Kathy Matsui: 'Seed valuation of female-founded companies is less than half of men's, but 1.5 times at IPO' — Speaks at T4IS2026 on 'From Womenomics to Founder-nomics'

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At an event, Kathy Matsui of MPower Partners pointed out that while the seed-stage valuation of female-founded companies is less than half that of male-founded ones, it becomes 1.5 times higher at IPO, arguing that gender-lens investing is economically rational.

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At an event, Kathy Matsui of MPower Partners pointed out that while the seed-stage valuation of female-founded companies is less than half that of male-founded ones, it becomes 1.5 times higher at IPO, arguing that gender-lens investing is economically rational.

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Source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000034.000087132.html | Date: Date unavailable

Highlights of this release: "The seed valuation of female-founded startups is less than half that of men's, but their valuation at IPO is 1.5 times higher" — Based on research jointly published by MPower Partners × Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in January 2026, Ms. Matsui argued that "investing with a gender perspective is not a human rights issue, but a market mispricing issue." "Without a quota system, we will have to wait 100 to 150 years to reach a level close to gender parity in this country" — Pointing out the disparity between the 10% female representation in the House of Representatives and 50% of the population. Female labor force participation rate is at a record high, surpassing the U.S. and Europe — A significant improvement from the "lowest level in the OECD" when Ms. Matsui began her research in 1999. W-Power Fund (official name "WPower Fund I", established March 2025, maximum size 8 billion yen) focuses on investing in early-stage female founders — Investors include the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Mitsubishi Estate, Shionogi & Co., and Tokio Marine Holdings. "You can only be what you can see" — Ms. Matsui commented on the symbolic meaning of Sanae Takaichi becoming Prime Minister. Global sustainability-related AUM in 2024 was $4.1 trillion, up +16.16% year-on-year — "The U.S. gets attention for anti-ESG headlines, but in reality, about 85% of the world's ESG assets are in Europe." 40% of University of Tokyo undergraduate students surveyed want to "start a business / work at a startup" — "A number unthinkable 5 or 10 years ago." Lecture Highlights: Sociass Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Sera Yoon) held a fireside chat titled 'Womenomics to Founder-nomics: Rewriting Japan's Investment Playbook' on the main stage of the invitation-only executive summit "Tech for Impact Summit 2026" (T4IS2026) at Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho, Kioi Conference on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The speakers were Kathy Matsui, General Partner at MPo

Kathy Matsui: 'Seed valuation of female-founded companies is less than half of men's, but 1.5 times at IPO' — Speaks at T4IS2026 on 'From Womenomics to Founder-nomics'

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