Top 6 business grants to combat the gender funding gap

Accessing funds can have a huge influence on business success. However, it’s much more difficult for female founders to secure small business grants compared to their male counterparts, primarily due to biases and a lack of representation.

Despite 19.1% of active companies in the UK being run by women, female-led businesses received just 5.8% of investments in 2024.

However, initiatives are being taken to get female founders the funding they deserve. Most notably, the Invest in Women taskforce pledged to fund £250 million in women-led businesses last year. By teaming up with other major investors such as Barclays, M&G and Morgan Stanley, it ended up exceeding this target, successfully creating one of the world’s largest investment pools for female entrepreneurs.

So while the gender funding gap is still alive and kicking, there are ways to kick it to the curb. Read on to discover the six women-only business funds and awards for 2025.

1. Innovate UK

Innovate UK holds several awards, some specifically for female founders to win a cash prize to help accelerate their business and bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurship.

The most popular award is the Women Innovation Award, which is held every year and offers at least 20 awards for female entrepreneurs across the UK as part of a government-backed funding competition.

As of now, there hasn’t been any update on when the next entries will be open. However, women-led businesses in the tech industry can apply for the Women TechEU Award. 160 winners will receive a €75,000 (around £62,000) prize and a personalised development programme. Applications are open until March 17th, 2025.

2. Female Founders Fund

The Female Founders Fund (FFF) offers investment to women starting a business, including those in the pre-seed stages (the lowest of startup funding).

It was first started by experienced entrepreneur Anu Duggal in 2014 and has since helped hundreds of women across industries – including B2B, finance and healthcare – to bring their business ideas to life and realise their potential. The fund has also developed into a widespread ecosystem of resources, events and female leaders nationwide.

On average, the fund makes around 6-8 investments per year between £400,000-£650,000, so it’s a competitive application process. You can find out more about applying for FFF here or use its online application form to submit your business pitch.

3. Astia

Astia is a global fund that invests in women-led, diverse businesses. The company accepts applications all year round from high-growth companies with at least one woman in a position of significant equity and influence.

Its specialist funding process, Astia Expert Sift™ typically takes 4-6 weeks. However, throughout the steps, including reviewing a company’s business plan and providing feedback on the market opportunity, businesses also receive access to valuable connections and advice.

However, one drawback is that the firm invests in companies beyond the concept stage, which means it’s only suitable for more established startups that have demonstrated traction or market validation.

You can apply to Astia through its online portal.

4. Anita Borg Institute

While it might not strictly be a grant organisation, the Anita Borg Institute runs the Abie Awards, which celebrates outstanding women working in the tech industry. 

Businesses can also apply for the Pass It On Awards (PIO), which supports women technologists to launch their projects. Meanwhile, its PitcHER Awards offers funding for early-stage technology startups from all industries.

Most of these categories advertise a cash prize for the winners, plus an expense-paid trip to the awards ceremony in the US. For example, PitcHER is offering the first-place winner $50,000 (approximately £40,000).

You can find out more about the Anita Borg programmes here.

5. Cartier Women’s Initiative

The Cartier Women’s Initiative is an annual programme that supports women-led businesses by offering the opportunity to apply for one of its business grants. 

To be eligible for the grant, businesses must be in their early stages (1-3 years old), have an innovative idea and have good potential for future growth. It also offers a range of different award programmes to choose from, including its Regional Awards (North America, Latin American, Europe, etc.), Impact Awards and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Awards.

Applications will open from April 18 to June 24, but you can find out more about the awards through the Cartier Women’s Initiative website.

6. HATCH support programmes

HATCH is an online and in-person UK business community that supports entrepreneurs looking to grow or scale their existing businesses, including 81% of female founders.

For example, the Hatch Accelerator Programme is designed to help female-led businesses grow 10x over 10 years using coaching, mentoring and training. If you’re in the early stages of launching your business, The Launchpad Programme helps you develop skills in business modelling, finance, communications and marketing.

Once you’ve completed a programme, you may be eligible to apply for a business grant through the Hatch Grant Fund.