Empowering Women in Finance: The Journey of Female Invest
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Female Invest has emerged as a transformative force in the realm of personal finance and investing for women. Recognized in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2020 and a recipient of the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award, this EdTech platform and community is dedicated to bridging the gender investment gap through accessible education and support.
The Inspiration Behind Female Invest
The inception of Female Invest stemmed from a shared realization among its founders—Camilla Falkenberg, Emma Due Bitz, and Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen—that they were not alone in their struggles with investing. During their initial meetings, they discovered a common thread: each had felt isolated in their financial journeys, often attending personal finance events where women were noticeably absent. This lack of representation, coupled with the difficulty in finding reliable information, ignited their passion to create a platform that would make investing approachable and inclusive.
The founders were particularly alarmed by the stark gender disparity in investments and savings. Statistics reveal that 70% of stocks are owned by male investors, and a significant number of women, particularly in the UK, have never held stocks. Furthermore, female workers are retiring with approximately £70,000 less in their pensions than their male counterparts. This shocking reality fueled their determination to take action.
Closing the Gender Investment Gap
Female Invest is actively working to close the gender investment gap by providing an EdTech platform that empowers millennial and Gen Z women. Through subscription-based e-learning, the platform enhances understanding of personal finance and investing, creating a safe space for women to gain the skills necessary for financial independence. The initiative aims to equip women with the knowledge to control their capital, thereby narrowing the investment gap.
The Importance of Financial Empowerment
The rationale behind Female Invest’s mission is clear: women globally are falling behind in wealth accumulation. They earn less, save less, and consequently invest less. This imbalance is not just a financial issue; it reflects a broader societal challenge. The platform seeks to redefine how young women engage with financial advice, moving away from the typical narratives focused on saving for beauty or lifestyle expenses to empowering them to make substantial investments.
Offerings of Female Invest
Female Invest provides a wealth of resources for its members. For a subscription fee of £8 per month, women gain access to an extensive online universe filled with content, courses, webinars, video tutorials, articles, and live events. Approximately half of the live events feature external speakers from reputable organizations like Nasdaq and SaxoBank, enriching the educational experience with industry-specific insights. To date, over 45,000 women have participated in these events, learning how to invest with starting funds as low as £400.
The Concept of "Getting Your S.H.I.T. Together"
Central to Female Invest’s philosophy is the empowering message of "Get your S.H.I.T. together," which stands for salary, home, investments, and taxes. By organizing these four areas, women can gain greater control over their finances and, by extension, their lives. Another innovative concept is the F*** U Fund, a savings account designed to give women the financial freedom to walk away from situations that no longer serve them, such as unfulfilling jobs.
Community Response and Growth
The response to Female Invest has been overwhelmingly positive. What began as a passion project has blossomed into a thriving community supported by thousands of women from diverse backgrounds and locations. With members across 55 countries, Female Invest has become Europe’s largest financial educator for women, bolstered by funding from the Danish state investment fund in December 2020. The platform’s British membership alone grew by over 1,000% in 2020, reflecting its expanding influence.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Female Invest aims to continue its growth trajectory, helping more women maximize their financial potential through education and empowerment. The founders are eager to resume live events and further develop this aspect of their business. A key goal is to demystify the investment landscape, which has historically been male-dominated in both communication and corporate culture. Female Invest is committed to fighting for financial equality and reshaping the narrative around women in finance.
Advice for Aspiring Female Investors
For women looking to embark on their investment journeys, the founders of Female Invest offer crucial advice: dismiss common misconceptions about investing. You don’t need a fortune to start, nor is it overly time-consuming or tedious. In fact, studies show that women who invest often outperform their male counterparts. This underscores the importance of a platform designed by women, for women, that approaches finance in an engaging and authentic manner. Ultimately, empowering women financially can lead to transformative changes in their lives and communities.