Lifted Ventures is ecognised for empowering women founders and building regional investment ecosystems outside London, Lifted Ventures continues to drive inclusive growth across the UK.
The regionally focused organisation has been announced as the winner of the ‘Investing in Women: Initiative of the Year’ at the Growth Investor Awards 2025.
The Growth Investor Awards, organised by Intelligent Partnership, celebrate the UK’s SME investment community and its contribution to job creation and innovation. This year’s ceremony took place at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Thursday 6 November 2025, bringing together leading investors, advisers, and organisations shaping the future of the UK’s growth economy.
Lifted Ventures was selected from a strong field of finalists in the category, alongside Angel Academe, Conduit Connect, NoBa Capital, and Revenge Capital, recognising organisations making a significant impact in supporting women founders and promoting inclusive investment practices.
The award was presented by TV presenter Alex Jones and Natalie Gasson-McKinley MBE MBA, Senior Manager, Policy and Strategy at the British Business Bank, who congratulated Lifted Ventures for its outstanding contribution to advancing investment in women and regional innovation across the UK.
Through a range of angel education programmes, female founder investment-readiness training, and community initiatives, Lifted Ventures equips founders and investors outside London with the knowledge, networks, and support they need to succeed, helping to make early-stage investing more accessible and impactful across the UK.
“We’re incredibly proud to receive this recognition,” said Jordan Dargue, Co-founder of Lifted Ventures. “Our mission has always been to ensure that great ideas and ambitious founders, wherever they are based, have access to the capital, knowledge and networks they need to thrive. There’s exceptional innovation happening in regions outside of London and we’re determined to keep championing it.”
“This award is not just for us, it’s for the growing community of women founders and regional investors who are changing the face of UK venture capital.” added Helen Oldham, Co-founder of Lifted Ventures. “By empowering women on both sides of the investment table, we’re helping to build a more balanced, resilient and representative economy.”
The judging process for the Awards is both rigorous and independent. Guided by an Advisory Board, Intelligent Partnership’s Research Team conducts an initial shortlisting of all entries to identify finalists.
Finalist submissions in each category then go to a second round of judging by at least three members of an independent judging panel, ensuring a diverse mix of qualified perspectives and enhancing the credibility and prestige of the awards.
The recognition marks an important milestone in Lifted Ventures’ mission to strengthen regional investment ecosystems and empower more women to participate fully in the UK’s growth economy.
~ENDS~
Caption: Left to right – Natalie Gasson-McKinley (British Business Bank), Jordan Dargue (Co-Founder of Lifted Ventures) and Alex Jones (TV presenter)