The Big Picture

Women write just 7% of angel checks globally, despite controlling $30 trillion in wealth. Epic Angels founder Maaike Doyer cracked this puzzle by removing the barriers that keep women on the sidelines.

Why it Matters

Female founders receive just 2% of VC funding, but companies with female executives deliver 25% higher returns. Epic Angels' model shows how to systematically fix the supply side of this equation.

The Breakthrough

Epic Angels starts members at $1,000 per investment instead of the typical $50,000 minimum. The network curates monthly deals, runs joint due diligence, and teaches women to navigate early-stage uncertainty.

The Backstory

Doyer's journey began in university math programs and accounting firms where she was consistently one of few women. After co-founding Business Models Inc. and helping design Europe's first accelerator programs, she moved to Singapore and found the same pattern: high-net-worth women weren't angel investing despite the city having one of the world's highest percentages of female CEOs.

The Mechanics

What started with three friends co-investing has become a systematic approach to democratizing early-stage investing. Members pool expertise for due diligence, startups pitch directly to the network, and educational components help newcomers build confidence. Recent investments include She Loves Data (women-focused data literacy) and BioPlaster Research (turning Caribbean sargassum into packaging materials).

The Reality Check

The model works because it addresses root causes, not symptoms. Traditional angel networks require large minimums and operate through old-boy connections. Epic Angels proves that lowering barriers and creating structured support can rapidly scale female participation in startup funding.

What's Next

With proven traction in Asia Pacific and recent Latin American expansion, the network is demonstrating that geographic diversification amplifies impact. Doyer's advice: "It's cheaper to put $10,000 in startups each year than to get an MBA, and I guarantee you'll learn more."

Go Deeper

• Business Model Generation Handbook - Doyer's co-authored bestseller on startup methodology

• All Raise funding reports for annual data on female founder funding gaps

• She Loves Data platform - Epic Angels portfolio company addressing data literacy