UKEF Female Founder
Export Accelerator
Women Beyond Borders - Take Your Business Global
Are you a female founder running a revenue-generating business and ready to take the next step into international markets?
UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Lifted Ventures have created a first-of-its-kind collaboration to support women-led and women-owned businesses, from diverse backgrounds, who want to expand globally, scale faster and access the finance and tools needed to succeed beyond the UK.
The UKEF Female Founder Export Accelerator in Partnership with Lifted Ventures launches in January 2026 and is designed to equip female founders with the insight, support, and funding pathways they need to scale internationally with confidence.
The accelerator programme is a four-month programme, comprising both in person and virtual accelerated learning workshops along with mentoring and coaching.
Are you a female founder running a revenue-generating business and ready to take the next step into international markets?
UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Lifted Ventures have created a first-of-its-kind collaboration to support women-led and women-owned businesses, from diverse backgrounds, who want to expand globally, scale faster and access the finance and tools needed to succeed beyond the UK.
The UKEF Female Founder Export Accelerator in Partnership with Lifted Ventures launches in January 2026 and is designed to equip female founders with the insight, support, and funding pathways they need to scale internationally with confidence.
The accelerator programme is a four-month programme, comprising both in person and virtual accelerated learning workshops along with mentoring and coaching.
Birmingham launch event
Tuesday 11 November, 12noon – 2pm
Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, Spanish Steps, Aston Webb Boulevard, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6SJ
Hosted by UKEF & Lifted Ventures (includes networking lunch)
Panel discussion: ‘Global Export – Women Beyond Borders’:
- Panel chair – Jordan Dargue – Lifted Ventures
- Panellist – Tara Attfield-Tomes – East Village PR
- Panellist – Kameese Davis – Nylah
- Panellist – Huw Sparkes – Future Planet Global
- Panellist – Marie Hall – UK Export Finance
- Panellist – Roxanne Goodman – Female Founder Finance
A fireside chat on going global…
with Melissa Snover – Nourished
What You’ll Gain
- Export-readiness insights from experts and female founders from diverse backgrounds, who’ve already gone global.
- A clear understanding of finance and insurance support from UKEF to help you scale internationally.
- First look at the UKEF Female Founder Export Accelerator, including how to apply.
Programme dates
Programme beings 7 January 2026 and ends 28 April 2026
- 7 January 2026, 11am (3.5 hours) – Foundations of Export and Growth – in person – Leeds
- 21 January 2026, 11am (1.5 hours) – Growth Finance – Zoom
- 28 January 2026, 11am (2 hours) – Site visit – in person – location tbc
- 3 Feburary 2026, 11am (2 hours) – Global Foundations – legal & financial – Zoom
- 25 February 2026, 11am (2 hours) – Building Growth Narratives – in person – Birmingham
- 25 February 2026, 1.30pm (2 hours) – Accessing Export Finance and Support – in person – Birmingham
- 7-12 March 2026 (1 hour) – One to One coaching – date and time tbc – Zoom
- 25 March 2026 – 11am (2 hours) – Building your Global Growth Narrative – Zoom
- 28 April 2026 – 11am (4 hours) – Demo Day – Global Growth Showcase – in person – Leeds
Frequently asked questions
When will applications for the accelerator open?
Applications are now open. Click here to apply. Closing date Friday 5th December (midnight)
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.
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.
Is the programme free? And how is this funded?
.The accelerator is funded by UK Export Finance and delivered by Lifted Ventures. 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]
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.
