Eight-Week Fundraising Accelerator for Women Entrepreneurs – Female Founders Rise

The Female Founders Rise Fundraising Accelerator is an eight-week programme designed to help women and non-binary entrepreneurs across the UK prepare for investment, strengthen their fundraising strategies and connect with potential investors.

The programme provides practical training, expert guidance and networking opportunities for founders who are actively raising investment or planning to begin fundraising within the next three months.

Participants develop the skills, resources and confidence needed to approach investors and secure funding for their businesses.

Application Status: WAITLIST OPEN – Next Cohort To Be Announced

Here's what you can expect:

• Eight weeks of structured fundraising support

• Weekly virtual sessions

• Expert guidance from investors and experienced entrepreneurs

• Support with developing and improving pitch decks

• Practical advice on approaching investors

• Opportunities to pitch to potential investors

• Guidance on investment options and fundraising strategies

• Access to a network of angel investors and venture capital professionals

• Peer networking with other women entrepreneurs

• Continued support through the Raise Circle alumni community

What does the programme cover?

1. Business Positioning and Strategy

Founders develop a clear understanding of how to communicate their business proposition to investors.

Topics include:

• Business purpose and mission

• Long-term vision

• Market positioning

• Communicating commercial potential

2. Understanding Funding Options

Participants explore different investment routes and identify suitable funding strategies.

Topics include:

• Angel investment

• Venture capital

• Equity fundraising

• Investment readiness

• Understanding investor expectations

3. Pitch Deck Development

Founders receive guidance on creating compelling investment presentations.

Support includes:

• Structuring pitch decks

• Communicating business opportunities

• Presenting financial information

• Demonstrating growth potential

• Improving investor-facing materials

4. Pitch Practice and Investor Engagement

Participants develop their presentation skills and receive feedback.

Activities include:

• Practice pitching

• Investor feedback sessions

• Improving presentation confidence

• Understanding investor questions

• Opportunities to pitch to investors

5. Strategic Investor Outreach

Founders learn how to identify and approach suitable investors.

Topics include:

• Researching potential investors

• Developing outreach strategies

• Building investor relationships

• Preparing for fundraising conversations

• Following up with prospective investors

Who can apply?

The programme is designed for female and non-binary founders of UK-registered businesses.

Applicants must:

• Be a female or non-binary founder of a UK-registered business.

• Be actively fundraising or planning to raise investment within three months.

• Have a business with demonstrable growth and scaling potential.

• Have a clearly defined fundraising goal.

• Have SEIS/EIS advance assurance, where eligible, or be in the process of applying.

• Be able to attend weekly programme sessions.

• Be committed to developing their investment strategy.

Programme commitments

Participants must be available for:

Duration: Eight weeks

Session Day: Fridays

Session Time: 11:00am–1:00pm

Delivery: Online

Founders are expected to participate actively in sessions and complete practical fundraising activities.

What happens after the programme?

Graduates are invited to join the Raise Circle, an ongoing community supporting founders as they continue their fundraising journeys.

Benefits include:

• Investor office hours

• Access to fundraising resources

• A dedicated founder community

• Peer networking

• Continued learning opportunities

• Priority access to selected events

How much funding is available?

Direct Grant Funding: None advertised

The programme does not offer a guaranteed cash award.

Instead, it helps founders prepare to raise investment through external investors.

Participants may gain access to investor networks and pitching opportunities, but securing investment is not guaranteed.

Programme costs

Female Founders Rise has previously charged participation fees for accelerator cohorts.

Applicants should confirm the current fee and any ongoing Raise Circle membership costs before accepting a place.

The programme does not take equity in participating businesses, according to its published cohort information.

How does the application process work?

Step 1 – Review Eligibility

Founders should check that their business meets the programme's investment-readiness requirements.

Step 2 – Join the Waitlist

The official programme page currently invites founders to join the waitlist.

Step 3 – Await Cohort Announcements

Interested founders can receive information about future application opportunities.

Step 4 – Apply When Applications Reopen

Eligible founders can submit an application when the next cohort is announced.

Step 5 – Selection and Participation

Successful applicants will receive further information about joining the programme.

Programme information

Programme: Female Founders Rise Fundraising Accelerator

Duration: Eight weeks

Funding Amount: No direct grant funding

Support Type: Investment readiness, mentoring and investor connections

Location: United Kingdom

Delivery: Virtual

Target Audience: Female and non-binary founders of UK-registered businesses

Application Deadline: To be announced