'Guys ask for more money': why female-led startups underperform

Male culture and a lack of role models are stopping female academics from launching companies based on their research

The first time Olivia Champion pitched a business idea based on her academic research was so disheartening she nearly gave up. The 10-strong panel she faced were all men, bar a few women responsible for administration and taking minutes. Their first question was: "Why are you here?"

"It took the wind out of my sails immediately," she says. "I thought, 'Blimey. This is going badly.'"