A new survey reveals that women entrepreneurs in the UK struggle to secure funding, face investor discrimination, and juggle work-life responsibilities.
The study, which surveyed over 400 women entrepreneurs, found that nearly 70% encountered significant challenges in accessing funding. Many reported receiving a disproportionately smaller share of venture capital, grants, and loans compared to male entrepreneurs.
The research was conducted by Female Founders Rise (FFR), a network of over 9,000 women entrepreneurs, in collaboration with software industry group Boardwave. The data was collected by analytics platform Wholesum. The groups plan to submit their findings to the UK government’s parliamentary inquiry into female entrepreneurship, which closes for submissions on Friday.
Emmie Faust, serial entrepreneur and founder of FFR, expressed frustration over the persistent funding gap.
“I keep seeing this data over and over again, and I don’t want to keep reporting it—I want to see real solutions and action,” Faust told Sifted.
She emphasized the need for alternative funding models and mechanisms to ensure more financial resources reach women-led businesses.
Bias and Lack of Support Hinder Growth of Women Entrepreneurs
Among the 419 members surveyed from FFR and Boardwave’s communities, 49% reported experiencing systemic bias and discrimination when seeking funding. One participant recalled being questioned about the true origin of their business idea, while another received an email from a venture capitalist stating they weren’t “aggressive enough” to secure investment.
Additionally, 29% of respondents said the absence of strong networks and mentorship opportunities negatively impacted their success as entrepreneurs.
In response to these challenges, FFR and Boardwave have proposed several recommendations for the UK government. These include:
- Ensuring a portion of government-backed funding goes to women-led companies.
- Allocating more government contracts to businesses founded by women.
- Implementing a scheme similar to France’s gender equity initiative, which aims for equal representation in the tech and finance sectors.
The findings highlight the need for concrete policy changes to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs in the UK.
