Founder Catalyst – partnering for founder-friendly fundraising

Tell us about your business, and how you support or collaborate with women-led businesses.

FounderCatalyst is the most cost-effective way to prepare and close equity funding rounds swiftly, while also supporting founders with EMI and unapproved option schemes. 

We combine robust tools with expert guidance from people who’ve lived the founder journey — and exited successfully. 

We’re proud to support under-represented founders, especially those with mission-led businesses, by offering pro-bono services and shining a weekly spotlight through our ‘Female Founder Friday’ series.

What does “Female Founders Rise” mean to you, and why did you choose to partner with us?

FFR is the only organisation we sponsor — because we’re fully aligned in our mission to deliver meaningful outcomes for female founders and remove barriers to funding. 

Oh, and Emmie’s unrelenting drive to make this happen is absolutely contagious!

What shifts or trends are you seeing — or hoping to see — in the world of female entrepreneurship?

We’re seeing a powerful wave of intentionality — female founders building businesses that align with their values, their lives, and their impact goals. 

We hope to see even more capital directed toward these purposeful ventures and the systemic support needed to sustain them.

What’s one initiative, programme, or piece of work you’re proud to be involved in right now that supports diverse entrepreneurship?

Beyond sponsoring FFR, we’re proud to offer regular pro-bono support to under-represented founders. 

Our ‘Female Founder Friday’ campaign shines a light on one brilliant female founder each week — celebrating their stories, resilience, and wins.

Who’s a female or non-binary founder you admire — and what have you learned from them?

We’ve had the pleasure of supporting FFR member Catherine Ann Reid over the past few years. She’s the perfect mix of drive, strategic thinking, empathy, and wicked humour. Catherine Ann reminds us that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to consume your whole identity — it’s possible to build ambitiously and live fully.