The Investment Gap:
Understanding Investment Barriers for Female Founders 

Millie Prince-Hodges, Cassandra Quean, and George Vincent

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About the report

The Investment Gap: Understanding Investment Barriers for Female Founders is a Creative UK research report, commissioned through Creative Enterprise and supported by the BFI, exploring the lived experiences of female founders seeking investment in the screen industries.

Drawing on interviews and a focus group with female-led screen businesses across England, the report examines the interpersonal, structural and systemic barriers that shape investment outcomes.

It reveals how gender bias, informal networks, childcare responsibilities, socio-economic background and geography can influence founders' access to investment and opportunities for growth.

Alongside highlighting the challenges, the report identifies practical recommendations for investors, policymakers, business support providers and industry organisations, helping to build a more inclusive investment ecosystem and unlock the growth potential of female-led screen businesses.

Download the report

 

With thanks to:

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Our Female Founders Ecosystem

Our Female Founders ecosystem is Creative Enterprise’s long-term commitment to supporting women building screen industry businesses across England.

It brings together targeted programmes, peer networks, events and industry partnerships to address the structural barriers female founders continue to face: from access to finance and leadership confidence to visibility and sustainable growth.

By creating a connected pathway of support at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, the ecosystem exists to level the playing field, strengthen businesses, and build a more inclusive and resilient screen sector for the future.

 

Female Founders Programme

Creative Enterprise’s Female Founders programme champions ambitious women leading screen industry businesses across England. It’s the original programme for female leaders and has been running since 2020. Through expert-led workshops, mentorship, peer learning and structured development support, the programme equips founders with the tools, confidence and networks they need to grow sustainably. It creates space for honest conversation about the realities of building a screen business, while fostering long-term collaboration and shared learning within a powerful national community.

Over the last five years, we’ve supported over 70 female founders via this programme.

“The Female Founders programme is about creating a space where women in the screen industries feel seen, supported and ambitious. We’re building a network that lasts well beyond the programme itself. What we see time and again is the transformation in confidence. Founders leave not only with sharper strategies and stronger business models, but with the belief that they belong at the table.”

Sarah Jones, Project Manager - Female Founders

 

 

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Female Founders: Introduction to Investment 

Female Founders: Introduction to Investment is a new programme from Creative Enterprise designed to demystify the world of investment for women building screen businesses. Instead of traditional “investment-readiness” structure, this programme creates space to explore funding options, build understanding, and develop confidence before making significant financial decisions. Through expert guidance, and insights from both founders and investors, the programme supports participants to gain clarity on different funding routes and to consider whether external investment aligns with their long-term vision and growth ambitions.

“We introduced Female Founders: Introduction to Investment because we consistently saw a gap in investment knowledge across our Female Founders community. Many women were being told to ‘raise investment’ without having had the opportunity to properly understand whether it’s even the right route for their business. This programme was created to address that need and female leaders with confidence and clarity.” 

Kate Sanders, Senior Programme Manager, Creative Enterprise

 

 

 

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Female Founders Magazine

The Female Founders Magazine showcases the stories, insights and achievements of women within the programme and beyond. Through interviews, reflections and industry commentary, the publication highlights the impact of the ecosystem and amplifies the voices of founders shaping the future of the screen industries.

 

“The Female Founders Magazine is about visibility and voice. It gives space to the stories behind the businesses: the pivots, the risks, the lessons and the wins. We want it to feel honest and reflective of the real journeys women are navigating in the screen industries, while celebrating the strength and ambition of this community.”

Ivana Karabova, Marketing Manager - Creative Enterprise

 

 

 

Female Founders Conference

The annual Female Founders Conference brings together the entire network for a day of inspiration, practical insight and meaningful connection. Featuring leading voices from across the screen industries, alongside hands-on clinics and peer networking, the conference is a vital moment in the calendar. It celebrates the achievements of the network while creating new opportunities for collaboration, funding conversations and shared learning.

Over the last four years, we’ve been able to bring the conference to cities across England including Bristol, Manchester and London

“Bringing the Conference to different regions is important to us. It reflects our commitment to building a thriving screen business community across the whole country, not just in one city. Seeing the energy in the room - the conversations, the connections, the confidence - reminds us why building this community matters.”

Haley Edwards, Head of Creative Enterprise 

 

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