Looking for the best investors for female founders? From venture capital firms and angel investor networks to accelerators, crowdfunding platforms and grants, there are a growing number of funding routes available to women looking to start or scale a business.
The Women’s Journal has rounded up some of the leading investors and funding opportunities backing women-led businesses in the UK and beyond. We also spoke to female founders, business leaders and investment experts about their fundraising experiences, what investors look for and how to choose the right funding partner for your business.
Editor’s Picks: The Best Investors and Funding for Female Founders
- Best VC for Female Founders: Female Founders Fund
- Best Inclusive Early-Stage VC: Ada Ventures
- Best UK VC for Female Founders: Pink Salt Ventures
- Best Angel Investor Network for Female Founders: Angel Academe
- Best Angel Network for Women-Led Businesses: Golden Seeds
- Best for Female Founders Outside London: Lifted Ventures
- Best Global Startup Accelerator: Techstars
- Best for Early-Stage Founders: Antler
- Best for UK Innovation Funding: Innovate UK
- Best Equity Crowdfunding Platform: Crowdcube
Why Female Founders Need the Right Investor
Choosing the right investor is about more than securing funding. Female founders should look for investors who understand their business vision. Investors also need to offer valuable support beyond financial backing, including expertise, industry connections, networks and access to new opportunities.
The right investor can become a long-term partner, providing guidance and support as a business grows. Jill Williams is the Regional Portfolio Partner for North & Midlands at BGF, which the ScaleUp Institute has recognised as the leading investor in female-powered scale-ups in the UK over the past five years. She shares what female founders should consider when choosing an investor:
“The right investor should provide value beyond investment. Look for a partner who can offer strategic and specialist advice, introduce valuable professional and peer networks, open doors to new opportunities and maintain support throughout the scaling journey.
“Although every business needs something different, it’s also important to choose an investor whose ambitions align with yours and who understands your long-term vision and timelines, rather than seeking control. Strong investor relationships are built on trust, transparency and shared goals, not simply financial backing.”
How We Chose the Best Investors for Female Founders
We selected these investors and funding providers based on their support for female entrepreneurs, investment opportunities and track record of helping businesses grow. We looked at factors including funding available, industry expertise, founder support and the opportunities they offer beyond financial backing.
Our list includes investors focused on women-led businesses, as well as venture capital firms, angel networks, accelerators, crowdfunding platforms and funding providers that support female founders at different stages of their journey.
Types of Investors Explained
There are several funding options available to female founders, and each one offers different benefits depending on your stage of business. From angel investors to government grants, understanding how each option works can help you choose the right fit for your business.
As Jill explains, “The right funding route needs to match a founder’s specific ambitions, the stage of the business and the preferred level of investor involvement […] Grants, crowdfunding, accelerators and angel investment may be more appropriate at earlier stages or for businesses with different objectives. The most important thing is choosing funding that aligns with your growth plans and preferred way of building the business.”
Angel Investors
When entrepreneurs and experienced business professionals invest their own money in exchange for a minority stake in a company, this is known as angel investment. Angel investors can work independently or invest together as part of a syndicate. In these cases, there is usually a lead angel who arranges and manages the investment deal.
It is important to note that angel investors often bring much more than just financial backing. They can provide mentoring, valuable industry connections and a hands-on approach, allowing entrepreneurs to benefit from their skills and expertise.
We spoke to Charlotte Ridley about her own entrepreneurial journey as the founder and CEO of Yoree, a photo app that transforms your memories into meaningfully curated stories. She advocates for angel investment, particularly in the early phases, to build connections and unlock new opportunities:
“Personally, I’m a strong believer in angel investment during the early stages. The best angels don’t just provide funding; they become mentors, open doors, introduce customers and bring expertise that would otherwise be impossible to afford. Choosing the right angels can significantly accelerate a business.”
Venture Capital Firms
Venture capital firms, or VCs, are organisations that provide private funding to businesses with strong growth potential. VCs typically invest in early-stage companies in exchange for equity, meaning they receive a share of ownership in the business. This funding often comes from private equity firms or investment funds.
Unlike traditional lenders, VCs look for businesses that have the potential to scale quickly. Alongside financial investment, they can also offer valuable expertise, industry connections and mentorship, much like angel investors.
Seed Investors
Seed investors provide funding during the earliest stages of a business, helping founders turn an idea into a company. Seed funding can come from a range of sources, including angel investors, venture capital firms, startup accelerators and crowdfunding platforms. This type of funding gives founders the financial support they need to grow their business in its initial stages.
Equity Crowdfunding
Equity crowdfunding allows businesses to raise funding from a large number of investors through an online platform. After listing their business, founders pitch their idea to potential investors, who decide whether to invest in exchange for equity. As well as helping businesses raise funding, equity crowdfunding can increase visibility and build a community of people who believe in your business.
Startup Accelerators
Startup accelerators are programmes that support early-stage businesses over a fixed period of time. They offer potential investment, mentoring and valuable learning opportunities. Accelerators help founders to develop their business ideas, as well as build connections and skills needed to grow their companies. It is important to be aware that some accelerators take an equity share, so it is vital to do your research before choosing one.
Government Grants
Business grants provided by the government differ from other funding routes, as they do not usually need to be paid back. Grants are available to support businesses in areas such as training, development and expansion. One of the main advantages is that they allow founders to access funding without giving away equity in their company.
However, grants often have specific eligibility criteria and application processes, so it is important to research the options available and check whether your business meets the requirements.
Overall, it is essential to be aware of the different funding routes when selecting the best one for your business. Joanna Nicola, founder of TOCU vitamin patches, shares her advice for choosing an investor route after securing investment for her brand: “There are multiple options; there’s no one-size-fits-all route. It depends on your stage, your ambitions and how much equity you’re prepared to give away […] Founders should carefully consider which route suits them and their business best.”
The Best Venture Capital Firms for Female Founders
Venture capital firms can provide female founders with valuable expertise and mentorship beyond just financial support. Our list of the best VCs for female founders spotlights firms that support women-led businesses through investment, guidance and opportunities for growth.
Female Founders Fund
Founded in 2014, Female Founders Fund provides seed investment to female founders building businesses with strong growth potential. The fund focuses on supporting women-led companies at the early stages of their journey, offering more than just financial backing.
Alongside investment, Female Founders Fund provides founders with access to a female network, resources and industry expertise to help them grow their businesses. The fund has backed companies that have gone on to achieve more than $3 billion in enterprise value, making it one of the leading investors supporting female founders.
Ada Ventures
Ada Ventures was founded in 2018 by Francesca Warner and Matt Penneycard. It is a pre-seed inclusive venture capital firm supporting European founders building businesses for a better future. The firm invests in technology companies across areas including climate equity, economic empowerment and healthy ageing.
Ada Ventures focuses on finding and funding overlooked founders, providing early-stage investment alongside access to a wider network. Its inclusive approach makes it a strong choice of investor for female founders and other underrepresented entrepreneurs.
BBG Ventures
BBG Ventures backs B2B and B2C companies at the pre-seed and seed stages, supporting founders with diverse backgrounds and experiences. With a focus on inclusive investing, the firm is particularly recognised for supporting female founders and helping underrepresented entrepreneurs access early-stage funding.
Alongside financial backing, BBG Ventures offers founders access to CEO coaching, operator support, storytelling guidance and networking opportunities to help them grow their businesses.
Pink Salt Ventures
Pink Salt Ventures is a London-based venture capital firm founded in 2019. As the UK’s first VC for female founders, it invests in early-stage female-founded companies across sectors including technology, consumer goods, financial services and healthcare. Founders can also benefit from business support and guidance from their network.
Sie Ventures
Sie Ventures was founded by Triin Linamagi in response to the lack of equal funding opportunities for women. Bringing clarity to the fundraising process, Sie Ventures supports female founders, providing them with greater access to capital and networks.
With their Arya Sie Fund, founder programmes and Sie Syndicate network, the firm offers a range of funding pathways to suit female founders’ unique journeys.
Beringea
Established in the 1980s, Beringea is a transatlantic venture capital firm supporting ambitious businesses across the UK and US. The firm invests in growing companies with strong potential, providing capital and strategic support.
With decades of experience supporting entrepreneurs, Beringea offers more than financial backing, connecting founders with industry expertise, networks and guidance throughout their growth journey. The firm has also supported initiatives aimed at improving diversity within venture capital and increasing opportunities for female founders.
Backstage Capital
Founded by Arlan Hamilton in 2015, Backstage Capital is a venture capital firm committed to supporting underrepresented founders. Having invested in more than 200 companies led by diverse entrepreneurs, the firm focuses on nurturing businesses that may have been overlooked by traditional investors.
Backstage Capital invests from pre-seed to Series A and beyond, providing founders with the funding and support needed to grow their businesses.
Astia
In 2000, Catherine (Cate) Muther founded Astia in San Francisco, formerly known as the Women’s Technology Cluster. The organisation supports women-led companies by helping female founders access investment, expertise and opportunities to grow their businesses.
With a global network of experts and investors, Astia provides founders with the connections and support needed along their entrepreneurial journey.
The Best Angel Investor Networks for Female Founders
Angel investor networks connect founders with investors who provide funding and support to help businesses grow. Below, we have highlighted some of the best networks for female founders.
Angel Academe
Angel Academe is an award-winning UK-based angel investor network for female founders. Founded in 2014 by Sarah Turner and Simon Hopkins, the network connects investors with technology businesses that have at least one woman on the founding team.
Working with a mainly female investor network, Angel Academe helps founders access investment opportunities while also bringing together entrepreneurs, industry experts and experienced investors.
Golden Seeds
Golden Seeds is an angel investor network that funds women-led businesses. The network was founded in 2004 and aims to help women entrepreneurs access capital. It invests in early-stage companies across a range of industries.
Through its network of investors, Golden Seeds supports female founders by providing investment opportunities and connecting entrepreneurs with experienced investors.
Portfolia
Founded by Trish Costello in 2015, Portfolia is a venture capital investment platform that brings together investors to fund companies focused on creating positive change. The platform creates funds focused on areas including women’s health, active ageing, sustainability and technology.
Portfolia invests in businesses that aim to enhance lives and build a better future. The firm also focuses on increasing the number of women participating in venture investing.
Lifted Ventures
Lifted Ventures was founded by Jordan Dargue and Helen Oldham in 2024. The UK-based organisation works to close the funding gap, faced particularly by female founders based outside London and the South East.
The organisation provides investment education programmes that help women entrepreneurs better understand the fundraising process and prepare for investment. Through their investment education programmes and angel investor network, Lifted Ventures is creating more opportunities for women in business.
Investing Women Angels
Investing Women Angels seeks to advance women-owned businesses through investment, education and community. The organisation operates as a female-led angel investment syndicate, providing a supportive space and a network for women to explore investment opportunities.
With events such as their monthly Lunch & Learn sessions, they aim to provide an accessible introduction to how angel investing works and its benefits.
The Best Startup Accelerators for Female Founders
Startup accelerators support early-stage businesses through programmes designed to help founders develop and scale their companies. We have selected some of the standout accelerators for female-led businesses.
Techstars
Techstars supports founders through mentorship and provides access to experienced business leaders, investors and its wider global network. They support founders through mentorship, with leaders from companies such as HubSpot, Stripe, and Google. Additionally, they offer funding and access to their wider network, with partners including corporations, start-up communities and universities.
The Techstars accelerator programme provides early-stage businesses with investment and guidance to help them develop. Working across a range of industries, the organisation connects them with mentors, investors and other entrepreneurs on the programme.
Antler
Formed in 2017, Antler is a global early-stage VC firm supporting founders from the very beginning of their start-up journey. The firm has locations worldwide and invests in businesses at the earliest stages, including those that are pre-team or pre-idea.
Having locations across the world, Antler provides access to a global founder community, as well as advisors and resources. The organisation aims to help entrepreneurs develop their ideas in the early stages, build companies and access funding opportunities.
Entrepreneur First
Entrepreneur First was founded in 2011 by Alice Bentinck and Matt Clifford. The global investor supports individuals at the earliest stages of entrepreneurship, including people who may not yet have a business idea or co-founder.
EF helps aspiring entrepreneurs find co-founders, develop their ideas and access investment. It also provides access to mentors, advisers and a global founder community.
Founders Factory
Spanning five continents with a team of 60+ operators, Founders Factory coaches founders at idea, pre-seed and seed level. As well as supporting founders as they grow their start-ups, Founders Factory also provides the opportunity to co-found a company on one of their programmes.
The team is diverse, coming from a wide range of backgrounds and industries. With a solutions-focused and inclusive attitude to entrepreneurship, the organisation is an accessible option for female founders looking to grow their business.
Google for Startups Accelerator
With a cohort of 10-15 top startups, the programme helps businesses to develop through 1-1 mentorship, a mixture of in-person and remote events and sprint projects. Founders can share their current challenges and will be paired with a relevant expert from Google and their industry. As well as mentorship, participants can complete specialist sessions on areas such as product design, customer acquisition and leadership.
Microsoft for Startups
Microsoft for Startups is a global programme helping startups develop their businesses through access to technology and expert guidance. The programme provides eligible startups with Azure credits, AI tools and technical support to help them build upon and improve their products. It also gives founders access to business resources and opportunities to connect with Microsoft’s wider network.
The Best Government Funding and Grant Providers
From startup grants to business support schemes, government funding can help female founders access the resources needed to grow their companies. Here are some of the key grant providers and funding schemes to know about.
Innovate UK
Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency, providing funding and support to help businesses develop new products, services and technologies.
The organisation also offers businesses expert support and connections across the innovation ecosystem. Support includes grants, loans and other funding options for eligible businesses.
British Business Bank
The British Business Bank is the UK’s economic development bank, helping smaller businesses access the finance they need to start and grow. Working with delivery partners across the UK, the organisation offers a range of funding programmes and finance options.
Beth Bannister, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, highlights the importance of understanding the funding routes available:
“The British Business Bank works to improve access to finance across the UK, including for groups and regions that have historically been underserved. For female founders, understanding the range of available funding routes is particularly important to ensure they can identify the option that best supports their ambitions. Our latest research shows that 30% of Bank-supported equity deals involve at least one female founder, compared with 25% across the wider market, demonstrating the importance of continuing to widen access to investment.”
The Best Equity Crowdfunding Platforms
Equity crowdfunding provides another route for female founders looking to raise investment and build support around their businesses. These are some of the best platforms to know about.
Crowdcube
Crowdcube is an equity crowdfunding platform that helps businesses raise investment from a community of investors. Founders can offer shares in their company in exchange for funding. With more than 1.8 million registered investors worldwide, Crowdcube gives businesses access to a large investment community. The platform has helped raise over £1 billion for campaigns, trusts and funds, giving founders another option for securing investment.
Republic Europe
Republic Europe connects startups with a global network of investors. The platform allows businesses to raise funding, also giving investors the chance to invest in private companies. Founders can access a wider range of investors, including individuals and experienced investors.
How to Choose the Right Investor for Your Business
Choosing the right investor for your business as a female founder is about more than securing funding. Iman Hasan, founder of Biohack-it Media Group & IHC Agency, notes that it is important to find an investor who understands your business vision and can offer the right level of involvement:
“The biggest mistake I see founders make is getting caught up in the size of the cheque or the valuation. Money is important, but you’re not just taking someone’s investment; you’re choosing someone who could be on your cap table and around your board table for the next seven to ten years […] The right investor should bring much more than capital. They should bring experience, mentorship, introductions, pattern recognition, and hopefully help you avoid mistakes they’ve seen other founders make.”
Reena Popat, Chief Operations Officer at the private equity-backed law firm Orwins, also believes cultural fit and shared ambition should be top of mind when choosing an investor. Drawing on her experience building a business alongside investors, she explains:
“Founders need to understand both the ambitions of the private equity house and its investors and make sure those ambitions align with your own. It really does need to be a shared ambition if it is to truly work. That will mean founders should look at their track record and experience, and the approach they take. Will they be a hands-off investor? Will they offer the support you might need to achieve growth? Or will they look to put their own management team into the business?”
Beth Bannister also recommends researching an investor’s portfolio before making a decision. Speaking with founders they have backed can provide valuable insight into their approach and the value they add beyond the initial investment.
How to Increase Your Chances of Securing Investment
Securing investment requires founders to demonstrate a clear understanding of their business, build confidence with investors and be prepared for the challenges that come with fundraising.
Know Your Numbers
Investors want to understand the potential of a business, but they also need reassurance that founders have considered the risks involved. Iman explains that investors are looking to reduce risk and will assess whether founders have pressure-tested their business model, understand their customers and have a realistic growth path.
This means founders should be prepared to discuss areas such as their financial model, unit economics, margins, runway and how they plan to scale the business.
Ask Questions and Find the Right Fit
While investors will assess whether a business is the right opportunity for them, founders should also take the time to decide whether an investor is the right fit for their company. Reena highlights the importance of asking questions and understanding an investor’s approach:
“Ask lots of questions. Investors will put founders under the spotlight, but you should do the same. It is a big decision for every founder, and you need to be comfortable that they will be the right fit for you and your business. So, ask lots of questions – they will be expecting them.”
Be Prepared for Rejection
Fundraising can be a challenging process, and resilience is essential when navigating investor feedback and rejection. Charlotte explains that founders should view every conversation as an opportunity to learn:
“One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was that you have to earn your first ‘yes’ by collecting a lot of ‘no’s’. Every conversation teaches you something. Listen carefully to feedback, look for recurring themes, but don’t lose sight of your vision. If you change direction every time someone says no, you’ll end up building the company everyone else wants rather than the one you set out to create.”
Ultimately, securing investment is not only about the business idea itself, but also the founder behind it. Joanna, founder of TOCU vitamin patches, explains:
“Investors invest in the founder as much as the products or service itself. They want to know that the people behind the business can successfully execute their plans and have the skills to do this. With this in mind, resilience is incredibly important because every business faces setbacks; it’s how you adapt and learn from the challenges that sets you apart.”
Best Investors for Female Founders FAQs
How do female founders find investors?
Female founders can find investors through different routes, including venture capital firms, angel investor networks, startup accelerators, crowdfunding platforms and funding providers. It is important to choose an investor that understands your business goals and can offer support beyond funding.
How do I find investors for my startup in the UK?
Female founders can find investors in the UK through venture capital firms, angel investor networks, startup accelerators and equity crowdfunding platforms. You can also explore government-backed funding and support through organisations such as Innovate UK and the British Business Bank. Research investors that fund businesses at your stage and in your sector, and consider their expertise, network and level of involvement as well as the investment they offer.
Which investors specialise in women-led businesses?
Some investors focus specifically on supporting women-led businesses. These include the Female Founders Fund, Pink Salt Ventures, Sie Ventures, Angel Academe and Golden Seeds. Other venture capital firms, angel networks and funding providers also support female founders through their investment programmes.
What is the difference between an angel investor and a venture capital firm?
An angel investor usually invests their own money into early-stage businesses, often offering mentorship and industry connections as well as funding. Venture capital firms invest money from funds or private investors into businesses with strong growth potential, typically in exchange for equity.
What is seed funding?
Seed funding provides investment during the early stages of a business. It helps founders develop their product or service, build a team and prepare their company for future growth.
What is the difference between seed funding and Series A funding?
Seed funding is usually raised during the early stages of a business to help founders develop their business idea. Series A funding comes later, when a company has shown growth potential and is looking to scale further.
What percentage of venture capital funding goes to female founders?
According to the British Business Bank’s Small Business Equity Tracker 2026, all-female founder teams received 2% of total UK equity investment in 2025 and accounted for 7% of equity deals. While businesses with female founders are securing investment, a significant funding gap remains.
Can I get funding without giving away equity?
Yes. Some funding options, such as government grants, allow founders to access financial support without giving away ownership of their business. It is important to know that grants often have specific eligibility criteria and application processes.
Are there grants available for female entrepreneurs in the UK?
Yes, female entrepreneurs can explore different grants and funding programmes available in the UK. Government funding providers, such as Innovate UK and the British Business Bank, support eligible businesses through their different schemes and finance options.
What do investors look for before investing in a startup?
Investors usually look for a strong business idea, a clear market opportunity and evidence that the company can grow. They will also consider the founder’s skills, understanding of their customers and ability to execute their business plans.
How much equity should founders give away to investors?
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the amount of equity that founders should give away. The right decision depends on a variety of factors, including the stage of the business, the amount of funding needed and the value an investor can bring beyond financial support.
Can first-time founders get investment?
Many first-time founders can secure investment by presenting a strong business idea. It is essential to understand your market and show how you plan to grow. Investors will also consider the founder’s skills and the feasibility of their business plan.
What is the best funding option for an early-stage startup?
The best funding option will depend on the stage of your business, your plans to develop and the type of support you need. For example, early-stage founders may consider options such as grants, crowdfunding, accelerators and angel investment.
