As the CEO of an energy company at the forefront of revolutionizing how the utilities and oil and gas industries can reduce 99% of their methane emissions, I've navigated a tumultuous journey in the pursuit of capital. Despite our groundbreaking achievements, securing funding remains a Herculean task for women CEOs in traditional industries like mine.
Founders are expected to relinquish significant equity, even with a healthy P&L, robust financial track record, and Fortune 100 clients — obtaining the attention and support of traditional financial institutions such as the big banks remains elusive. In my mind, there is a disconnect between performance and access to capital and it appears to underscore the entrenched biases that hinder women's economic empowerment in traditional industries.