The Alice Anderson Fund backed women founders when they needed it most, but it’s now under threat

Elena Tsalanidis, a founder backed by the Alice Anderson Fund and LaunchVic, reflects on the vital role the fund played in supporting her and other women founders at the pre-seed stage, when traditional investors often hesitate. She highlights the strong community fostered by the fund, providing a space for founders like Paloma Newton, Jessica Christiansen-Franks, Neala Fulia, Jeanette Cheah, and Nikki Tugano to connect, share advice, and build confidence. Tsalanidis expresses concern over the fund’s recent changes, fearing a loss of this invaluable community, especially given the declining percentage of venture capital funding going to women founders in Australia – dropping from 18% to a projected 11% by Q3 2025. She calls for greater transparency from VCs regarding their investment decisions and urges successful entrepreneurs to invest in diverse founders, emphasizing that supporting women and people of color isn't just ethical, but also financially sound, as these founders often demonstrate exceptional resilience and performance. Inspired by Alice Anderson’s pioneering spirit, Tsalanidis advocates for building inclusive ecosystems where opportunities are actively created, rather than waiting for them to be given.

(Source：Smartcompany)