Ep.103 Dan Copsey | What Investors Really Look For in Female Founders
Sun Feb 01 2026
What actually makes a founder investable - and why hustle culture may be working against women.
In this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, Di Gillett sits down with Dan Copsey - entrepreneur, investor, and Group CEO, to unpack what investors really assess when backing founders, particularly women.
This is not a surface-level conversation about confidence or pitching harder.
Dan reveals why honesty beats hype, why performative hustle culture is a red flag, and why many of the most investable female founders are undervaluing what they already bring to the table.
From founder-investor dynamics to gender bias in startup rooms, this episode delivers an unfiltered investor lens every ambitious woman in business needs to hear.
You’ll hear:
Why honesty is the #1 trait investors look forThe biggest red flags investors see in pitchesWhy hustle culture is failing founders - especially womenWhat female founders are doing right but not articulatingHow motherhood, life load and leadership are undervalued assetsWhat makes an investor–founder relationship succeed long-termHow to know when your business is truly ready to scale.
New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week.
Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations.
🎧 Watch and subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts.
✔ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1
✔ Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8
✔ Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590
✔ Follow on the website: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast/
Who is Dan Copsey?
Dan Copsey is an Australian businessman, entrepreneur and active investor. He advises and consults for numerous founders and executives as well several charity organisations. He is currently Chief Executive Officer for TMSPC Pty Ltd which boasts a portfolio of leading advertising agencies, premium hospitality ventures, and impactful not-for-profit investments
Find Dan at:
Website https://dancopsey.com/media/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancopsey/
Connect with Di & engage with Power Of Women:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/
Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/
💫 If this conversation lit a spark please share the episode and help spread the stories that prove women are never to be underestimated.
Your ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify keeps these stories alive.
Credits:
Audio Editing + Sound Design: Daryl Missen – https://vinilo.com.au/
Executive Producer: George Donikian: https://www.donikianmedia.com.au/
Disclaimer: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More
What actually makes a founder investable - and why hustle culture may be working against women. In this episode of the Power Of Women Podcast, Di Gillett sits down with Dan Copsey - entrepreneur, investor, and Group CEO, to unpack what investors really assess when backing founders, particularly women. This is not a surface-level conversation about confidence or pitching harder. Dan reveals why honesty beats hype, why performative hustle culture is a red flag, and why many of the most investable female founders are undervaluing what they already bring to the table. From founder-investor dynamics to gender bias in startup rooms, this episode delivers an unfiltered investor lens every ambitious woman in business needs to hear. You’ll hear: Why honesty is the #1 trait investors look forThe biggest red flags investors see in pitchesWhy hustle culture is failing founders - especially womenWhat female founders are doing right but not articulatingHow motherhood, life load and leadership are undervalued assetsWhat makes an investor–founder relationship succeed long-termHow to know when your business is truly ready to scale. New podcast episodes drop every Monday to power your week. Be the first to catch inspiring interviews, empowering stories, and thought-provoking conversations. 🎧 Watch and subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts. ✔ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuAx74qUBrHxaQPEnxRpTw?sub_confirmation=1 ✔ Follow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4hUXLl9Oc8xSSmR652wP3c?si=554c1a25f0e848a8 ✔ Follow on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/power-of-women-podcast/id1735659590 ✔ Follow on the website: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast/ Who is Dan Copsey? Dan Copsey is an Australian businessman, entrepreneur and active investor. He advises and consults for numerous founders and executives as well several charity organisations. He is currently Chief Executive Officer for TMSPC Pty Ltd which boasts a portfolio of leading advertising agencies, premium hospitality ventures, and impactful not-for-profit investments Find Dan at: Website https://dancopsey.com/media/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancopsey/ Connect with Di & engage with Power Of Women: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/di-gillett-power-of-women/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/power_of_women_podcast/ Contact https://powerofwomen.com.au/contact/ 💫 If this conversation lit a spark please share the episode and help spread the stories that prove women are never to be underestimated. Your ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify keeps these stories alive. Credits: Audio Editing + Sound Design: Daryl Missen – https://vinilo.com.au/ Executive Producer: George Donikian: https://www.donikianmedia.com.au/ Disclaimer: https://powerofwomen.com.au/podcast-disclaimer/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.