Nearly two-thirds of women investors are planning fresh venture capital commitments next year, according to new data released by How Women Invest (HWI) and How Women Lead (HWL).
The Women, Wealth & the Capital Continuum 2026 Report examines how women are approaching private-market investing at a time when overall market conditions remain tight. The findings suggest that women are not only deploying capital today but are also building a pipeline for future participation in venture and alternative assets.
The analysis draws on sentiment data from two related but distinct communities. Almost 90% of respondents from How Women Invest have already completed at least one private-market investment, representing capital that is currently active. In comparison, the How Women Lead cohort reflects an earlier-stage group of values-driven senior executive women whose portfolios remain largely concentrated in public markets. Combined, the research presents a picture of women’s capital engagement from initial interest through to repeat investment.
How Women Invest was established with the aim of mobilising women’s capital, expertise and influence to back women founders. By setting a $25,000 minimum commitment payable over four years, HWI has brought more than 600 first-time limited partners into venture capital. Across Funds I and II, the firm has invested in 30 companies and recorded four exits so far. Fund I, a 2020 vintage fund, has already returned 35% of capital to LPs ($3.5 million), with further potential returns expected from its active portfolio.
Among the headline findings, 67% of respondents said they intend to invest between $25K–$49K in venture funds in 2026. This aligns closely with reported comfort levels, with 29% identifying $25K–$49K as their preferred cheque size and 41% citing $5K–$24K.
The data also shows a range of experience levels. Around 27% of respondents have made only 1–2 private investments to date, while 44% report investing across multiple funds or vehicles, indicating a blend of first-time and more diversified participants.
Confidence levels vary. Some 39% describe themselves as somewhat confident and say they seek external guidance, while 24% make decisions independently but with support. A further 19% consider themselves very or extremely confident in private-market investing.
The report challenges the perception that values-led investing compromises returns. Among HWI respondents, backing women-led companies ranks as the top motivation for investing, closely followed by access to high-growth opportunities and involvement in innovation. More than half of investors said gender diversity significantly influences their allocation decisions, with over a third describing it as a major factor or outright requirement.
Commenting on the findings, Julie Castro Abrams, CEO and Managing Partner of How Women Lead and How Women Invest, said: “In a market where caution is the norm, the data tells a different story for women investors. Women operators, those who have founded or led companies through a liquidity event and generated meaningful personal returns, are entering private markets deliberately and bringing more women to the table alongside them. With nearly 90% having already invested and 2026 allocations clustering around defined, repeatable check sizes, the data points to disciplined participation rather than speculative risk-taking.”
The HWL dataset represents a global network of 25,000 senior executive women with considerable influence. While many express interest in private markets, their current allocations remain limited.
Among HWL respondents, 77% said they invest with a values-based lens and 58% with a gender lens. Preferred sectors mirror those of HWI investors, including Women’s Health, AI/Data, Healthcare Delivery and Financial Innovation.
However, 44% of HWL respondents said they do not yet have a clear plan to invest in venture capital and would like to learn more. Just 19% described themselves as very or extremely confident in making private-market decisions, while 63% said they either seek guidance or rely entirely on advisers.
Portfolio allocation figures highlight the participation gap. Around 27% of HWL respondents allocate between 1–5% of their portfolios to private or alternative investments, and 18% report having no private-market exposure at all. The findings suggest that while interest and alignment with venture themes are strong, structural barriers and access constraints remain key limiting factors.
Taken together, the two datasets point to what the organisations describe as a sequential pattern of capital entry. Women’s participation in private markets appears to be developing in stages, with structured and measured deployment today and a sizeable pipeline forming behind it.
In a market environment characterised by caution, the report suggests that investment platforms which prioritise transparency, education and simplified access may be best positioned to attract sustained participation from women investors over the long term.
