Why women entrepreneurs remain one of the UK's greatest growth opportunities

The UK's future economic growth will depend on its ability to unlock talent, innovation and productivity in every nation and region. One of the biggest opportunities is the value that could be unlocked by addressing the barriers faced by women entrepreneurs.

Across the UK, women are building innovative businesses, creating jobs, developing new products and helping communities prosper. Whether in major cities, market towns or rural communities, these businesses are contributing to local economies and creating opportunities where they are needed most.

The economic opportunity is significant. Research suggests up to £250 billion of additional value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men. Yet despite the talent and potential that exists, women remain less likely to start and scale businesses than men.

As I travel across the UK meeting business owners I see first-hand the ambition, innovation and determination that exists in every region. The founders I meet are building successful businesses, creating jobs and driving growth in their local economies. Yet I also hear about the barriers that can make growth harder than it needs to be.

The challenge is ensuring that women entrepreneurs have the same opportunities, access and support required to grow, regardless of where they’re based.

Why are women entrepreneurs critical to the UK's future economic growth?

Nearly one million UK businesses are women-led, contributing innovation, employment and economic activity across sectors and regions. Yet women remain underrepresented within the entrepreneurial landscape, particularly among businesses that achieve significant scale.

Research consistently shows that diverse leadership teams bring broader perspectives, stronger innovation and improved problem-solving. Women-led businesses frequently demonstrate strong commercial outcomes and often outperform expectations once established. At a national level, increasing the number and scale of women-led businesses would create more jobs, boost productivity and strengthen regional economies. Crucially, it would help ensure that growth is spread more evenly across the UK, with more opportunities for people and businesses to thrive in every region.

Women entrepreneurs often have deep connections to the communities they serve. As their businesses grow, the benefits extend beyond the business itself through local employment, supply chains, skills development and investment in local economies. Supporting more women to start and scale businesses is therefore closely linked to creating long-term regional prosperity.

Importantly, this isn't a conversation about choosing between supporting men or women in business. It is about ensuring the economy benefits from the full range of entrepreneurial talent available. When barriers prevent capable founders from reaching their potential, everyone misses out.

If women-led businesses perform strongly, why does the funding gap still exist?

Research shows that women-led businesses often outperform market averages in revenue growth, yet barriers to finance continue to exist throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The reasons are complex and often structural. Access to finance is influenced by more than creditworthiness. Networks, visibility, awareness of funding options and access to investors all play an important role. Many women entrepreneurs are less likely to receive warm introductions into investment networks or have access to established circles where funding opportunities are discussed. In addition, founders may not always be aware of the full range of financing options available to support growth.

The founders I speak to often tell me that the challenge is access to information, networks and opportunities. Business owners want practical guidance on funding pathways, growth planning and the support available to help them take the next step.

As a result, businesses can become trapped in a cycle where they receive less capital, grow more slowly and consequently attract less investment in the future despite strong commercial prospects. The impact of this can be felt particularly strongly outside established investment hubs, where local economies risk missing out on jobs, innovation and business growth.