Calling Female Entrepreneurs in the West Midlands to Apply for Accelerator

Established by Birmingham-based venture capital firm Midven, in collaboration with The 51% Club, the initiative aims to support the next generation of high-growth female-led startups.

The program has secured £1 million from the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund, managed by Midven, part of Future Planet Capital, demonstrating its commitment to local female entrepreneurs. The fellowship is open to early-stage, female-founded or female-led businesses with strong growth potential, capable of achieving £100,000 in revenue before the program concludes. Eligible businesses must be based in the West Midlands Combined Authority area, including Birmingham, the Black Country, and Coventry. Applicants should present an innovative solution, a scalable business model, a compelling equity story, and some level of traction.

Rupert Lyle, fund principal for the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund at Midven, stated, "The Fortuna Fellowship represents a unique opportunity for talented female founders to gain the support and resources they need." He encourages all eligible female founders to apply and benefit from this program designed to accelerate their business growth.

Applications for the Fortuna Fellowship close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 9th February 2025. Interested parties can apply here.

This initiative addresses the ongoing disparity in venture capital funding, where female entrepreneurs often receive less early-stage investment than their male counterparts. A study by Boston Consulting Group found that startups founded by women generated 10% more cumulative revenue over five years, yet they receive significantly less early-stage investment.

By supporting female-led ventures, the Fortuna Fellowship aims to foster a more equitable future for female founders in the West Midlands.