While women-owned businesses are the fastest-growing segment, and many succeed, women must overcome barriers that their male competitors do not face," read a 2013 Senate report on small business and entrepreneurship. "In the area of capital, studies find that women do not get sufficient access to loans and venture capital."
A study by the Kaufman Foundation echoed that sentiment, finding that women receive 80% less capital than men in their first year of business.
"Access to capital is pretty much nonexistent within the black community, so you're going to need an angel or a venture capital group," said Melissa Butler, a 28-year-old Michigan native.