Raising $24M After 107 Rejections: Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen’s Journey to Scaling Female Invest | E135
Podcast: Leap Academy with Ilana GolanPublished On: Tue Nov 25 2025
Description: When 19-year-old Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen walked into a bank hoping to secure a loan to buy a property, she was denied on the spot. That “no” pushed her into investing and ultimately led her to co-found Female Invest, a global platform empowering women to take control of their financial futures. In this episode, Anna joins Ilana for a raw, honest conversation about the reality of fundraising as a female founder, from enduring 107 rejections to breaking global crowdfunding records and facing the backlash that followed. She shares what it truly takes to scale a mission-driven company, rise above bias, and empower women financially on a global scale. Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen is an entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Female Invest, a financial education platform that has empowered women across more than 100 countries. She’s a leading voice in closing the financial gender gap through education, representation, and access. In this episode, Ilana and Anna will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:51) Her Early Interest in Finance and Investing (05:15) Turning Down McKinsey to Build Female Invest (09:10) Challenges and Misconceptions in Entrepreneurship (11:07) Launching a Facebook Group That Grew Like Wildfire (13:35) Why Money for Women Is Deeply Political (15:29) Bootstrapping to Success After Near Bankruptcy (22:14) Anna’s Y Combinator Experience (25:02) The Reality of Fundraising as a Female Founder (30:35) Raising $24M After 107 Rejections (34:01) Facing Backlash, Anxiety, and Hate (38:08) The Biggest Financial Mistakes Women Make (44:12) Lessons and Advice for Founders Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen is a Danish entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Female Invest, a financial education platform that has empowered women across more than 100 countries. A Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, she helped bootstrap Female Invest from a small Facebook group into one of the most engaged financial communities in the world. Anna is also the bestselling author of Girls Just Wanna Have Funds and a leading voice in closing the financial gender gap through education, representation, and access. Connect with Anna: Anna’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anna-hartvigsen-46352611a Anna’s Instagram: instagram.com/anna.hartvigsen Resources Mentioned: Female Invest: https://www.femaleinvest.com Anna’s Book, Girls Just Wanna Have Funds: A Feminist's Guide to Investing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0744077303 Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities. Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training📈 Leap Academy helps professionals reinvent their careers, build portfolio careers, land board seats, and grow executive leadership skills through expert coaching, personal branding, and career development strategies. Founded by Ilana Golan, it's where bold professionals come to grow.🎯 Start with a free strategy call: https://www.leapacademy.com/yt-schedule🎓 Watch the free masterclass on building multiple income streams: https://webinar.leapacademy.com/24hr-pass1👇 Like what you see? Comment below and let us know what resonated!📌 Subscribe for weekly insights, career strategy, and behind-the-scenes mentorship from Ilana: https://www.youtube.com/@ilanagolan-leap-academy⭐ Hear how others made their leap: https://www.leapacademy.com/reviews🧠 Explore actionable tips on our blog: https://www.leapacademy.com/blog-1---------------🎧 PODCAST | Leap Academy with Ilana GolanInspiring, unfiltered conversations with leaders and professionals who broke the mold. Learn how to build your reputation, impact, and income on your terms.▶️ https://www.leapacademy.com/podcast---------------🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss an episode.📲 Connect with Ilana:Facebook ▶️ https://www.facebook.com/IlanaGolanLeapAcademyLinkedIn ▶️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanagolan/Instagram ▶️ https://www.instagram.com/ilanagolanleapWebsite ▶️ https://www.leapacademy.com/
The note was deleted
The note was saved
Your message was sent