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Net Doors Are Opening for Women
Why are women striking out on their own in cyberspace in ever increasing numbers? Some say women thrive on the Internet's no-rules mantra. As a very new industry, the Internet space isn't tied to traditional ways of working and entrenched power structures. This explains why women and young entrepreneurs -- groups that have traditionally run into barriers while striving to build businesses -- are experiencing increased success in Internet ventures. "The web gives women new opportunities to pursue their dreams. It gives women a voice and a platform for demonstrating innovation and resourcefulness," says Joline Godfrey, author of Our Wildest Dreams and CEO of Independent Means Inc., a business that offers entrepreneurial "startup camps" for girls, as well as other services to empower girls financially.
But the web's freedom from the restrictions of traditional business is only a small part of the story. Nine key trends are all simultaneously responsible for the burgeoning number of women web entrepreneurs. These trends include:
- More abundant capital resources than ever before
- Women's increased access to these resources
- More role models for women in business and technology
- More executive women joining Internet startups
- More female venture capitalists
- More support organizations for women entrepreneurs and women in technology
- Successful IPOs by several women-led Internet companies
- More media attention for women entrepreneurs and executives
- Increasing recognition of the purchasing power of women online
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