Lifted Ventures has announced the launch of its 2025–2027 5-Point Manifesto, a new roadmap for systemic change that will accelerate women’s wealth, confidence and opportunity across the UK regions.
The announcement was made by co-founders Jordan Dargue and Helen Oldham at the firm’s Athena Festival in Leeds, the largest female founder event outside of London, on Lifted’s two-year anniversary.
Its commitments are to back 30 regional female founders with capital and hands-on support to scale bold ideas; activate 75 new women angel investors by lowering barriers and normalising investing as a wealth-building strategy; grow a community of 500 women in VC and co-investment, amplifying the visibility and power of women investors; educate 500 female founders to be investment-ready, building financial mastery and investor confidence; and unite 1,000 people at investment events including the Athena Festival, Athena VC and Lifted Women Angels Conference.
The network says the manifesto is a call to action to mobilise investors, founders and ecosystem partners.
“We envision a future where women across every UK region lead with innovation, powered by capital and collaboration,” said Dargue. “This manifesto isn’t just about numbers, it’s about changing the system.
“We’re backing women where they are underfunded, underrepresented and undervalued, and we’re doing it with a clear commitment to scale impact regionally.”
Lifted Ventures was founded with a mission to rebalance the scales of investment. With the majority of capital still concentrated in London, female founders in the UK regions remain underfunded and overlooked.
Dargue and Oldham are determined to ignite female entrepreneurship across the North, Midlands, Scotland, Wales and beyond.
“Women across the UK are brimming with talent and ambition, yet too often locked out of the investment conversation,” said Oldham. “Through our five commitments, we’re building a movement of women investors and founders who will not just participate, but lead. This is about legacy, leadership and unlocking economic power for the next generation.”
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