Astia.org is a global not-for-profit with a mission to propel women’s full participation as entrepreneurs and leaders in high-growth businesses, fueling innovation and driving economic growth.

Despite all the gains women have made in academic achievement, participation in the workforce and executive-level experience, the “start-up glass ceiling” is disconcerting: women are under-represented as entrepreneurs, founders and CEO’s of high-growth companies. Last year, women accounted for less than 8% of venture-capital backed companies. The Astia community of experts, entrepreneurs and investors is working to change this number. It’s imperative that ½ the workforce in America be tapped to drive innovation.