NWEW 2025 Report
Our 2025 research report examines the state of investment into female-led businesses and uncovers the imbalance between funding for entrepreneurs on the basis of their gender. Ventures created by women are a lot less likely to receive funding and the amount they receive is considerably lower than those created by men.
We examine the reasons for this inequality and why there may be signs of hope for its correction.
Key Findings
- Female-led businesses were 31% less likely to be successful in funding applications than those led by men
- The average level of funding for female entrepreneurs is 30% lower than that for businesses founded by men
- Investment institutions are 7X more likely to have a majority of male-led companies in their portfolio than female-led companies
- Only 29% of women apply for funding, compared with 43% of men
“Female investors can make a big difference partly by channelling money into promising female-led businesses and, just as importantly,
by helping to mentor those women — something we know they value highly.
One thing is for sure, Britain can only fulfil its true economic potential when women are empowered to fulfil theirs.”