Overcoming bias against funding of female-led entrepreneurial initiatives: the democratizing influence of online crowdlending platforms

Shivendu Pratap Singh (), Trina A. Sego () and Shikhar Sarin ()
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Shivendu Pratap Singh: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Trina A. Sego: Boise State University
Shikhar Sarin: Boise State University

Service Business, 2022, vol. 16, issue 4, No 7, 907-933

Abstract: Abstract Crowdlending platforms are becoming an increasingly prominent alternative funding channel for marginalized entrepreneurs to traditional financing. We examine whether the gender bias generally seen in conventional funding channels extends to the funding of female-led ventures in online platforms and how this potential bias affects service businesses. Our analysis of the KIVA crowdlending platform suggests that while online crowdlending platforms exert a democratizing influence on the funding of female entrepreneurial ventures, female-led service businesses were less able to get financing, mainly for larger loan amounts and longer loan terms. Our findings have significant implications for female entrepreneurs working for marginalized/social causes.

Keywords: Women entrepreneurs; Financing; Gender bias; Crowdlending; Crowdfunding; Service business (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s11628-022-00500-0

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