Growth and Funding Programme
for Female Founders
Elevating Female Founders
Athena Labs, delivered by Lifted and the National Innovation Centre (NICA), is a new initiative designed to promote the significant benefits of backing women-led businesses in these important sectors.
This Growth and Funding Programme for Female Founders will give delegates the opportunity to elevate their business and growth narrative, ready for their next leap forward: highlighting the significant talent coming from the North East.
This three-month accelerator is designed for female founders innovating at the intersection of health, wellbeing, technology and social impact. The programme will help founders to refine their business model, build investor-ready confidence, and connect to a thriving community of funders, advisors, and like-minded entrepreneurs.
From smart care solutions to purpose-driven ‘living well’ products, this programme is for founders ready to scale with purpose and with capital.
With a focus on businesses aligned to the Internet of Caring Things® — products and services designed to improve quality of life, connection, care, and purpose — the programme will give you the tools, networks and visibility you need to scale with impact.
Launch event:
Join us for the official launch of the ‘ Growth and Funding Programme for Female Founders’. Tickets are free but spaces are limited. Reserve your spot now.
Date: Thursday 25 September 2025
Time: 11am – 1pm (30 mins refreshments & networking before and after)
Location: The Catalyst, Newcastle Helix
This event is for;
- Ambitious female founders based in the North East who are building businesses in the health and wellness, HealthTech, FemTech, or MedTech space, or anything related to ageing well, and are interested in accessing finance but unsure of the next steps.
- Connectors, mentors and ecosystem enablers who are passionate about supporting early-stage innovation through signposting, making meaningful introductions and championing regional talent.
KEY NOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT
We’re delighted to welcome Zara Ford, Project Manager (Social Finance Fund) at North East Combined Authority, as the welcome keynote for the Athena Labs ‘Growth and Funding Programme for Female Founders’ launch event.
Zara is a passionate advocate for inclusive growth, driving projects that support underrepresented entrepreneurs and mission-led organisations across the North East.
From championing innovative funding initiatives like the Social Finance Fund to working directly with communities, she brings deep expertise and a genuine commitment to empowering others.
“I’m thrilled to be kicking off the Athena Labs ‘Growth and Funding Programme for Female Founders’ launch event on Thursday 25 September, with the welcome keynote.
This accelerator programme is all about giving female founders in the North East the funding, tools, and connections to grow their ideas into amazing businesses, and I can’t wait to be part of it.”
PANEL ANNOUNCEMENT
Alongside Zara, we’re thrilled that four successful female founders can join us for our Female Founders Panel –
‘Bold Moves: Women Who Lead’
Four inspiring Northern female founders will share their journeys, insights and lessons learned.
Suzanne Vernazza – Know Your Floors
Amy Mooney – MuthaCuva
Joanne Lant – Lant Medical
Elaine Galston – Betti Pod
This discussion promises to be an inspirational conversation about courage, resilience, and the bold decisions required to grow and lead a business.
Attendees will gain not only practical insights but also the motivation to take their own ventures further by applying to join the programme.
If you’re a North East female founder making a meaningful impact, this is an event not to be missed!
Programme Highlights
- A dedicated 3-month programme for up to 10 female-founded businesses
- 1:1 coaching and group-based workshops with access to finance embedded
- Introductions to angels, VCs, NEDs, and specialist advisors
- Access to Lifted Ventures’ investor network
- Peer-led pod groups and community events
- Support from professionals with real-world investment and startup leadership experience
Why apply to Athena Labs?
- Get investor-ready: Build your pitch, refine your business plan, and prepare for due diligence
- Raise your profile: Showcase your innovation to aligned investors.
- Expand your network: Meet fellow founders, funders, and ecosystem stakeholders
- Access long-term support: Join the Lifted Ventures community for continued introductions, mentoring, and opportunities
- Be seen: Help position the North East as a thriving hub for diverse innovation and female entrepreneurship
Key Dates
Applications Open | July 2025 |
Launch Event (Newcastle) | 25th September 2025 (2 hrs) plus networking |
Applications Close | 9th October 2025 |
Programme Commences | |
Workshop 1 – Evolving a Business Plan | 20th October 2025 (In person, 3 hrs) |
Workshop 2 – Accessing Funding Options | 4th November 2025 (Virtual, 1 hr) |
Workshop 3 – Financials, Legal & IP | 12th November 2025 |
Workshop 4 – Pitch Deck & Elevator Pitch | 19th November 2025 (In person, 2.5 hrs) |
Coaching – Investor Due Diligence Prep | 28th October – 4th November, TBC (Virtual, 1 hr each) |
Who Should Apply?
We’re looking for 10 female founders based in or with ties to the North East, building early-stage ventures in areas aligned to:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Smart Homes, IoT & Wearables
- Sustainable living
- Caring for pets, people, and communities
- Digital solutions for social connection or education
- Cognitive or emotional health innovation
How to Apply
Click the Apply Now button below.
- Fill out the application form with your business details.
- Submit your application before the deadline (9th October 2025).
Spaces are limited to 10 participants – don’t miss out!
Questions?
Contact us at [email protected]. We’re here to help!
The Athena Labs Growth and Funding Programme for Female Founders is delivered in partnership with the National Innovation Centre for Ageing, supported by the British Business Bank, IOCT and Newcastle University.
Frequently asked questions
I need some help completing the application, is additional support available?
Yes, please get in touch via our email address [email protected]. We are always happy to support you.
I'm not sure if I'm going to raise investment soon, should I still apply?
This is a growth support programme, so even if you’re not currently seeking funding, many of the foundational steps that attract investors will still benefit your business at this stage. Learning to articulate your growth narrative will not only help you win more customers, but also engage stakeholders and position your business as a beacon for growth.
Is there support for travel costs in the programme?
While there is no dedicated budget for travel costs in this programme, we’d like to hear from you if this is a significant barrier to your application. In some cases, we may be able to offer additional support, although we cannot guarantee this. Please get in touch via [email protected] if you have any further questions about this.
What type of businesses should apply to this programme?
Athena Labs NICA is open to female founders based in or connected to the North East, working in sectors such as Net zero, Smarter homes, Edtech, health and life sciences, ageing-well, or innovations that fit the Internet of Caring Things® ethos – solutions enhancing connection, care, purpose, and quality of life.
What is the eligibility criteria for this programme?
- Your business must be registered in the UK.
- Your business must be based in, or connected to the North East.
- The application needs to be from a woman founder or co-founder, or anyone identifying as a woman. You need to be a founder, co-founder or CEO of the business.
- Your business can be from any sector as this programme is sector agnostic – with a focus on digital, health tech, creative industries and clean tech.
- Business from ideation stage to business registered no more than 7 years prior.
- Business not in a prohibited sector (illegal drugs, etc).
- Business not currently insolvent or likely to be in the next six months.
- You need to be able to attend all workshops which are a combination of in person and virtual
I have accessibility requirements, will there be support for me on the programme?
Yes, we can support you. Please include all your requirements in your application.
Do I need to attend all the workshop sessions?
To get the most from the programme, we ask that you attend all sessions. The programme includes a mix of in-person and virtual workshops. If you foresee any difficulty attending the in-person sessions, please mention this in your application so we can discuss possible options.
Who will be delivering the programme? Who should I expect to be learning from?
Athena Labs NICA is delivered by the co-founders of Lifted Ventures – Jordan Dargue and Helen Oldham. Both Jordan and Helen are angel investors in their own right, and are experts in investment, investment readiness and programme delivery. You’ll also benefit from contributions by delivery partners with real-world startup and investment experience.
Is the programme free? And how is this funded?
Athena Labs NICA is a government backed programme, made possible through funding from UKSPF. Participants will not need to pay to participate, however this programme may require you to declare your participation in this programme as part of State Aid. To find out more please contact Sara Parker – [email protected]
What is the selection timeline?
Launch Event: Thursday, 25 September 2025
Applications Close: Midnight on 9 October 2025
Interviews: We aim to have short conversations with all applicants before applications close
Programme Begins: Workshops start from 20 October 2025
You’ll be notified whether you’ve been selected the week before the programme starts.
Is there mentoring or coaching involved?
Yes. Each founder will receive an hour of bespoke 1:1 coaching from either Jordan or Helen at Lifted Ventures. The coaching session will focus on any additional learning support, your final business plan, your growth narrative/ pitch deck, or any additional areas where you need further clarification. . Mentoring and coaching is provided alongside the group workshops.
What happens if I'm not selected?
If you’re not selected on this occasion, we’d still love to stay engaged. We’ll keep you in mind for future Lifted Ventures programmes and share alternative support options and ecosystem connections to keep your momentum going.