A Northern-based investment duo officially launched their new gender-focused angel network earlier in the year in Leeds. The pair now take to the North East in Newcastle to declare the North of England as the premier destination for female-founded businesses in pursuit of funding, with the British Business Bank supporting the event.
Newcastle, UK. May 6, 2024 – With every pound invested in a male business, only a penny finds its way into a female-owned venture. Lifted Ventures, a recently established entity, is dedicated to catalysing transformation within the female founder landscape in the North of England. Lifted Ventures serves as the capital of the North UK for female entrepreneurs seeking investment opportunities and are breaking barriers when it comes to supporting them. By backing female founders, investors contribute to building more diverse and inclusive companies, which can lead to improved decision-making and performance. Investing in female founders is not just about financial returns; it’s also about driving positive social change. Lifted Ventures supports female founders in achieving their full potential and contributing to greater gender equality in entrepreneurship.
Lifted Ventures is dedicated to strengthening the Newcastle and wider North East ecosystem. We recognise the immense potential within the North East to cultivate a thriving community of female founders and to showcase the region’s innovation and talent on a national and international scale. By nurturing and empowering female entrepreneurs in the Northeast, we aim to drive economic growth, create job opportunities, and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship that will benefit the entire region. Through our efforts, we envision a future where the North East emerges as a hub of female-led innovation and a beacon of success in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Start-up funding is quoted as the biggest barrier by female founders with less than 2% of all venture funding being investment into businesses founded by all-female teams, according to The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship report in 2023.
To allow accessible funding for female-led startups across the North, Lifted Ventures is creating a diverse investment community that wants to empower female founders through capital, expertise and mentorship. We believe that investment should be accessible to all, irrespective of their background, ethnicity, gender, or neuro or physical diversity. Our tailored support is developed by a team of experts who have worked with many diverse backgrounds. In addition to establishing networks of angel investors and co-investors, Lifted Ventures offers comprehensive support to aspiring female entrepreneurs. This includes guiding them through investment opportunities, elucidating various funding avenues, and ultimately assisting them in becoming investment-ready.
Lifted Ventures was co-founded by Jordan Dargue and Helen Oldham, who were previously known as the joint leaders of the award-winning NorthInvest angel network, and co-founders of Fund Her North, and Women Angels of the North.
Jordan and Helen’s remarkable past endeavours showcase their unparalleled expertise in constructing inclusive early-stage investment ecosystems, angel networks, and communities. Collectively, they have facilitated funding exceeding £450 million, supported over 1000 entrepreneurs, and emerged as the most engaged Innovate UK investor partner outside of London. Now they aim to lengthen their wealth of experience to turn discussions into tangible support for Northern women in business, beginning with a transformative shift in dialogue.
“Whilst Lifted Ventures focuses on the opportunities of investing in women entrepreneurs, we want to educate and develop an all-rounder angel investor community and be able to take that above and beyond for founders in the North of England” said Helen Oldham, co-founder of Lifted Ventures, Angel Investor and Board member of the UK Business Angels Association and a member of the Women Angel Investment task force.
Jordan Dargue, co-founder of Lifted Ventures, Angel Investor and Non-Executive Director stated “We offer a range of benefits to our network in the North. The biggest is that we connect startups with angel investors and co-investors, facilitating access to much-needed capital for growth and expansion. By supporting female founders, investors gain access to an often overlooked pool of talent and untapped potential, increasing opportunities for lucrative investment returns. We provide access to a diverse range of angel investors, offering startups the opportunity to secure funding. We strive to ensure that inclusivity is a cornerstone of our community and that angel investing is accessible for everyone”.
Lifted Ventures officially launched the business in Leeds, in February 2024, which was kindly supported by The British Business Bank. “No More Talking” is aimed at anyone within the investment community interested in learning more about the business benefits of backing women and making a lasting change to the female founder space. In Newcastle, joining Jordan
and Helen will be numerous special guest speakers, providing their perspectives on the opportunity to back intersectional female founders; how to understand their needs and provide relevant investment pathways.
To attend the Newcastle #NoMoreTalking event, register your interest and reserve your free ticket now.