Why the Global Economy Needs More Women Investors

Yeşim Çevik | Investor & Start-up Mentor

For many, the word “investment” still conjures images of gray suits, complex spreadsheets, and a closed world in which one must first prove oneself. I know that feeling well. Yet my years of working closely with founders and professional investors have made one thing clear: much of this narrative is an illusion.

Today, the global start-up ecosystem needs women more than ever not as cautious observers on the sidelines, but as strategic decision-makers shaping the game.

Over time, I have also had to recalibrate my own perspective. In the past, I occasionally made what I would call “well-meaning” investment decisions. I would think: This team is determined, we share a similar cultural background I should support them. Today, I know better. Investment decisions must not be driven by solidarity or sympathy; they must be grounded in rational analysis. I call this the “backyard trap” the tendency to invest based on proximity rather than strategy.

When founders say they want to focus on growing in their local market first, a polite nod is no longer enough. Small markets offer little protection. Start-ups that fail to think globally from day one risk being overtaken by competitors from the United States or Asia. The key is to ask the hard questions: What is your international expansion strategy? What concrete steps will you take to enter larger markets?

If we expect teams to think big, we must think big ourselves.

My investment focus has sharpened as well. I am no longer interested in apps that merely make the world a little “cooler.” I look for companies solving real problems. Does the team own its technology? Is there genuine innovation? Is there a sustainable competitive advantage? In other words, I no longer invest in the paint – I invest in the engine.

In this context, women hold a significant advantage: the ability to distinguish real value from polished presentation. This instinct should not be underestimated. The focus must be on companies with solid technological foundations and long-term competitive strength.

Another common hesitation concerns capital. Many believe they simply do not have enough money to start investing. Yet capital is often only one component of value. I began with small amounts and used them primarily as a way to learn. The true value often lies in experience, expertise, and strategic guidance.

Equally important is the power of networks. A strong network can open doors, create partnerships, and significantly accelerate a young company’s growth. Writing a check is easy. Truly “smart money” comes from investors who contribute knowledge, contacts, and active engagement.

To help more women move from the sidelines to the center of the field, I believe three steps are essential:

First: Build alliances. Find an investment partner or a network of like-minded individuals. Shared capital is valuable but shared perspective is even more powerful. Collective decisions are often stronger.

Second: Leverage your home advantage. Invest in sectors you understand. Professional expertise is often the most valuable form of capital when distinguishing substance from hype.

Third: Build your network before you write a check. Attend events, join platforms, learn the language of the ecosystem. The moment you realize that even the so-called “big players” do not have all the answers, hesitation begins to fade.

The era of purely local thinking is over. The market is global. Large numbers and complex terminology should not intimidate anyone. Investing is a craft and like any craft, it can be learned and mastered.

It is time to step forward. To think globally. And to play an active role in building the companies we will be proud of ten years from now.

I am ready.

Who is taking a seat at the table?