Birmingham takes a bold step forward with “The Fortuna Fellowship”, an accelerator programme offering up to £2 million to female-led startups.
This initiative is set to reshape the entrepreneurial landscape, focusing on growth and equity for women entrepreneurs.
Birmingham’s latest venture, “The Fortuna Fellowship,” is an empowering initiative launched to foster female-led startups. With a commitment of up to £2 million in investments, this programme is designed to ignite growth among women entrepreneurs.
In collaboration with The 51% Club, the Fellowship aims to support five startups led by women, reinforcing the growth and innovation potential within this community. Such efforts are significant in helping bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship.
The 12-month programme is a comprehensive journey for the selected startups. Delivered in partnership with key stakeholders, it provides substantial support and resources.
Participants will benefit from high-level mentorship, workshops and masterclasses guided by industry experts to enhance their business acumen.
Each startup will engage with a central advisory board comprised of industry leaders. This ensures a robust framework for product development, market strategies, and investment readiness.
Successful candidates will partake in weekly ‘office hours’, offering tailored support from the investment team.
Monthly co-working sessions and an immersive innovation residency are part of the offering, facilitating dynamic growth.
Concluding the programme, startups may secure a share of up to £2 million in equity investment, contingent upon co-investment and due diligence processes. Such opportunities are invaluable for scaling their business visions.
Despite advancements, the venture capital (VC) landscape remains challenging for female founders. In 2024, women-led businesses garnered less than 3% of global VC funding. This initiative directly challenges these statistics, offering a crucial boost to female entrepreneurs.
Rupert Lyle, Fund Principal at Midven, asserts that the Fortuna Fellowship is pivotal for creating opportunities in a historically underserved market.
The partnership with The 51% Club aligns with broader efforts to support gender diversity in entrepreneurship. This collaboration fosters community building among female founders, creating networks of support and shared experiences.
Tara Attfield-Tomes from The Lifted Project champions this initiative as a path to broader capital access for women.
The Fortuna Fellowship not only addresses immediate funding needs but also sets a precedent for future investments in female-led businesses.
The initiative’s emphasis on scalable and innovative business models is expected to attract attention from potential investors, thereby facilitating a cycle of continued support.
Midven and its partners are actively engaging prospective investors to join this transformative journey. The aim is to expand the Fellowship’s reach and impact, encouraging more female entrepreneurs to innovate and succeed.
Birmingham’s Fortuna Fellowship promises transformative change for female entrepreneurs.
This initiative marks a significant advancement in bridging the gender gap in venture capital investing.
