Up to £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men.*

Female Founders Rise and other resources are available to help you take that first step toward building a profitable, long-term business.

Join the Community

*The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship

Breaking barriers for 
women in business.

Government research found only 15% of UK businesses are owned or led by women – a steep decline and the lowest that figure’s been since before the pandemic.

Let’s be frank, we know women face more barriers to starting a business than men. From securing funding to finding the right support network, the challenges are real.

And while tenacity, self-belief and drive are all vital ingredients, having what it takes isn’t all it takes.

That’s where Female Founders Rise comes in. It breaks down those barriers – empowering women with the resources, community, and support around funding options to succeed. The potential is huge, and together we can help women overcome barriers and take the lead.

*Source: Annual survey of 7,800 businesses employing fewer than 250 people. The Department for Business and Trade.

Women are a better bet.

“Start-ups founded and co-founded by women are also better financial investments. 
For every dollar of funding, these businesses generate 78 cents, while male-founded start-ups generate just 31 cents.”*

*Why Women-Owned Startups Are a Better Bet – Boston Consulting Group

They’ve got what it takes.

We spoke to female founders and asked them what it takes to start and run a business. From patience and optimism, to setting boundaries and having a great support network, the answers were varied, thoughtful and sometimes surprising. Swipe left or right to see more.

Help getting started.

Female Founders Rise connects you with a community of like-minded women and gives you access to resources that’ll help turn your vision into reality.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, we’ll help you find the resources, mentorship, and community to guide you. The Female Founders Rise community includes tailored advice, a virtual fundraising accelerator, networking opportunities, and much more.

There are loads of other great initiatives and communities for female founders to support you on your journey, here are a few:

Celebrate being a female founder.

We’ve created a set of assets for social media that you can download to show the world you’ve got what it takes and that you support female-led business.

81% of 11-18-year-olds are unable to name a single female entrepreneur.*

*Source: Research undertaken by OnePoll on behalf of Santander UK in November 2019

Unlock £250 billion of potential.

Up to £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men.* By supporting female founders, you’re not only helping women succeed – you’re also contributing to economic growth.

Female Founders Rise provides a directory of female-founded businesses, making it easier to invest in, buy from, and collaborate with women-led companies.

*Source: The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship

Explore Female Founders Directory

Ways to support.

Buy from women-owned businesses: Explore our directory of female-founded businesses and discover innovative products and services.

Invest in women-led companies: Female-led startups deliver higher returns on investment, generating 78 cents for every dollar invested. Supporting these businesses helps drive sustainable growth.

Hire female founders: Need freelancers or fractional support? Many women entrepreneurs offer expert services in a wide range of fields.

Champion diversity in business: Advocate for better funding options, mentor a female founder, or simply share the message that women-led businesses are a better bet.

Who’s making this campaign happen?

Female Founders Rise is a community of nearly 8,000 female and non-binary founders building high-growth businesses. The organisation provides a wealth of resources, funding support, and networking opportunities to empower female founders across the UK.

YeahNice is a creative studio for the tech, lifestyle and entertainment sectors. With a female MD and a team driven by purpose, YeahNice is passionate about advocating for female founders and crafting campaigns that make a real-world impact. We combine strategy, design and ambition to create brands and experiences people rally behind.

Glooh is a tactical marketing tool for bringing creative campaigns to digital OOH with a powerful content designer and a transparent planner. Create, plan and execute engaging campaigns in minutes.

Contributors

Campaign photography: Belinda Walshe
OOH support: JCDecaux UK, Zoom Media, NextGen Media
Hair & makeup: Michele Baylis
Venue: Kindred
Additional copy: Sarah Matthews
Web development: Rob Fenech

How you can get started

If you’re looking to start, build and grow a business you’re in the right place. Trusted online resources, weekly newsletter and free community events for all. Great to dip your toe in if you are exploring entrepreneurship and wanting to set yourself up for success. For the price of two coffees a week you can join our RISERS membership and get access to even more support. Connect with others in our private group, get targeted opportunities and content based on where you are at in your journey.

Register as a member

You’ve got what it takes