Investment in female-founded start-ups has been a topic of discussion for years now. Despite women being just as capable as men in leading successful businesses, they receive only a small percentage of investment capital. However, the investment landscape is changing, and new players are entering the game. One such player is Mistral.AI, a new venture that has received significant funding in a short amount of time.
Mistral.AI has built an ecosystem of government, corporate, and entrepreneur supporters, and their recent funding round raised a staggering Eur 105mn, valuing the company at Eur 240mn. This is a promising development for those who are passionate about creating a more equitable society.
Investing in AI has become an area of intense focus for investors in recent years. However, the majority of VC funds and investors shy away from committing real capital to sustainability, equality, and ESG causes. This is where Mistral.AI’s ecosystem of state, business, media, and entrepreneurs backing them comes in. With their support, Mistral.AI can invest in sustainable and equitable ventures that can lead to long-term success.
While initiatives like Mistral.AI are leading the way in creating a more equitable investment landscape, there is still a long way to go. Data shows that less than 1% of large funding tickets (Eur 50mn and more) went to all-female founders in 2022. This is concerning, as diverse founders need to be able to access investment capital if we want to create a more inclusive society.
It’s not just female founders who face challenges when it comes to accessing investment capital. Many investors are hesitant to invest in companies led by immigrants, even though developed countries want to attract qualified migrant workers. This is a missed opportunity, as diversity in leadership has been proven to lead to better outcomes.
To address issues like these, initiatives like Black Seeds and Sista Fund are providing capital to black and female founders, respectively. These initiatives are making progress, but there is still a long way to go. It is crucial to invest in diverse founders and sustainable ventures if we want to create a more equitable and prosperous society.
The EU Parliament has signed off on the EU AI Act, which seeks to regulate the use of artificial intelligence. The act divides the application of AI into four pillars, ranging from harmless to very harmful. The corrective approach to AI could have algorithms programmed exclusively by women, making the AI craze more responsive to different segments of society. Algo Justice seeks to adjust algorithms for the biases they are programmed with. This is an important initiative, as algorithms can perpetuate existing societal biases and lead to discriminatory outcomes. By adjusting algorithms to be more inclusive, we can create a more equitable society.
Even Emmanuel Macron’s former ministers are joining VC firms and start-ups, indicating a growing interest in the world of investment. However, some fear that the EU AI Act will crimp their creative flair. While regulation may seem restrictive, it is necessary to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly.
In conclusion, investment in diverse founders and sustainable ventures is crucial for creating a more equitable and prosperous society. Initiatives like Black Seeds, Sista Fund, and Mistral.AI are leading the way, but there is still much work to be done. With continued efforts, we can create a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
