They need to know also if there is something in the company to give a salable competitive advantage. CopperCom, founded in 1997, creates new voice networks over broadband networks. Women focus on how to make something work for people. The men in the marketplace understand the importance of this, and so women now get funding. Once a business has started, men and women are on an equal footing.
Any gender discrimination is overwhelmed by marketplace issues.
This new industry needs recognition from the academics. Ms. Subramanian agreed. We're entering the age of the customer. At this point companies can't survive based on just technological innovation. They have to provide good customer service and also have good relationships with their customers to differentiate themselves.