Funding is one of the greatest challenges female founders face. Despite the innovation and returns women-led businesses generate, access to capital remains unequal. In the UK, less than 2% of venture capital funding goes to women-founded businesses. This gap is not about capability — it’s about access.
But there’s good news: funding pathways do exist. From grants to crowdfunding to angel investors and venture capital, women entrepreneurs today have more opportunities than ever before to secure the resources they need to build and scale. The key is knowing where to look, how to prepare and how to align the right type of funding with your stage of business.
Here’s a guide to the funding opportunities every female founder should know about.
1. Grants: Non-Repayable Boosts for Innovation and Growth
Grants are one of the most attractive forms of funding because they don’t require repayment or equity. They are often provided by government agencies, charities or private organisations to stimulate innovation, inclusion, or sector-specific growth.
Key Example
- Innovate UK – Women in Innovation Awards
Designed to support women leading ambitious projects, this programme provides not only funding but also mentoring and business support. It’s one of the most high-profile opportunities specifically backing female entrepreneurs.
Other Opportunities
- Regional growth funds and local enterprise partnerships (LEPs).
- Industry-specific grants (e.g., for sustainability, technology or creative sectors).
Tip: Grants are competitive. Tailor your application to highlight not just your business idea, but its impact — economic, social or environmental.
2. Business Loans: Flexible Capital for Day-to-Day Growth
Loans are a more traditional funding route, offering flexibility for working capital, expansion or equipment purchases. While women have historically been less likely to apply for business loans, they remain a crucial option.
What to Consider
- Government-backed schemes, such as the Start Up Loans programme in the UK, often provide lower interest rates and mentorship alongside capital.
- Specialist lenders may also have products designed for small businesses and startups.
Tip: Be clear on repayment terms and ensure your business model can sustain repayments without undue pressure on cash flow.
3. Crowdfunding: Power in Numbers
Crowdfunding has transformed access to finance, enabling entrepreneurs to raise capital directly from customers, supporters, and communities. It also doubles as a marketing tool, helping to validate your idea and build a loyal audience.
Two Main Types
- Consumer-based crowdfunding – Customers pre-purchase your product or service (e.g., Kickstarter).
- Equity-based crowdfunding – Backers invest in exchange for shares in your company (e.g., Crowdcube, Seedrs).
Why It Works for Women
Crowdfunding often plays to women’s strengths in community-building and storytelling. Successful campaigns connect emotionally with backers and create visibility far beyond the funding itself.
Tip: Crowdfunding campaigns require strong preparation — from creating engaging videos to building pre-launch momentum. Treat it like a full marketing campaign, not just a fundraising exercise.
4. Angel Investors: Early-Stage Champions
Angel investors are individuals who invest their own money into startups, often providing mentorship and introductions alongside capital. For female founders, angel investment can be particularly powerful because it often comes with advocacy and long-term support.
Key Example
- Angel Academe
A leading UK angel network that specifically invests in women-led businesses. Beyond capital, Angel Academe offers guidance, community and visibility.
Other Networks
- Fund Her North – supporting female entrepreneurs across the North of England.
- Investing Women Angels – Scotland’s first women-focused angel group.
Tip: When pitching to angels, focus on both your business case and your story. Angels often invest in founders as much as in ideas.
5. Venture Capital: Scaling Ambitions
Venture capital (VC) is designed for businesses with high-growth potential, particularly those in technology, innovation or scalable sectors. Historically, VC has been one of the most challenging areas for women to access — but that’s beginning to change.
Key Example
- Ada Ventures
A UK-based VC fund investing in overlooked founders, with a commitment to backing women and underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Other Inclusive VCs
- Voulez Capital – Europe’s first VC for female founders.
- January Ventures – focused on early-stage female and diverse founders.
Tip: VC funding isn’t for every business. Be sure your model is scalable and that you’re comfortable with the growth expectations and equity trade-offs that come with venture investment.
How to Prepare for Funding
No matter which funding pathway you pursue, preparation is key. Here are practical steps to get ready:
- Refine your business plan: Be clear about your model, market, and growth strategy.
- Know your numbers: Investors and lenders want to see solid financials — forecasts, cash flow and evidence of traction.
- Polish your pitch: Whether it’s a grant application or an investor pitch, clarity and storytelling matter.
- Build your network: Many opportunities come through introductions. Joining communities like Female Founders Rise or AccelerateHER can connect you to funders.
- Be persistent: Funding often takes longer than expected. Stay resilient and don’t take rejection as failure — it’s part of the process.
Conclusion: Capital is Within Reach
While female founders continue to face systemic barriers in accessing capital, the landscape is changing. Grants, loans, crowdfunding, angels and venture capital all present pathways to growth and many organisations are now actively seeking to support women-led businesses.
The key is not to go it alone. Use the resources, networks and support available to you. That’s exactly why The Female Resource Hub exists: to provide you with one-stop access to funding opportunities and funders who believe in your vision.
What To Do Next…
Explore the Funding & Investment Opportunities section of The Female Resource Hub Directory. Discover grants, loans, angel investors and venture capital funds designed to support women-led businesses like yours.