Leeds-based venture capital firm Lifted Ventures has partnered with the British Business Bank to help to transform the investment landscape for women outside of London, by supporting both women-led startups and the women investors backing them.
This strategic collaboration focuses on increasing the flow of capital to female founders, while expanding the pool of women angel investors through targeted education and ecosystem-building initiatives.
Through this partnership, Lifted Ventures will deliver a series of initiatives, events and educational content designed to empower women founders and activate more investors to back them, supported by the British Business Bank.
Since its launch 20 months ago, the firm has facilitated 19 deals into women-led businesses, helping to leverage £6.5m in funding.
It has onboarded 57 angel investors and supported over 400 female founders through mentorship and training.
To date, 100 women have taken part in the Lifted Angel Academy education programmes, creating new investors across the North East, Yorkshire and the West Midlands.
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With only 14 per cent of the UK’s angel investors being women, with over 50 per cent of those based in London, the Lifted Angel Academy aims to increase women angel capacity across the regions.
“We know that women continue to face barriers in accessing early-stage finance, both as founders and as investors. That’s why this partnership is so important,” said Delyth Edwards, senior manager at British Business Bank.
“By working with Lifted Ventures, we can help unlock more capital, create more inclusive investor networks, and drive systemic change across the regions.”
Lifted Ventures co-founders Jordan Dargue and Helen Oldham are both listed on BusinessCloud’s inaugural Northern Leaders 2024 List.
Dargue added: “We’re on a mission to reshape who gets funded – and who gets to fund. By educating, activating, and connecting more women angels, we’re helping build a virtuous circle of investment where women are ok empowered to back other women.
“Partnering with the British Business Bank allows us to do this at greater scale and pace.”
Oldham commented: “To close the gender funding gap, we must focus on both sides of the table. That means giving women founders access to capital and entrepreneur education – and ensuring more women are in a position to deploy it.
“Our work with the British Business Bank is a powerful step toward a more balanced, inclusive, and sustainable investment ecosystem in the North.”
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