Women run only one in five of America’s companies, and women-led startups received only two percent of venture capital spending in 2020. Why is it so hard for women to obtain VC funding for their businesses? Hosts Gina Brillon and Kimberly Brooks dive into the complex, intersectional issues at play and how some states do a much better job than others in creating an environment for women-owned businesses to thrive. But there are lessons to be learned from the places where women-led businesses are booming — and they can provide a blueprint for other states.

Visit TheStateofWomenpod.com for more information on the podcast and ways to take action in the fight for women's rights.

“The State of: Women” is produced in collaboration by Population Media Center, Clamor, and Reasonable Volume. Episodes written by Elise Hu. Executive Producers are Gina Brillon, Kimberly Brooks, Lisa Caruso, Alex Demyanenko, Adam Reynolds, Allison Chesneau, Elise Hu, and Rachel Swaby. The series was created by Lisa Caruso & Alex Demyanenko.

Producers are Erica Lowy and Maddie Zampanti. Associate Producers are Lillian Holman and Justin Cho. Editing by Maddie Zampanti and assistant edited by Justin Cho. Audio Engineer is Claire Reynolds. Research by Bethy Squires. Fact checking by Carmel Dagan. Original cover art by Jazmine Johnson and Match Zimmerman.

PMC’s Impact and Partnerships Strategist is Charity Tooze. PMC’s Manager of Creative Development is Dominica Ruelas. Additional special thanks to June Neely of PMC and Aaron Hilliard and Molly Cody of Clamor.