15 VC-Backed Female Founded Companies to Watch in Austin

Female founders have traditionally had a much tougher time raising capital than their male counterparts.

And while there have been a lot of pitch competitions, media articles, and focus on the problem, startups led by women still receive a tiny fraction of the overall V.C. dollars invested every year. In fact, last year, startups led by a sole female founder received 2.3 percent of total capital invested in U.S. venture-backed startups in 2021, according to Pitchbook. And only 14.8 percent went to companies co-founded by women.

But things are starting to look up for female-founded companies in Austin.

“The Southwest, led by Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Phoenix, has seen explosive growth in capital raised by female-founded startups in recent years,”  according to PitchBook data. 

“Austin, the Texas state capital, has seen female-founded startups raise more than $2.8 billion since the start of 2020, a 161% increase from its 2008 to 2019 total,” according to PitchBook.

Here are 15 venture-backed female-founded startups in the Austin area to watch.

Funding: $26 million

Founder: Co-Founders Datha Santomieri, Darren Nix, and David Tulig

What it does: Provides property insurance for landlords

Funding: $13 million

Founder: Co-FoundersJacqueline Samira and Frank Licea

What it does: Helps technology companies hire and manage software engineers

Funding: $4 million

Founder: Co-FoundersAbigail White and Andy White

What it does: created a secure platform to close real estate transactions

Funding: $2.7 million

Founder: Co-Founders Brooke Waupsh and Jody McCary

What it does: SaaS corporate employee volunteer platform boosting corporate social responsibility, engagement, and volunteerism for nonprofits.

Funding: $2.5 million

Founders: Co-Founders Jake Hall, Paige Green, and Valeria Albino

What it does: a procurement management application specifically created for the needs of Interior Design professionals.

Funding: $24.3 million

Founder: Co-Founders Carey Anne Nadeau and John Henry

What it does: Loop Insurance uses AI technology, big data, and telematics to create more fairly priced insurance products.

Funding: $250 million

Founder: Julia Cheek

What it does: It makes at-home tests to diagnose a variety of ailments including a COVID-19 test

Funding: $17.8 million

Founder: Adelle Archer and co-founder Garrett Ozar

What it does: Makes diamonds from the cremated ashes of loved ones and pets

Funding: $7.2 million

Founder: Jean Anne Booth

What it does: Created the Kenega Watch, a stylish smartwatch designed for seniors.

Funding: $8.3 million

Founder: Katie Fang

What it does: Created a college and career readiness platform and app.

Funding: $45.9 million

Founder: Co-FoundersDr. Andrea Thomaz and Dr. Vivian Chu

What it does: Diligent Robotics is developing a suite of artificial intelligence that enables robots to collaborate with and adapt to humans in everyday environments.

Funding: $52 million

Founder: Jessica Ewing, Founder and CEO

What it does: Children’s book club and subscription service

Funding:  $216 million

Founder: Michelle Davey, CEO and Co-Founder and Griffin Mulcahey, Co-Founder

What it does: Telehealth care provider. It created a virtual care platform and nationwide clinician network to develop a virtual care service.

Funding: $5.6 million

Founder: Co-Founders Lisa Falzone and Chris Ciabarra

What it does: It created AI gun detection software.

Funding: $56.3 million

Founder: Co-Founders Maria Miller and Matt Randall

What it does: It provides on-the-spot insurance policies to people participating in marathons, skiing, bike races, and other activities.