The highly anticipated Athena VC Festival is set to take place on 13 May 2025 at Nexus, University of Leeds. Uniting women venture capitalists, aspiring investors, and industry allies, this landmark event is designed to promote equity, innovation, and collaboration in venture capital.
Organised by Lifted Ventures, this groundbreaking conference builds upon their mission to increase the flow of capital to female founders and amplify the influence of women investors. The festival will address critical challenges facing women in venture capital and provide actionable strategies for driving systemic change in the industry.
Women-led start-ups are 500% more likely to be a billion dollar company compared to businesses that are male-led according to research from Rogue Women’s Fund. However, 90% of all VC’s are men and 86% of all start-ups funded by VC’s have only men on their team.
The festival will focus on several key themes designed to inspire and empower participants. Central to the event is the celebration and elevation of women in venture capital, coupled with a commitment to supporting their career growth. Additionally, the festival aims to explore innovative ways to bring together angel capital and early-stage VC funds, expanding the investment pool available to regional female founders. The festival will bring together a vibrant community of changemakers, bridging connections across both regional and national venture capital ecosystems.
“Although female investors are more likely to invest in female founders, only 18% of decision-makers in venture capital are women. Women continue to face systemic barriers in venture capital, from limited access to influential networks to biases in decision-making,” said Jordan Dargue, Co-Founder of Lifted Ventures and the Athena VC Festival.
“Athena VC is set to be the largest Women in VC event outside of London and the South East. In this inspiring event we provide practical tips on how to succeed as a woman in the investment sector, hear from women who’ve already pathed the way to creating successful careers and discuss the impact that women leaders are having in the investment sector.’’
Event Highlights:
- Keynote Presentations and Panels: Insights from leading women VCs, advocates, and thought leaders on advancing gender equity in venture capital.
- Collaborative Opportunities: Forge new partnerships for syndications, collaborative deals, and mentorship initiatives.
- Workshops and Advocacy: Expert-led sessions on navigating career challenges and promoting actionable industry reforms, from hiring practices to board representation.
- Live Pitch Sessions: Female-led startups will present their innovative ideas to a panel of influential investors. The live pitches will be the culmination of an investment readiness programme Athena VC Elevate which has been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
“The festival embodies the attributes of the Goddess Athena – wisdom, bravery, and resourcefulness,” said Helen Oldham, Co-Founder of Lifted Ventures. “Our goal is to celebrate and elevate women in VC, build a community of change-makers, showcase success stories and opportunities, and drive inward investment to the North and beyond. Together, we can reshape the landscape for the better.”
Why Attend?
For women working in venture capital, the Athena VC Festival is more than a conference – it’s a movement to close the funding gap, create equitable opportunities, and celebrate the power of diversity in investment. Investors will gain exclusive access to innovative female-led ventures, enjoy high-return opportunities, and contribute to positive social change.
Event Details:
Date: 13 May 2025
Location: Nexus, University of Leeds
The Athena VC Festival is organized by Lifted Ventures, a pioneering initiative dedicated to dismantling barriers for women in investment and entrepreneurship. Their work includes angel investment networks, education, and advocacy, creating a thriving ecosystem for female investors and founders.