CBSA member Inscipta is mentioned in Colorado’s startups success.

In a record year for venture capital in Colorado, firms founded by women saw sizable gains, too.

Why it matters: The VC world remains a boys’ club — and despite talk of more equity, progress for funding women-founded companies has plateaued nationwide in recent years, Axios’ Lucia Shen writes, citing data from Pitchbook.

Driving the news: Last year marked a “vast improvement” in venture financing for women-led startups, according to a report released this month by Westminster-based Access Venture Partners.

By the numbers: Colorado companies co-founded by women raised more than $1 billion in 2021, up significantly from $146 million the year prior, per the study.

• Three of the top 10 largest deals in the state were made by businesses with female founders, including: Inscripta ($150M, Series E), Guild Education ($150M, Series E) and AgentSync ($74.9M, Series B).
• Women-only led startups raised $91 million in 2021, with biotech companies bringing more money in than any other industry.

Yes, but: Solely women-founded Colorado companies raised just 1.3% of all venture dollars in the state in 2021, while those with male co-founders generated nearly 15% of the total.

Find out more in the Axios Denver article.