The entrepreneurial landscape in Scotland is experiencing a transformative shift with the introduction of *W2W*, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering women to engage in angel investing.
Led by Scotland’s pioneering all-female business angel syndicate, Investing Women Angels (IWA), alongside its sister organization AccelerateHER, W2W serves as Scotland’s first platform dedicated to closing the funding gap between male and female-led companies. This initiative demystifies angel investment while fostering a supportive community to uplift female entrepreneurs.
Closing the Gender Investment Gap in Scotland
Despite the remarkable growth of female entrepreneurship, women-led start-ups in Scotland struggle to secure investment. According to the 2023 Pathways Report, authored by Ana Stewart and Scotland’s former Chief Entrepreneur Mark Logan, women-led businesses receive a mere 2% of total investment capital in Scotland, despite constituting one in five new businesses. W2W directly addresses this urgent gap, advocating for a more inclusive investment landscape.
By cultivating a network of female investors, W2W aims to tackle the equity gap head-on. This initiative plans to create an “echo effect,” which will simultaneously increase the number of women investors and enhance funding for female-led start-ups.
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Uniting Women on an “Investment Journey”
W2W is Scotland’s inaugural program that unites experienced female investors, entrepreneurs, and emerging female-led companies for a collaborative investment experience. Launching in December 2024, this initiative will feature seasoned investors from IWA and other angel syndicates guiding participants through a series of interactive sessions.
Among the prominent investors participating in this program is *Gwen Edwards*, co-founder of the Silicon Valley Chapter of Golden Seeds and chair of the Angel Resource Institute. Edwards is a respected figure in angel investment, having played a crucial role in securing funding for women-founded companies globally. Her involvement, combined with the support from Scottish start-ups like *Carcinotech* and *Cytochroma*, underscores W2W’s ambition to establish an international and high-impact framework in Scotland.
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What Participants Can Expect from the W2W Program
The month-long W2W program, commencing on December 12, 2024, promises to cover critical aspects of the investment process. Participants will delve into the fundamentals of angel investing, including practical guidance on due diligence, pitching strategies, investor relations, and global investment tactics. Legal support from *Burness Paull*, the W2W legal partner, will empower participants to navigate the complexities of the investment environment.
By adopting this hands-on approach, W2W seeks to empower a new generation of women investors, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for success. Emerging entrepreneurs from top Scottish universities, including spin-outs from Strathclyde University and the University of Edinburgh, will benefit from the expertise and experience shared by established investors.
The Echo Effect: Amplifying Female Investment
The “echo effect” serves as a cornerstone of W2W’s vision. Inspired by the successful *Springboard Programme* in Washington, D.C., this initiative aims to replicate its achievements in Scotland. The Springboard Programme catalyzed a 40% increase in women angel investors in the U.S., resulting in substantial funding for female-led start-ups. With only 15% of Scotland’s current angel investors being women, W2W strives to shift these numbers by leveraging this proven model to foster a robust network of empowered female business leaders.
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Key Supporters Enthusiastically Back W2W
Jackie Waring, founder of IWA, expressed her enthusiasm for the W2W program, highlighting its potential to amplify female entrepreneurship in Scotland. “We’re thrilled to roll out W2W across Scotland, focusing on promoting entrepreneurship among women and helping female founders scale their businesses globally,” Waring stated.
Gwen Edwards, W2W’s international partner and representative from Golden Seeds, shared her excitement: “I’m energized about the W2W program and grateful to be part of this initiative. Increasing the number of women angel investors has proven effective in the U.S., driving significant benefits for female-founded companies. We can replicate this success in Scotland’s rich entrepreneurial ecosystem, filled with inspiring and innovative female-led businesses.”
Peter Lawson, Chair of Burness Paull, also praised the initiative, emphasizing its alignment with his firm’s mission to support female founders. “Increasing the representation of women angels in the marketplace has the potential to significantly drive female entrepreneurship through a long-term, strategic approach,” said Lawson.
A Vision for Sustainable Change
As W2W launches, its goal extends beyond simply increasing the number of female angel investors; the initiative seeks to foster a sustainable, supportive ecosystem where female-founded businesses can flourish. By empowering more women to become investors and creating accessible pathways for startups, W2W is poised to leave a lasting impact on Scotland’s entrepreneurial framework.
Through its community-driven approach, W2W will continue to provide follow-up support to participants beyond January 2025, ensuring the knowledge and connections gained from the program yield long-term benefits.
Ultimately, W2W represents more than just an investment initiative; it embodies a movement to bridge the gender investment gap and pave the way for a future where female founders have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the world.
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