Venture Capital Struggles to Boost Funding for Startups With Women Founders

Sara Jensen believes venture capitalists want to back female entrepreneurs. That’s why, when it came time for the startup she launched with her husband to raise seed-stage funding, she took charge of reaching out to investors.

“I’ve seen people respond to me and wanting to support a female co-founded business,” said Ms. Jensen, co-chief executive of skin-care brand Hugh & Grace, which secured a funding round led by women-focused XFactor Ventures in September.