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Supporting women and marginalised gender business leaders to transform the UK’s economic landscape

They possess the vision, determination, and innovative thinking to build transformative businesses that could reshape our economy for the better. Yet despite representing over half the population and making 80% of household purchasing decisions, they continue to operate within an economic system that wasn’t designed for their success. The entrepreneurship gender gap isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s an economic emergency that costs the UK up to £250 billion annually in unrealised potential (The Alison Rose Review)

The statistics paint a stark picture that reveals not individual shortcomings, but deep-rooted institutional failures that demand systematic solutions. From boardrooms where women hold just 35% of senior positions (GOV.UK) to investment committees where 91% of venture capital partners are men (CFAUK), the structures that should nurture entrepreneurial talent instead create barriers that are both visible and invisible. 

At Hatch Enterprise, we recognise that closing this gap requires more than good intentions—it demands targeted action, specialised support, and a fundamental reimagining of how we develop entrepreneurial talent in the UK.

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The programme gave me the opportunity to hear from experts who helped me think through business processes and showed me different tools I might want to use and the space to practice using them. I really appreciated that.

Headshot of Joanna

Joanna Knight,
Founder of merl

The entrepreneurship gender gap: Why targeted support matters

Across the UK, women and those from other marginalised genders are building businesses that could transform entire industries, yet they face systematic barriers at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. From accessing initial funding to scaling operations, these founders navigate an economic landscape that consistently undervalues their contributions and potential. The statistics reveal not individual shortcomings, but institutional failures that demand comprehensive solutions.

Breaking down the barriers

The challenges facing women entrepreneurs aren’t random obstacles—they’re predictable patterns that emerge from decades of male-dominated business culture. Understanding these barriers is the first step to dismantling them:

  • The UK loses approximately 1.1 million potential businesses because women don’t start enterprises at the same rate as men—a gap that costs our economy up to £250 billion (The Alison Rose Review)
  • Women are less likely than men to progress from having a business idea to actually starting that business, facing both external barriers and internal challenges throughout their entrepreneurial journey (The Alison Rose Review)
  • Female founders are half as likely as men to scale their businesses beyond the startup phase, frequently due to limited access to growth capital and networks (The Alison Rose Review)
  • Female-founded startups receive just 1% of venture capital funding, while women-owned SME loan applications succeed at rates 19 percentage points lower than men’s (The Alison Rose Review)
  • Professional networks remain male-dominated, leaving women 27% less likely to have the connections that drive business opportunities (Cornerstone Partners)
  • Family responsibilities create a double burden, with women spending 60% more time on care duties while trying to build businesses (The Alison Rose Review)

The Untapped Opportunity

When barriers are removed, women entrepreneurs don’t just participate—they lead:

  • Increased Innovation: Women-led businesses out-innovate their male-led counterparts, with 47% introducing innovations compared to 41% of male-led ventures (The Alison Rose Review)
  • Purpose-Driven Leadership: Female entrepreneurs are significantly more likely to build businesses that address social and environmental challenges, creating value beyond profit (Mucklemedia)
  • Market Understanding: Women founders often identify and serve underserved markets, particularly those serving female consumers who represent the majority of purchasing decisions (Startups.)

The evidence is clear: supporting women and other marginalised genders isn’t about charity or quotas—it’s about unlocking economic potential that benefits everyone. When we remove the barriers that prevent talented women and those from other marginalised genders from starting and scaling businesses, we don’t just create individual success stories—we strengthen entire communities and drive innovation that serves markets others have overlooked.

The path forward requires deliberate action to level the playing field. By providing targeted support, creating inclusive networks, and ensuring equal access to funding and opportunities, we can harness the full spectrum of entrepreneurial talent in the UK. This isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. A more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem benefits everyone through increased innovation, job creation, and economic resilience that comes from diverse perspectives and solutions.

250bn

£250bn Lost from the UK economy due to the entrepreneurship gender gap

1%

Female-founded startups receive just 1% of venture capital funding

I’ve never been in such a supportive environment, everyone was cheering everyone else on. I feel like a completely different person since finishing the course. The team at Hatch have honestly been absolutely incredible, and I can’t thank them enough! I now have much more confidence in myself and my business.

Katie Cory,

Founder of Peb and Reg

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Building businesses that work for women and other marginalised genders

At Hatch Enterprise, we haven’t just adapted existing programmes for women—we’ve fundamentally reimagined what entrepreneurship support looks like when it’s designed from the ground up to address gender-specific challenges

Our approach recognises that women entrepreneurs face a perfect storm of systemic barriers that traditional business support fails to address. Conventional programmes assume participants have unlimited time and established professional networks, —assumptions that ignore the structural inequalities women navigate daily.

Instead, we’ve created a methodology that works to dismantle, rather than work around, these barriers. Our programmes acknowledge that society often places additional expectations on women—from unpaid care work to facing imposter syndrome in male-dominated spaces—and that succeeding requires strategies that address these external pressures rather than asking women to simply overcome them.

Every cohort begins with a comprehensive needs assessment that goes beyond business skills to understand the structural and societal context each founder operates within. We then shape the programme content, timing, and delivery to actively counteract these barriers and maximise impact for that specific group of women.

I liked that it was online and it was women-only. There were some really, really interesting speakers that really just allowed me to think about certain aspects of my business in a completely different way.

Cheryl Ndione

Founder of Empowering Young People through the Arts

Our Programmes

At Hatch Enterprise, we offer comprehensive support for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, with particular expertise in empowering women and those from other marginalised genders. Our decade of experience has given us deep insights into the entrepreneurial landscape, allowing us to design programmes that address both universal business challenges and the specific barriers faced by underrepresented founders.

We offer a range of programmes tailored to different stages of the entrepreneurial journey, from those just starting with an idea through to established businesses ready to scale. Some of our programmes are specifically designed for women and marginalised gender founders, while others welcome entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. Each programme combines expert-led learning, peer support, and personalised guidance to help founders build sustainable, impactful businesses.

We offer a range of programmes tailored to different stages of the entrepreneurial journey:

Launchpad:

For those with a business idea looking to start their entrepreneurial journey

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Incubator:

For founders with established businesses looking to grow sustainably

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Accelerator:

For established businesses ready to scale their impact and operations

Expert-Led Learning

Our sessions are delivered by industry experts with relevant experience, providing practical knowledge that can be immediately applied to your business

Peer Support

Small cohorts of like-minded entrepreneurs create supportive communities where founders can share experiences, challenges, and solutions with others who understand their journey.

Personalised Guidance

From one-to-one support to tailored feedback on business plans, we ensure every founder receives the specific guidance they need to succeed.

Practical Tools

Our focus is on actionable strategies and tools that can be implemented straightaway, creating real progress throughout the programme.

Learn more about our methodology

Accessibility Features

Our programmes incorporate carefully designed accessibility features that address the specific barriers many disabled and neurodivergent entrepreneurs face:

  • Flexible Session Structure: We include regular breaks and adjustable pacing, recognizing that everyone’s day looks different and health can fluctuate
  • A Space That Works For You: Join online with your camera on or off – we understand that sometimes screens can be too much, and that’s completely fine
  • Learn At Your Own Pace: We’ll send you materials before sessions so you can review them when it suits you best, whether that’s the night before or first thing in the morning
  • Clear Roadmaps: We provide straightforward session outlines and next steps, because keeping track of multiple tasks can be challenging for many of us
  • Bring Your Support Person: Support workers are always welcome in our sessions, and we offer different ways to communicate if speaking up isn’t always easy
  • Simplified First Steps: Applying shouldn’t be a hurdle – we offer application help and alternative formats, just let us know what works for you
  • Personal Guidance: Our team members are there for one-to-one chats when you need them, bringing understanding of diverse experiences to every conversation

We continuously improve these features based on what our participants tell us works best for them – because accessible support means listening to the people who know their needs best.

Our comprehensive approach delivers meaningful results:

148%

increase in founders’ ability to access the funding they need

108%

increase in founder’s ability to communicate the impact of their business on average

89%

improvement in measuring their business finances

I was very surprised to see there were other migrant women and it was very empowering because it was like – I’m not alone. There are other people that support me and believe in my business. There are a lot of people that believe in this story.

Agnese Cigliano

Founder of Aasté Rugs and Launchpad graduate

Investment in Your Success

We’re committed to removing financial barriers to entrepreneurship:

  • Accessible Pricing: We offer a range of programmes with various pricing structures, including fully-funded opportunities and programmes with nominal fees. For programmes that do have fees, we offer bursaries that can cover up to 100% of the cost for eligible participants
  • Grant Opportunities: Many of our programmes include the chance for graduates to apply for competitive grants to invest in their business growth
  • Value for Money: All our programmes deliver exceptional value (typically valued at £3,000+) through expert-led sessions, personalised support, and ongoing community access
  • Sustainable Support: Continued access to our community and resources after programme completion

Join our inclusive entrepreneurship community

For Women and Other Marginalised Genders

We’re here to support your entrepreneurial journey with understanding, resources, and connections. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your business, our programmes are designed to work with your unique needs and strengths.
Explore our programmes

For Partners and Funders

Support the next generation of women into business. Your partnership helps us break down barriers and create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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