North East Female Founder Demo Day

North East’s only female founder investment accelerator celebrates second cohort in Newcastle this june

The second cohort of the ATHENA LABS Growth and Funding Programme will take to the stage in Newcastle on 10 June 2026, bringing together investors, ecosystem partners and entrepreneurs to witness the next wave of high-growth, women-led ventures emerging from the North East.

As the only dedicated female founder accelerator in the region centred around investment readiness, ATHENA LABS is redefining access to capital for women building innovative businesses across health, wellbeing, technology and social impact.

This milestone event marks the culmination of an intensive 12-week journey, where founders from the second cohort will present their ventures to a room of active investors showcasing not just businesses, but bold visions for a more connected, inclusive and impactful future.

Delivered in partnership with the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing’s Internet of Caring Things® (IoCT™) and Lifted Ventures, the programme equips founders with the tools, networks and confidence needed to secure investment and scale. Over three months, participants refine their business models, strengthen their investment propositions and embed themselves in a powerful community of funders, advisors and peers.

Jennine Jonczyk, Internet of Caring Things® Programme Lead, said:

“This moment is about more than pitching; it’s about visibility, belief and unlocking opportunity. These founders are stepping forward not just with businesses, but with solutions that have the potential to transform how we live, care and connect.’’

Jordan Dargue, co-founder of Lifted Ventures, added:

‘’This second cohort represents a powerful shift: women in the North East are not only building ambitious, high‑growth businesses, but doing so with investment in mind from day one.  We know the playing field isn’t equal: female founders continue to face systemic barriers to funding, networks and visibility, not because of lack of quality, but because of how the system is structured. Gender‑specific accelerators like this programme matter because they create space for women to build confidence, connect with investors and develop the readiness that too often gets overlooked. The quality, ambition and momentum in this cohort is extraordinary and this is just the beginning.”

Helen Oldham, co-founder of Lifted Ventures, commented:

“This isn’t just an event, it’s part of changing the whole ecosystem. What we’re seeing with this second cohort is the impact of targeted support: when women have access to tailored networks, relevant expertise and mentors who understand the specific barriers they face, they gain not only confidence but real, measurable opportunity. Research shows that accelerator programmes can literally expand networks, build entrepreneurial skills and boost confidence in ways that matter for long‑term success.’’

The event will also feature an inspirational keynote address from Marie Whitehouse, Chief Operating Officer of NunaBio, a rapidly scaling synthetic biology company making waves in the biotech sector. Marie has played a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and strategic growth at NunaBio, a Newcastle‑based life sciences venture that has successfully secured significant seed funding and industry recognition for its groundbreaking DNA synthesis technology.

Attendees will experience a live investor pitch event, connect with key players across the regional and national investment ecosystem, and engage with a diverse audience that includes investors, female founders seeking inspiration and insights, and regional stakeholders and business leaders all gaining first‑hand insight into how ATHENA LABS is unlocking the potential of female founders across the North East.

The Female Founder Showcase will take place at The Catalyst, Newcastle Helix on 10 June from 10:30am. Tickets are limited and early registration is encouraged.

Lifted Ventures is proudly supported in part by the British Business Bank as part of a programme to support and accelerate the development of female-led angel syndicates across the UK.