Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
Gender imbalance among angel investors limits growth of female-led businesses.
Conclusion
Angel investment is a vital lifeline for early-stage female-led businesses, particularly in sectors where institutional funding remains elusive. While recent growth in angel investment for women-led ventures is encouraging, the gender imbalance among angel investors continues to limit progress. Increasing the proportion of women in angel networks directly correlates with higher investment in female-founded and mixed-gender teams. Training programmes and peer-led initiatives are helping to build confidence and capability among aspiring female investors, but more needs to be done to scale these efforts. (Conclusion, Paragraph 66)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the role of institutional investors and is addressing investment gaps through initiatives like the Mansion House Accord and the British Growth Partnership. It highlights the Invest in Women Taskforce and the Women Backing Women Fund of Funds, which are channeling institutional capital from various partners into female-led venture funds and businesses.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We recognise the vital role that institutional investors play in the funding landscape and in increasing access to finance for female-led businesses. 16 Tax Support for Entrepreneurs: Call for Evidence - GOV.UK The Government is addressing the lack of UK pension fund investment in innovative UK businesses through the Mansion House Accord and the British Growth Partnership (BGP). Government is engaging with key stakeholders across these initiatives to create better coordination with the Invest in Women Taskforce. Two of the Mansion House Accord signatories, Aviva and M&G, have already committed to the Invest in Women Taskforce funding pot. We are working to bring additional Mansion House signatories on board and will continue to do so in 2026. The Invest in Women Taskforce is channelling large-scale institutional capital into female-led venture funds and female powered and mixed businesses. By empowering both sides of the investment table, the Taskforce is not only unlocking more capital but also redesigning where the capital goes and who controls it. The Women Backing Women Fund of Funds will bridge the gap between institutional investors and diverse fund managers best placed to back female and mixed businesses. Commitments from institutional investors include Barclays, BGF, Nationwide, and the British Business Bank.