A Fresh Chapter in Female Founder Support
Women are rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship. They launch businesses that solve real problems. Yet persistent barriers still slow progress. According to the GEM 2024/2025 Women’s Entrepreneurship Report, women are 47% more likely than men to close a business for family or personal reasons. Finance woes follow close behind.
In this article, you’ll get practical insights on mobilising SEIS and EIS schemes. You’ll learn how data-driven research and a commission-free platform can power your journey. We’ll explore real barriers, government-backed tax reliefs and how Oriel IPO streamlines the route to funding. Discover female founder support revolutionising investment opportunities in the UK
The Landscape for Women Entrepreneurs in 2024/2025
Why Businesses Close
GEM’s latest figures shed light on closures:
- Business not profitable: 29.4% of women vs 30.3% of men
- Family or personal reasons: 21.0% of women vs 14.3% of men
- Problems getting finance: 16.2% of women vs 16.1% of men
Women face more tension between caregiving and growing their startups. That gap highlights the need for targeted female founder support.
Investment Gaps and Bias
Despite resilience, women remain underrepresented in investment networks:
- Women are 2.5 times more likely to invest in other women
- Two-thirds of informal investments still go to men
- One in ten women started a new business in 2024 vs one in eight men
In high-growth sectors like ICT, women trail by more than half. And only 11% fewer women see AI benefits compared with men. That means many female entrepreneurs miss out on digital tools that could supercharge growth.
Harnessing SEIS and EIS: A Tax-Efficient Path
The UK government’s SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) and EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) provide hefty tax reliefs. They make early-stage investing more attractive for angels and venture funds. For women founders, that translates into:
- Up to 50% tax relief on SEIS investments
- Up to 30% tax relief on EIS investments
- Capital gains reinvestment relief
- Loss relief if projects underperform
These schemes reduce investor risk, widening the pool of backers ready to champion female-led startups. But navigating the fine print can be tricky. That’s where expert guidance and a curated platform help.
How Oriel IPO Champions Women Founders
Oriel IPO is a UK-based online investment marketplace. It focuses on SEIS/EIS-eligible deals and offers a truly commission-free model. Startups pay transparent subscription fees instead of hefty success commissions. This means you keep more of every pound raised.
Key features for female founder support:
- Curated, vetted opportunities – Only eligible startups make the cut
- Educational tools and resources – Guides, webinars and insights on SEIS/EIS
- Commission-free fundraising – No hidden fees on the capital you secure
The platform’s intuitive dashboard helps you track investor interest. It even breaks down tax reliefs in plain English. Combined, these elements level the playing field for women entrepreneurs.
Empower female founder support with commission-free fundraising
Practical Steps to Secure SEIS/EIS Funding
Getting SEIS/EIS backing needn’t be daunting. Here’s a simple roadmap:
- Check eligibility
– Confirm turnover and asset thresholds
– Ensure your business structure meets scheme rules - Prepare your paperwork
– Draft articles of association
– Gather financial forecasts and cap table - Build a compelling pitch deck
– Highlight product-market fit and growth potential
– Explain your SEIS/EIS tax relief benefits to investors - Leverage educational materials
– Attend Oriel IPO webinars on tax-efficient fundraising
– Download guides on investor communications - Engage the right investors
– Target angels who understand SEIS/EIS
– Showcase your commitment to inclusive, female-led businesses - Follow up and close
– Respond quickly to investor queries
– Use the platform’s due diligence checklist
Tackle each step methodically. You’ll build confidence and attract supportive investors eager to claim tax relief.
Building Networks and Resilience
GEM offers six evidence-based recommendations to boost women’s participation:
- Tailor support to cultural and economic realities
- Offer mentorship and leadership training
- Invest in STEM education and accelerators
- Integrate psychological well-being resources
- Promote digital literacy and AI adoption
- Broaden women-focused investment networks
You can start by joining peer groups and local incubators. Seek mentors who’ve navigated SEIS/EIS before. Plug into digital and AI programmes to give your business an edge. Each connection reinforces a robust ecosystem of female founder support.
Conclusion: Towards a Fairer Funding Ecosystem
The UK’s startup ecosystem is evolving. SEIS and EIS schemes remain powerful levers to close the gender gap. Women entrepreneurs deserve access to clear guidance, curated platforms and solid networks. Oriel IPO delivers on all three fronts, with its commission-free approach and dedicated resources.
The path to funding is rarely straight. But with the right support, female founders can navigate complexities and thrive. Embrace these insights. Leverage tax-efficient schemes. Lean on networks built for your success.
