267: AI, Investment & Impact: Why Women’s Leadership Must Shape the Future with Susan Sly

There’s a fascinating paradox in today’s tech landscape: women-led startups are 63% more likely to succeed and have higher chances of becoming unicorns, yet they’re receiving less venture capital funding than ever before. This gap represents not just missed opportunities, but untapped potential that could reshape entire industries.

In this inspiring conversation, tech entrepreneur and AI pioneer Susan Sly reveals the uncomfortable truths about Silicon Valley’s old boys’ club and shares her blueprint for change. From deploying AI computer vision at scale to building The Pause—a revolutionary menopause-focused platform—Susan breaks down exactly how women can stop waiting for permission and start reshaping the industry from within.

“If you don’t like the stats we’re sharing, where did you go shopping for that outfit you’re wearing? Who designed it? We need to get present to where we’re spending our hard-earned dollars—from the apps we download to the brands we’re wearing.” — Susan Sly

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What’s really driving the decline in VC funding for women
• Simple ways to discover and support women-founded companies in your everyday purchases
• How perimenopause affects women leaders and why workplace support matters more than ever
• Practical strategies for breaking into male-dominated tech spaces without playing small
• Why AI governance desperately needs more women’s voices and how to get involved
• The real reason most medicine is based on data from middle-aged white men and how AI can change this
• How to leverage crowdfunding platforms and angel investing to support female founders

🎧 Want to explore the companies mentioned in this episode? Visit Susan’s website to learn more about The Pause and discover other women-led companies making waves in tech. 

💵 Consider how your own purchasing decisions and investment choices can support the change you want to see in the industry.