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Devin: What is your superpower?
Molly: I take a bet on others and encourage them to be their best selves, that I believe in them, that I trust them.
Women entrepreneurs continue to face systemic barriers when accessing capital for their businesses. Despite accounting for nearly half of all new businesses in the U.S., women founders receive only 2% of total venture capital funding. Molly Huyck, Founder and CEO of AeQuitas Invest, realized the dire need for change and has built an innovative solution: a funding platform exclusively for women entrepreneurs.
Molly’s journey toward launching AeQuitas Invest began at PayPal, where she spent over 20 years building a career informed by innovation and a commitment to creating equal opportunities. Motivated by her global mentorship experience with women entrepreneurs in partnership with the Cherie Blair Foundation, Molly learned of a staggering $5 trillion gap in global GDP caused by inequities in access to capital for women. This eye-opening realization fueled her passion to address the challenge.
“When in looking at other crowdfunding platforms, literally, on average, four out of 66 raises that are going on at any one time are women founders,” Molly explained. “It doesn’t make sense to me personally, and it doesn’t make sense economically.”
AeQuitas Invest is more than a simple platform—it’s an ecosystem designed to support women founders beyond funding. Molly and her team take a hands-on approach, creating cohorts of founders to foster collaboration and shared learning. The platform also offers access to marketing, legal, and accounting experts, helping women founders navigate challenges at just the right time.
“Women operate differently. Women lead differently,” Molly said. “Studies show they typically have a return of $0.78 per dollar invested in them versus men, who return only $0.31 per dollar. That’s why I created AeQuitas Invest—to connect women founders with investors and close the gap.”
Currently, the platform has several promising campaigns in its pipeline, including Blockchain Homes, which is already live. By offering regulated crowdfunding opportunities, AeQuitas Invest empowers investors to support women-led businesses and drive meaningful change.
Molly’s story and AeQuitas Invest demonstrate the power of innovation and collective support to address inequities for women entrepreneurs. This episode highlights how platforms like AeQuitas can be game changers for gender equality in entrepreneurship.
tl;dr:
Women-led businesses receive just 2% of VC funding, but AeQuitas Invest aims to change that.
Founder Molly Huyck built AeQuitas Invest to provide a crowdfunding platform just for women founders.
The platform creates a community with hands-on support to help women succeed in fundraising.
Molly shares how her personal journey and experience inspired her commitment to gender equality.
Today’s episode highlights how empowering women entrepreneurs creates meaningful impact for investors and society.
How to Develop Empowering Others As a Superpower
Molly’s superpower lies in empowering others, especially women, to rise up and succeed. Reflecting on her journey, she explained, “I take a bet on others and encourage them to be their best selves, that I believe in them, that I trust them.” Molly’s approach is rooted in creating opportunities for others to thrive, fostering confidence, and supporting people to achieve their full potential.
Molly described hiring an executive chef for the women’s sports bar she opened. The candidate had only applied for the sous chef position, doubting her ability to lead. Molly recognized her potential and took a chance on her. With Molly’s encouragement, the new chef rose to meet the challenge and excelled in her role. This example perfectly illustrates Molly’s commitment to empowering others by believing in their abilities and investing in their growth.
Tips for Developing this Superpower:
Take chances on others by recognizing their potential, even if they doubt themselves.
Offer encouragement and affirmation to help people overcome self-doubt and unlock their confidence.
Connect with diverse communities and create inclusive environments that support mutual growth.
Build a supportive network of peers who can share experiences and provide feedback.
By following Molly’s example and advice, you can make empowering others a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Molly Huyck (she/her):
Founder/CEO, AeQuitas Invest
About AeQuitas Invest: Aequitas Invest is the only woman founded crowdfunding platform for women entrepreneurs. AQi solves the gap between opportunity and access—where high-potential founders, especially women, struggle to get funded, and everyday investors are excluded from early-stage investing. It connects both sides, enabling founders to raise aligned capital while opening wealth-building opportunities to more people.
Website: aequitasinvest.com
Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/AQinv
Instagram Handle: @aequitas.invest
Biographical Information: Molly Huyck is a trailblazer in advancing equity and inclusion. As the visionary founder of Aequitas Invest and SET The Bar (the 8th women’s sports bar in the U.S.), Molly has dedicated her career to breaking down systemic barriers and creating opportunities for underrepresented voices in business and sports.
Through Aequitas Invest, Molly is revolutionizing access to capital for women entrepreneurs—a critical gap in today’s investment landscape. She doesn’t just recognize the strategic potential of these companies; she knows how to help the founders bring them to life. Molly combines her deep expertise in technology and operations with an unwavering commitment to equity, ensuring that women founders receive not only funding but also the mentorship and resources to thrive. Her work is changing the narrative around who gets funded and why.
With over 30 years of experience in technology, operations, and entrepreneurship, Molly’s career is a testament to resilience and innovation. She co-founded and successfully exited a web development and IT services startup, holds a master’s degree in technology from Creighton University, and has led diverse teams across technology, operations, and talent acquisition. At every stage, she has embedded inclusion into the DNA of her leadership.
LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/molly-huyck-0b90258/
Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/molly.huyck
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Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar
If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
Join the SuperCrowd Impact League! You can be recognized for making impact investments via Reg CF. See how your activity compares to your peers. It’s free. Win valuable prizes. Start now!
Devin Thorpe will lead SuperCrowdHour on June 17, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern. In this insightful session, “How to Benchmark Your Impact Crowdfunding Portfolio v. the Stock Market,” Devin will explore how impact investors can evaluate the performance of their regulated investment crowdfunding portfolios alongside traditional stock market benchmarks. Drawing on his experience as a former investment banker, impact investor, and crowdfunding advocate, he will break down practical methods for measuring returns, assessing risk, and understanding the broader value created through impact investing. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how private impact investments compare with public market performance, what metrics matter most, and how to build a more informed long-term investment strategy. Whether you’re an experienced impact investor or just beginning to build your crowdfunding portfolio, this SuperCrowdHour will provide valuable insights to help you evaluate both financial and social returns with greater confidence and clarity.
SuperCrowd26 featuring PurposeBuilt100™: This August 25–27, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders will gather for a three-day, broadcast-quality global experience focused on disciplined capital formation, regulated investment crowdfunding, and purpose-driven growth. We’re bringing together leading voices in impact investing, compliance, digital marketing, and circular economy innovation to deliver practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies. The event culminates in the PurposeBuilt100™ Showcase, recognizing 100 of the fastest-growing purpose-driven companies in the U.S. Register now to secure your seat and get all the details. August 25–27, streaming worldwide.
Share the application for the PurposeBuilt100™: Purpose-driven founders deserve recognition. The PurposeBuilt100™ application window is now open—celebrating the fastest-growing companies building profit with purpose. If you know a founder creating real impact and real growth, please share this opportunity. Applications are free and confidential. Explore the program and apply today: PurposeBuilt100.com.
Community Event Calendar
Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.
On June 18th at 5pm ET, join Tampa Bay Innovation and Menlo Park Patents for the Q2 Pitch Showcase, a live gathering for founders, inventors, investors, and startup supporters. Watch selected entrepreneurs pitch bold ideas, network with the innovation community, and see winners earn valuable prizes, including patent, valuation, and investor-meeting opportunities in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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