Support and Funding for Female Founders
Female-led start-ups are in the minority in the UK, with just over one-third (37%) of new businesses being launched by women. Whatsmore statistically women receive less than 1% of venture capital and have an average starting capital 50% lower than men. With over 1,100 new businesses launching in Britain each day only one in three of the entrepreneurs involved is female. Despite difficult economic times, the confidence of female entrepreneurs continues to grow, with over 150,000 new all-women-led companies being founded in 2022 – more than ever before.
NorthInvest aims to improve access to funding for female-led businesses in the North of England. We are passionate about supporting female founders to achieve their goals and are dedicated to giving Northern, female business leaders equal access to funding to help them successfully scale their businesses.
Why NorthInvest?
In recent years we have seen an increase in support and advocacy developed to help women get their business ideas off the ground.
Here at NorthInvest our experienced team of entrepreneur coaches and investment professionals offer tailored support to female founders. We do this by providing connections, educating business leaders and by holding their hands through the funding raising process for businesses at all stages.
At NorthInvest we are committed to supporting female and diverse founders across the North of England and have a particular focus on investing across all innovation and creative products and services, with a particular focus on businesses who are socially, ethically or environmentally responsible.
How does NorthInvest support female entrepreneurs?
Stage One: Assess your opportunity
We assess your opportunity and connect you to an entrepreneur coach who will work with you to offer you guidance and support in order to prepare you to meet investors.
Stage Two: Refine your pitch
We will work with you to refine your investor pitch deck and make introductions to professional services experts to support on financial modelling, IP and legal requirements. In addition, we will work with you to refine your presenting skills, giving you the confidence and know-how in order to pitch your business successfully when you meet investors.
Stage Three: Introduce you to investors
We will introduce you to our vast private investor network as well as invite you to pitch at one of our monthly pitchings attended by the network of investors. In addition, we will introduce your opportunity to our co-investor networks operating across the region including funds, Venture Capitalists, Family Offices and Private High Net Worths.
Whatsmore Fund Her North, a volunteer collective of over 30 women (in VC’s, funding organisations and angel groups), with a combined investment power of over £650 million is part of NorthInvest so we will make introductions via Fund Her North to the wider regional investor community and The Women Angels of the North Investor Syndicate.
Stage Four: Close your deal
We will hold your hand through the full process working closely with co-investors to ensure a seamless close out of the opportunity.
Stage Five: Introduce you to advisors
We will also make introductions to experienced advisors and NED’s in our network should you need additional expertise in your business.
Here at NorthInvest, we want to create a safe landing place for female founders regardless who are looking to raise investment.
By working with NorthInvest you will be connected to a welcoming team of experts who will guide you through each stage of the investment process giving female founders equal access to funding to help them successfully raise investment and grow their business to its full potential.