A crowdfunding site for women-owned companies is launching in Philly

Fewer than 20 percent of Philly companies are owned by women, and only 2 percent of venture capital went to companies started by women in 2017.

iFundWomen, a New York-based crowdfunding site that helps women raise seed capital, seeks to change that by opening its platform to local founders, thanks to a partnership with the City of Philadelphia’s StartUp PHL.

iFundWomen is more selective than Kickstarter or Indiegogo, which anyone can use: Entrepreneurs must apply to be featured, and those selected receive coaching and video services from the platform.

This spring, iFundWomen Philadelphia campaigns that have been fully funded will be eligible to participate in an exclusive pitch competition to earn some venture capital.

Some featured campaigns from other cities:

• The Coven, a coworking space for women in Minneapolis
• Cuddlist Professional Services, a company that offers “platonic healing touch” for people with disabilities in Montclair, New Jersey
• WealthyU, a financial wellness app in Baltimore