Leapfrog: The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs

While observing the existence of steep obstacles, Molina Niño, founder of Brava Investments, dispenses approachable, energetic inspiration for women aspiring to become startup creators. Speaking from personal experience, she makes note of the discouraging effects of female and minority under-representation in business, with only 2.5% of venture capital funding going to women, of whom only about 0.2% are women of color. Her focus is on scale; through her own firm, which invests in companies that will benefit women, she aims to “level the playing field for a billion women,” rather than make one woman the “next Zuckerbergian billionaire.” Stating that “you have to hack the system as it is,” Molina Niño dispenses various “hacks” in five sections, successively titled “Ready,” “Set,” “Go,” “Fund,” and “Grow.” They include, in “Ready,” the admonition “You Don’t Need a Hoodie”—understanding that the skill set associated with entrepreneurship is not limited to men—and, in “Grow,” “Out-Kardashian the Kardashians”—successfully using social media marketing techniques without having to rely on celebrities. This is a must-read for any woman who has a great idea and the nagging thought that doors are closed to her; Molina Niño helps to blow them open. Agent: Joy Tutela, the David Black Literary Agency. (Aug.)