A few weeks ago, limited edition bags of Stacy's Pita Chips appeared in stores across the US. The 'Female Founder Finder' bags feature artwork by illustrator Libby VanderPloeg and a QR code. When scanned with a mobile phone, the QR code directs people to female-founded businesses nearby.
The Female Founder directory is also searchable online at femalefounderfinder.com and features over 13,000 women-owned businesses. The campaign is part of an ongoing grant and mentorship program, Stacy's Rise Project, which was created to help bridge the funding gap faced by female entrepreneurs. (Stacys is itself a female-founded brand that's now part of Frito-Lay.)
Considering that — according to a 2019 report by Columbia Business School — female-led ventures are 63 percent less likely than male-led ventures to obtain VC funding, we applaud brands like Stacys for stepping up to help. And letting consumers find local businesses is a smart touch. In our trend terminology, it's where (F)EMPOWERMENT meets LOCAL LOVE :-)
How can your company use its market share to support female entrepreneurs in practical and actionable ways?
Stay healthy,
The TrendWatching content team
