£32 million invested, yet female founders still receive just 2% of uk equity funding.
Lifted Ventures launches a national co-investment campaign calling for public-sector investment to unlock regional private capital and tackle the UK’s female founder funding deficit.
“We are at risk of mistaking activity for progress.“
The UK’s investment system is failing regional female founders, and urgent public-sector intervention is needed to unlock their economic potential.
That is the message from Lifted Ventures Co-Founders Jordan Dargue and Helen Oldham, following the launch of their Female Founder Co-Investment Campaign at the Athena Festival 2026 in Leeds.
Despite years of initiatives and commitments to improve access to finance, all-female founding teams still receive just 2% of UK equity investment in 2025, according to the British Business Bank.
Since incorporation in September 2023, Lifted Ventures has demonstrated what targeted support can achieve:
42 investment rounds supported, helping facilitate more than £32 million into female-founded businesses.
112 women angel investors activated through its investment network.
391 women in its growing investment community.
432+ female founders supported to grow and access investment.
2,500+ connections made through investment events.
Yet despite this progress, the national funding gap remains stubbornly unchanged. This was the message delivered to the 153 attendees of the 3rd Athena Festival, held in Leeds at Nexus on October 7th 2026.
“We have helped unlock £32 million, supported hundreds of female founders and brought more women into angel investing. Yet female founders still receive just 2% of UK equity investment. That is a market failure.
“We are at risk of mistaking activity for progress. We don’t have a shortage of ambitious founders or investors willing to back them. We have a funding system that isn’t delivering.
“At Athena, we set out a simple proposition: for every £1 of public money invested, unlock £1 of private capital. That means £5 million of public investment could become £10 million backing female-founded businesses.
“We are calling on government, public-sector funding bodies and investment institutions to work alongside angel investors and syndicates to establish dedicated regional co-investment funds to accelerate progress in closing the funding gap.
“This is not a diversity agenda. This is an economic growth agenda. Every investable business that cannot access capital is a missed opportunity to create jobs, drive innovation and generate economic growth.”
Jordan Dargue, Co-Founder of Lifted Ventures
Public investment must become a catalyst for growth
Lifted Ventures believes a £1-for-£1 co-investment model could significantly increase capital available to female-founded businesses while encouraging more private investors to participate.
Dedicated regional funds would create clearer routes from investment-ready founders to capital, enable greater angel syndication and help more women become active investors.
They are calling for support to bring together meaningful conversations with all the regional and national stakeholders who can take a lead in creating access to new forms of capital dedicated to female founders.
“We have spent three years proving that the founders, investors and opportunities exist. But individual successes cannot fix structural failure.
“We have helped bring more women into angel investing, built a growing investment community and supported hundreds of ambitious businesses. Now we need to unlock the capital that will allow them to scale.
“Public-sector investment has the potential to mobilise private capital, share risk and deliver lasting economic value across the UK.
“We don’t need more conversation, or data about the funding gap. We need the investment mechanisms to close it.”
Helen Oldham, Co-Founder of Lifted Ventures
Back the campaign. Help us make the case for change.
Lifted Ventures is now inviting founders, investors, businesses and investment ecosystem partners to support its Female Founder Co-Investment Campaign.
The organisation has launched a national support poll to demonstrate demand for dedicated regional co-investment funds and build a collective voice to engage government, public funders and investment institutions.
The ask is simple: unlock public capital, match private investment £1 for £1, and create dedicated funding pathways for female-founded businesses across the UK.
Jordan Dargue and Helen Oldham concluded:
“We have demonstrated what can be achieved. Now we need the public sector to help scale it.
“Add your voice. Back the campaign. Help us turn £1 of public investment into £2 backing female founders.
“The time for talking is over. It’s time to invest.“
Join the campaign by completing this form, your signature shows your support.
