparts in brand partnerships by 32% during the 2024-25 season, highlight the growing recognition of women in sports and marketing. This is a crucial step towards addressing gender disparities and setting a precedent for future marketing strategies, emphasizing how female leaders can indeed redefine industry standards. Read more here.

Similarly, Arise Ventures, under the visionary leadership of Ankita Vashistha, aims to diversify the Indian tech startup ecosystem by facilitating 50% female participation in their accelerator program. Their commitment to raising ₹500 crore (approximately $60 million) by the end of 2025 not only highlights their strategic investment goals but also reflects the broader shift towards embracing diversity within the startup landscape. Vashistha's focus on tailored market strategies for Indian startups entering the US market further exemplifies the innovative approaches female founders bring to the table, challenging the status quo in venture capital. Discover more about Arise Ventures.

Finally, the UNICEF Venture Fund's initiative to support early-stage startups concentrating on women's health and socio-economic participation encapsulates the urgent need for technological solutions that are both inclusive and impactful. By offering funding of up to $100,000 specifically for female-led ventures, this program not only empowers women entrepreneurs but also reinforces the importance of women’s contributions in solving global challenges. Learn more about this funding opportunity.

These endeavors illustrate a vital shift towards recognizing and nurturing women's roles in innovation, underscoring that female leadership not only enriches the ecosystem but also paves the way for a more equitable and inclusive future across industries.

🏆 Key Milestones

• Out2Win's Seed Funding Success: The AI-driven platform has successfully raised $1.3 million in a seed funding round to enhance its capabilities in athlete marketing, reflecting strong investor confidence in its innovative approach (Source: Out2Win Success).

• Notable Market Performance: Out2Win's '2025 March Madness Marketability Report' revealed that female basketball players outperformed male athletes in brand partnerships by 32% during the 2024-25 season, illustrating the significant potential of female athletes in the sports marketing landscape (Source: Out2Win Success).

• Empowering Female Entrepreneurs at Arise Ventures: Under the leadership of Ankita Vashistha, Arise Ventures is set to raise ₹500 crore (approximately $60 million) by the end of 2025, while maintaining a commitment to 50% female participation in its accelerator program, promoting diversity in the Indian tech startup ecosystem (Source: Arise Ventures).

📈 Market Impact

Out2Win strategically positions itself at the intersection of artificial intelligence and athlete marketing, offering a unique edge in an industry often dominated by traditional approaches. Unlike competitors, Out2Win specializes in leveraging an extensive database of over 250,000 collegiate athletes, utilizing its proprietary Out2Win Score to evaluate athlete marketability through comprehensive social metrics and market trends. This focus on data-driven insights enables brands, agencies, and universities to make informed partnership decisions, particularly in the evolving landscape of college sports.

The startup's recent success in securing $1.3 million in seed funding is a testament to its innovative approach and market relevance. Out2Win's dedication to advancing gender equality in sports marketing is further underscored by its recent '2025 March Madness Marketability Report,' which revealed that female basketball players outperformed their male counterparts in brand partnerships by an impressive 32% during the 2024-25 season. This achievement not only highlights the potential of female athletes in the marketing sphere but also positions Out2Win as a leader in promoting inclusive marketing strategies. The impact of this kind of innovation resonates beyond individual brands, pushing the entire industry toward a more equitable representation of athletes.

In tandem with Out2Win's initiatives, Arise Ventures exemplifies a similar commitment to empowering diversity within the startup ecosystem. Founded by Ankita Vashistha, this venture capital firm minimizes barriers for women entrepreneurs in the tech space, ensuring that 50% of participants in its accelerator program are female. By strategically planning to raise ₹500 crore (approximately $60 million) by the end of 2025, Arise Ventures aims to bolster innovation through financial backing and mentorship tailored to the unique challenges faced by women in tech (Discover more about Arise Ventures).

Additionally, the UNICEF Venture Fund enhances the landscape for women-led startups, specifically focusing on health care and socio-economic solutions for women and girls. By offering up to $100,000 in funding, this initiative not only seeks high-impact technological solutions but also nurtures female entrepreneurship, further reinforcing the importance of diverse leadership in achieving social change (Learn more about this funding opportunity).

Collectively, these ventures illustrate a critical movement towards recognizing and supporting women in leadership roles, ensuring their contributions significantly shape the future of various industries. The concerted effort of companies like Out2Win, Arise Ventures, and initiatives such as the UNICEF Venture Fund highlights the transformative power of female-led innovation, reinforcing the narrative that diversity not only enriches the startup ecosystem but also drives meaningful change across sectors.

🤝 How You Can Support

• Follow Out2Win's Journey: Show your support for Out2Win by following them on their social media platforms and staying updated on their progress in enhancing athlete marketing through AI. Your engagement can help amplify their mission and foster greater awareness of women's role in sports marketing. Learn more about Out2Win.

• Advocate for Diversity in Funding: Support initiatives like Arise Ventures and the UNICEF Venture Fund by sharing their stories. You can highlight how they are paving the way for women entrepreneurs in the tech ecosystem and health sectors by embracing diversity and funding opportunities. By doing so, you inspire other female founders and help spread awareness about essential resources. Discover more about Arise Ventures and UNICEF Venture Fund.

• Share Key Insights on Female Leadership: Take the conversations surrounding women's innovation and leadership within startups into your own networks. Share the insights from events like the 'Innovation Her Way' dialogue hosted by Peking University, emphasizing the need for diverse voices in innovation. Your voice can help normalize these discussions and inspire a new generation of female entrepreneurs. Explore the recap of the event here.