Female Founders – New Accelerator Programme Helping Female Entrepreneurs To Grow & Scale Their Businesses

Newly launched Female Founders accelerator programme aims to help London-based female entrepreneurs boost the UK economy.

The four months programme announced its first cohorts of 60 female business owners earlier this month, at a private event hosted by J.P. Morgan.

Jointly created by Hatch Enterprise and Enterprise Enfield, the Female Founders initiative was developed as a response to recent findings revealing female entrepreneurs as ‘untapped potential that could significantly boost UK’s economic growth’.

Recent study by Womens Business Council – Women In Enterprise – found that female entrepreneurs faced issues such as ‘lack of confidence in skill set, lack of access to finance and absence of female entrepreneurial role models‘ during their business’s initial growth.

The same research also suggested that Britain’s GDP could grow by 10% by 2030 if these issues were addressed better.

Mrs Hang Ho, Head of EMEA Global Philanthropy for J.P Morgan said:”UK small businesses face many challenges in their journey to becoming sustainable and profitable as they struggle to access the talent, finance and support to thrive.

“These difficulties are exacerbated by the current economic context particularly in low income areas, where women-lead small businesses face the toughest challenges. We want to help provide this much needed support as when small businesses succeed, our communities and neighbourhoods succeed too.”

Dirk Bischof, CEO, Hatch Enterprise said: “We continue to support women in turning their passions into sustainable businesses. With a unique approach to enterprise incubation since 2013, we’re excited to be super-charging London’s female founders & helping them grow their organisations.”

Despina Johnson, Chief Executive, Enterprise Enfield also added: “With more than 8 years’ experience delivering accelerator programmes for female entrepreneurs as they start, establish & grow successful businesses in North and East London, we can’t wait to support & inspire women on the Female Founders Programme.”