Le[a]dBetter® Program Overview
Whether they are startups or established entities, businesses are striving to level the leadership playing field. To help make gender equality in business leadership a reality, Perkins Coie is proud to offer Le[a]dBetter®, an innovative program that supports startups with women in senior executive roles, and Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, a unique offering that recognizes women inventors and their companies.
Le[a]dBetter®
Le[a]dBetter® was inspired by the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, legislation drafted in response to the Lilly Ledbetter gender wage gap lawsuit and the first bill signed into law by former President Barack Obama. An innovative educational, networking, and alternative fee arrangement program, it is designed to offer support to companies in the startup ecosystem that demonstrate inclusion and business leadership diversity in their executive suite.
We know that capital is the primary catalyst for business growth. To help women business leaders maximize their company’s capital, we are offering qualifying startups with at least one woman in a senior leadership role a 15% discount off of our standard hourly rates for certain legal services for a limited period. We also include fee packages not based on hourly rates, one example of which is Le[a]dBetter® Imagine.
Portfolio of Services
Services offered under Le[a]dBetter® include those that are most often requested by our emerging growth company clients. A few of the legal service areas under which we currently provide counsel under the program are listed below.
Once a company is engaged as a client under the Le[a]dBetter® program, they are eligible for a host of other legal services that we can provide under a wide range of alternative fee arrangement options.
Le[a]dBetter® Imagine
Contributions by women inventors are critical to advancing innovation. To create a more inclusive IP environment, Perkins Coie developed Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, a program that honors the work of women inventors and offers key benefits to support women’s participation in the innovation ecosystem. Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, inspired by the USPTO’s Progress and Potential Report, provides women inventors and their companies with educational programming, networking events, and discounts for select patent services under Perkins Coie’s Le[a]dBetter® program.
Le[a]dBetter® Imagine offers alternative fee arrangements for Le[a]dBetter-qualifying startups and emerging companies by offering credit for nonprovisional patent application filings that name woman inventors.
Women Inventors — By the Numbers
The momentum of women inventor participation captured in the July 2020 USPTO’s Progress and Potential report is both promising and needed. The report found:
- More women are entering and staying active in the patent system than ever before.
- The number of patents with at least one woman inventor increased from 20.7% in 2016 to 21.9% by the end of 2019.
- The “Women Inventor Rate” (WIR) – the share of U.S. inventors receiving patents who are women – increased from 12.1% in 2016 to 12.8% in 2019.
- The share of women among new inventors on issued patents increased from 16.6% in 2016 to 17.3% by 2019.
- The gender gap in the number of women inventors who remain active by patenting again within five years is decreasing. For new inventors in 2014, 46% of women patented again in the next five years versus 52% of men (by 2019). In 1980, the gap was 28% for women versus 38% for men.
Qualifying for Legal Services
Who is the target audience for Le[a]dBetter® services?
The target audience for legal services under the Le[a]dBetter® program is startups and emerging companies with at least one woman in a senior leadership role and, under Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, women inventors and their companies.
To qualify for Le[a]dBetter® Imagine, companies must qualify for Le[a]dBetter® and have at least one named woman inventor on a nonprovisional patent application.
Can my company receive both Le[a]dBetter and Le[a]dBetter Imagine discounts?
Yes. You can receive the traditional Le[a]dBetter® discount of 15% off our standard hourly rates for certain legal services for a limited period. Qualifying startups with women inventors can also receive the Le[a]dBetter Imagine® discount after the initial Le[a]dBetter® discount expires.
Are startups led by men or with a majority of men in their C-suite eligible to benefit from the support provided to Le[a]dBetter® startups?
Yes, men who lead startups are welcome to participate in the program. Executives at qualifying startups led by men or women that include at least one woman in a senior leadership role are eligible to receive the discount on legal services and attend Le[a]dBetter® networking and educational events. The program is designed so companies that value and demonstrate inclusivity may benefit.
How do I start the qualification process?
CLICK HERE to provide details about your company that will help us determine your eligibility.
Is there anything else I should know?
Yes. Please note that the presence of at least one woman in a senior leadership role does not automatically qualify your company for inclusion in the Le[a]dBetter® program. Before establishing an attorney-client relationship under the Le[a]dBetter® program, we will need to run a thorough conflicts background check to identify possible issues, such as determining if any adverse party relationships exist with our current clients. If a conflict does exist, it must be cleared and/or the appropriate waivers obtained. If it cannot be cleared, the company is not eligible for services under Le[a]dBetter®. If clearances are obtained, Perkins Coie and the company or individual will need to agree to such a relationship in an engagement letter. Eligibility is determined at the discretion of Perkins Coie.
Qualifications Intake Form
Women in Senior Leadership Roles and Funding of General Diverse VC-backed Startups
Venture capital funding overall has surged in recent years, but the numbers for female founders haven't progressed at the same pace. Last year, global VC funding to female founders dropped dramatically. Crunchbase data confirms more than 800 female-founded startups globally received a total of $4.9 billion in venture funding through mid-December, representing a 27% decrease over the same period last year.
Hundreds of new female-led companies were launched in the past 12 months and many women-led funds and incubators focused on female founders invested in them. According to International Finance Corporation, only 11% of seed funding capital in emerging markets goes to companies with a woman on their founding team, and the figures are even lower - 5% - for later-stage funding.
The gender pay, financing, and leadership gaps between women of color is even larger. If you are a founder of color, particularly African-American woman or Latina, you face enormous challenges in obtaining funding in this environment, but the landscape is getting better. As of December 2018, only 34 Black female founders had ever raised $1 million in venture capital for their company. In recent years, ProjectDiane, a biennial report on the state of Black and Latinx women founders by the organization digital undivided, reported that stat has nearly tripled, with 93 Black women and 90 Latinas now reporting they have secured $1 million or more in investor backing for their businesses.
Why Focus on Startups?
We developed Le[a]dBetter® to encourage startups and their investors to establish and value a culture of inclusion and gender equality from day one. Women play a vital role in the success of our firm, and we know they can and have played critical roles in the successes of numerous startups. We want to do our part to support startups that are committed to excellence in diversity and demonstrate that commitment by recognizing the accomplishments and contributions of women.
Resources for Women Entrepreneurs
More women than ever before are embracing the C-Suite and entrepreneurship. Women-owned businesses are a strong part of economies all over the world and the number of resources for women entrepreneurs is growing.
Check out the list of resources we have compiled to help your startup grow into a thriving company.
Women-led and Women-focused Investment Firms
- Aligned Partners
- Aspect Ventures
- Astia Angels
- BELLE Capital USA
- Built by Girls (BBG Ventures)
- Coyote Capital
- Cowboy Ventures
- Female Founders Fund
- Forerunner Ventures
- Future Perfect Ventures
- Golden Seeds
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women
- Gotham Gal Ventures
- Illuminate Ventures
- Monitor Ventures
- Portfolia
- Rethink Impact
- Scale Venture Partners
- Valor Ventures
- Women’s Venture Capital Fund
HeForShe Workforce Parity Report
Check out the inaugural HeForShe Workforce Parity Report, a product of a UN Women initiative that aims to mobilize men and boys in the fight for gender and business leadership equality.
Women Entrepreneurship Organizations and Other Resources
- 3 Types of Funding Women Entrepreneurs Should Know About
- 42 Resources for Women in Leadership and Business - MBA@UNC, UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Online MBA Program
- Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
- Association of Women's Business Centers (AWBC)
- Ladies Who Launch
- Master’s in Data Science - A Guide for Women in STEM: Closing the Gender Gap
- National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT)
- National Association of Women's Business Owners (NAWBO)
- National Hispanic Business Women Association
- National Women's Business Council (NWBC)
- Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
- The Boss Network
- U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce (USWCC)
- Vital Voices
- WEConnect International
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
- Women's Presidents' Organization (WPO)
Much Respect to Girls Who Tech
Below is a list of a few women-focused technology organizations.
Accelerate to Innovate
Check out the accelerators listed below that are doing their part to help women succeed in the startup ecosystem.
Events
Upcoming Events
2023 Events
| 10.11.2023 | Le[a]dBetter Webinar: Happily Ever During Watch the event recording here. |
| 05.18.2023 | Le[a]d Webinar: Productive Conversations in Polarized Times A presentation that focused on the how-tos of critical conversations that create meaningful change. Following the webinar, attendees heard from Dr. Karen Lisko, Perkins Coie’s senior litigation consultant and persuasive communications advisor. Dr. Lisko did a deeper dive into strategies for effective listening, empathetic communication, and respectful dialogue, all of which are key to creating constructive environments for productive discussions. |
| 03.30.2023 | Connection, Cuisine, and Conversation To Cap Off Women’s History Month Perkins Coie LLP / San Francisco, CA An evening of authentic connection and dynamic conversation capping off Women’s History Month. Attendees sipped, sampled, and socialized with women leaders from influential and pioneering companies during this invitation-only dinner. |
| 03.29.2023 | Le[a]dBetter Women’s History Month Cocktail Reception Perkins Coie LLP / Seattle, WA An invitation-only soirée celebrating Women’s History Month, hosted by the firm’s Le[a]dBetter program and Women’s Forum. Attendees enjoyed cocktails and appetizers while engaging in inspiring conversations and making meaningful connections with other local women leaders. |
| 03.29.2023 | Le[a]dBetter Webinar: Championing Confidence With Conversations That Count Dr. Karen Lisko, Perkins Coie’s senior litigation consultant and persuasive communications advisor, led a discussion to help attendees learn to bring their best to every conversation, in business and beyond. Topics addressed included:
Watch the event recording here. |
| 03.21.2023 | Women’s History Month Cocktail Reception and Q&A With Julia Boorstin New York, NY An invite-only soirée that celebrated Women’s History Month and featured author and CNBC Senior Media & Tech Correspondent Julia Boorstin. Attendees enjoyed delicious cocktails and made meaningful connections with other women leaders during an intimate reception and an informative Q&A session on Julia’s recently released book, When Women Lead: What They Achieve, Why They Succeed, and How We Can Learn From Them. |
2022 Events
| 06.20.2022 | Fintech Powered by Women NYC.NFT New York, NY Cocktails and bites at Magic Hour at Moxy NY Times Square before the NFT.NYC conference on June 20, 2022, was a fabulous evening with gorgeous views and pleasant company. It was perfect to connect before the conference and create community with other women in fintech. This happy hour was co-hosted by Perkins Coie’s Fintech group and the Le[a]dBetter® program. |
| 04.27.2022 | WeROC Idaho Boise, ID Lead sponsor for WeROC in Idaho. |