New research seeks to understand barriers women face to becoming angel investors
Angel investing is a great way to learn, share expertise and participate in the growth stories of new businesses, so why don’t more women do it?
Many successful British businesses including Zoopla, Net-A-Porter, Secret Escapes, Skyscanner and Innocent Drinks have received practical and financial support from angel investors – it is one of the most important sources of help for new businesses. It’s also exciting, enjoyable and collaborative, offering people the chance to use their financial capacity and business skills to back high-growth potential entrepreneurs. Yet only 14% of angel investors in the UK are women!
UK Business Angels Association and Angel Academe, the award-winning angel network, are working together on a new piece of research to find out more about women’s perceptions of angel investing. This research is part of a new EU project called “Women Angels for Europe’s Entrepreneurs”, enabling us to review the situation in the UK as well as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Belgium.
The results will help us understand how to engage more women in angel investing – to help support the economy, early-stage businesses (especially those started by women), as well as developing their own career and financial opportunities.
The research is based on a short online survey that will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. The survey is being hosted by Cass Business School, a leading UK academic institution that will also analyse the results. All information submitted will be treated entirely confidentially, with all data aggregated and anonymised. Survey participants will be offered early access to the findings and invitations to associated conferences, events and workshops about angel investing.
So, how can you help?
- If you’re an existing female angel investor: Please complete the survey and share it with your friends and network
- If you’re a woman with the financial capacity and/or relevant investment or business experience, but are not an angel investor: Please complete the survey and share it with other women like you
- If you’re a man: Although the survey is exclusively for women, we would appreciate your help! Please share the survey with the women in your networks who you feel may fit the criteria above
- If you’re an advisor or network with High Net Worth women as your clients or members: Please share the survey with them – we’d be very grateful
Thank you!
If you’d like any more information, feel free to get in touch with jenny.redman@ukbaa.org.uk
