Women-led campaigns win 32% more on rewards-based crowdfunding and 17% more on equity platforms.
But almost nobody is using it.
If you've been sitting on a product, audience, or idea waiting for permission to raise money, this is your route. →
Why Women Actually Win Here
Women fundraise 20% faster on crowdfunding platforms. The reason? Trust-building and storytelling.
Crowdfunding rewards founders who can connect, communicate, and create momentum. If you've spent years building community, sharing your process, or solving a problem people care about, you're already set up to win.
Plus, you get to validate demand, build your customer list, and keep your equity. No board. No dilution. Just proof that people will pay for what you're building.
The Platforms That Matter
Equity Crowdfunding (You sell shares):
Rewards-Based (Pre-sell your product):
Kickstarter – Best for physical products, creative projects
Indiegogo – More flexible than Kickstarter, better for ongoing campaigns
Women-Focused:
iFundWomen – US platform built for women, includes coaching + grants
The Money You Didn't Know Existed
UK Founders: NatWest Back Her Business matches up to £5K for female-led crowdfunding campaigns.
Many UK councils also offer prep grants to help you build your campaign. Check Simply Business's grant guide for local funding.
US Founders: Some states have matching programs for crowdfunding. Worth a Google search for "[your state] + crowdfunding grants."
How to Actually Run a Campaign That Works
30 Days Before Launch:
Build your list. Email, SMS, social—doesn't matter. You need people who'll back you on Day 1. The first 48 hours determine whether your campaign gets momentum or dies quietly.
Launch Day:
Lead with your story. Not the product specs. The why. What problem did you experience that made you build this? Who else has this problem? Why now?
During the Campaign:
Post updates weekly. Show traction, share testimonials, hit milestones publicly. Crowdfunding isn't "set it and forget it." It's a live event. Treat it like one.
Use Urgency:
If you've got a matching fund (like NatWest's £5K), lead with it. "Every pound you back gets matched" makes people move faster.
Real Example
Lila raised £80K on Kickstarter for her product. 62% of her backers were first-time customers who'd never heard of her brand before the campaign.
Her campaign didn't just raise money. It became her first customer list, her proof of demand, and her leverage for future funding rounds.
That's the hidden win with crowdfunding: you're not just raising capital. You're building an audience that proves your business works.
When Crowdfunding Doesn't Work
If you don't have an audience yet, crowdfunding is hard. You're asking strangers to believe in you without proof.
If your product isn't visual or easy to explain, rewards-based platforms (like Kickstarter) won't work. Equity crowdfunding is better for complex or B2B businesses.
If you're pre-product, you might struggle. People back things they can see, touch, or imagine using.
But if you've got traction, a story, and a few hundred people who care? You're in the sweet spot.
Your Move
Pick a platform. Start building your list. Write your story.
If you need help choosing the right platform or want someone to review your campaign plan before you launch, reply to this email. I'll walk you through it or intro you to someone who's done it successfully.
That's it. Crowdfunding isn't perfect, but it's one of the few places where being a woman is actually an advantage.
See you next week,
Toyosi
