There’s a gender gap in emerging tech investment

A new survey conducted by Linqto, a financial technology investment platform, has highlighted significant gender disparities in investment preferences, particularly in emerging technologies.

The survey included more than 2,500 accredited investors from diverse demographic backgrounds, providing a comprehensive snapshot of trends in both traditional and alternative investment sectors.

The findings indicate a notable divergence in how male and female investors approach the market, especially in areas like blockchain, cryptocurrency, and alternative investments.

Approximately 52.24 percent of male respondents have invested in blockchain and cryptocurrency assets, which is just over double the rate of female respondents at 26.01 percent. Furthermore, 43.64 percent of male investors are engaged with alternative investments this year, with over 30 percent dedicating at least one-fourth of their portfolios to these assets.

In contrast, only 23.27 percent of female investors have ventured into alternative investments, with 16.41 percent allocating a similar proportion of their portfolios.

The survey also revealed that male confidence in non-traditional investment markets substantially exceeds that of their female counterparts, with 48.57 percent of men expressing high confidence compared to just 26 percent of women.

Joe Endoso, CEO of Linqto, emphasized the growing interest in diversified investment strategies due to recent market dynamics.

"With ongoing market volatility, stabilized interest rates and successful IPOs like Reddit’s recent listing, investors recognize the need for alternative investment options to create a comprehensive portfolio," Endoso said in a statement.

He noted that the demand for digital investments and alternative assets is particularly strong in sectors such as emerging technology, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrencies.

The survey also explored general investment trends, finding that 53.16 percent of respondents believe most of the action in secondary markets revolves around the tech space.

Traditional investments remain prevalent, with 58.1 percent of respondents reporting exposure, while employer-related investments and crypto and blockchain-based assets also figured significantly in portfolios at 35.68 percent and 27.12 percent, respectively.

While nearly half of respondents said they invest primarily in stocks (49.64 percent) and have invested in both bonds and equities over the past year (48.44 percent), around one-third (32.3 percent) said they’ve also waded into the crypto and blockchain investment pool.