.gif)
Innvotec launches Female Ventures Fund to buck the 1% VC trend
by Startacus Admin
New investment fund launched by Innvotec to back female founded UK startups
Good news to start the week with the announcement that Alternative Investment Fund Manager, Innvotec Limited (Innvotec), has launched its Female Ventures Fund (FVF) to invest exclusively in UK female founded or co-founded enterprises. Innvotec also aims to encourage more women to invest in start-ups and early stage businesses.
With less than 1% of VC investment going to all-female founded enterprises, the FVF aims to tackle this funding gap by focussing on carefully selected, early-stage businesses founded and co-founded by women.
Innvotec will provide initial capital, followed by further financial and advisory support to further development after the early stages and beyond.
The FVF was created with the express intention of also encouraging more female investors into the VC space. It is aimed at retail investors as well as high-net worth individuals.
The FVF Advisory Board is led by Lesley Gregory, an experienced corporate lawyer and the Chair of law firm, Memery Crystal. Lesley specialises in flotations and secondary capital raising, as well as advising growth companies on alternative forms of raising finance. She also founded Memery Crystal’s successful female entrepreneurs’ Women In Business network.
Lesley Gregory, Chair of the FVF’s Advisory Board, said:
“For every £1 of venture capital investment in the UK, all-female founder teams get less than 1p, while all-male founder teams get 89p. This statistic is not new and yet it is, nevertheless, staggering to me. What is more obvious is that it must be addressed. In my profession, I come across a wide range of female entrepreneurs who have solid business models and yet don’t receive the funding they need. We want to change that. The FVF model will provide, not only funding, but also, support in critical drivers of VC success – networking, negotiation, business planning and mentoring.”
“As well as investing in female-led businesses, the fund is designed to encourage more women to become investors and back female led businesses.”
The FVF portfolio will be sector agnostic and initially will be comprised of companies selected from Innvotec’s existing portfolio, which contains more than 35 female-founded companies.
The fund is managed by London-based Innvotec, an independent AIFM that already has 25% of its portfolio dedicated to female-led companies, more than double the industry average of 12%.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
SEO should be a vital element of your digital marketing strategy - here's an overview of what it is, why it matters and the potential benefits it can bring
A €40M first fund has just been launched by Lunar Ventures to support the next wave of European DeepTech Software startups
Junk Kouture opens registrations for its 2022 competition and continues its partnership with RTÉ to showcase Ireland's young creatives
Gary Styles, CEO and Founder at sustainability platform Zellar shares his insights on why sustainability matters and what small businesses can do to make a difference.
Business owners and startup founders in NI invited to take part in a survey aiming to review the inclusive nature of entrepreneurship in NI.
 and Steven Hunter (R)_Landscape 3.jpg)
Innovative Debt Capital Markets Intelligence Platform, 9fin secures major funding to support its expansion into the US market
Local musicians and bands in Northern Ireland! Here's a paid opportunity to have your video featured during the Work: In Progress hybrid event.
The lowdown on PixelMax, the Manchester-based startup that's created an innovative virtual workplace solution that enables productivity, creativity and connectivity.
Unsure what you should be looking for when choosing an insurance broker for your business? These tips will help...
Showcase your innovative workplace solution at the Work: In Progress startup pitch competition taking place during the Work: In Progress event on 10th November.
Published on: 29th June 2020
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Deeptech software startup fund launched by Lunar Ventures 15th Oct 2021 A €40M first fund has just been launched by Lunar Ventures to support the next wave of European DeepTech Software startups
- London-founded fintech 9fin Raises £8M Series A 13th Oct 2021 Innovative Debt Capital Markets Intelligence Platform, 9fin secures major funding to support its expansion into the US market
- Future of Work and Workplace Solutions sought for all-island Irish Startup Pitch Comp 8th Oct 2021 Showcase your innovative workplace solution at the Work: In Progress startup pitch competition taking place during the Work: In Progress event on 10th November.
- French startup Cala Announces €5.5M Seed Round 6th Oct 2021 Cala's mission to innovate the catering sector continues as it secures funding boost to support expansion of its fully autonomous restaurant chain
