BMO Business Banking’s Post

Invest in Women, Invest in Success: Championing Female Founders Today, I had the absolute privilege of joining the kick-off for the Enterprising Women Programme, powered by SETsquared Bristol. Out of a staggering 180 applicants, just 18 were selected, and I’m incredibly proud to be among this inspiring cohort. Every woman I met today, their vision, passion, and drive left me in awe. And here’s a thought-provoking fact: investors who back female founders see DOUBLE the returns on average compared to their investments in male-led businesses (Boston Consulting Group). Yet, shockingly, less than 2% of VC funding goes to female-founded businesses (Alison Rose Review). This needs to change. I’m thrilled that initiatives like this exist to empower women and push for the diversity our business landscape so desperately needs. Together, we’re shaping a future where equality and innovation thrive. 💥 #WomenInBusiness #DiversityMatters #InvestInWomen #EnterprisingWomen #SETsquaredBristol Thank you to Rick Chapman Paul Forster and Rosie Bennett.

Learn more about SheBoot. We interviewed Julia Elvidge, SheBoot Co-Founder. SheBoot is tackling the funding gap facing women entrepreneurs by increasing the number of women making and receiving investment. We’re charting a new path for women founders—to grow, scale and compete globally. #socialfinance #socialimpact #investinginwomen

2024 Founding Females® Overview: What we’re doing here at Founding Females® is so much bigger than one woman’s business. We’re challenging the status quo. We’re re-writing the playbook. The women in our community have helped write my future. Their wins feel like my wins. We published a 2024 review for Founding Females® which shares the highlights and lowlights (gotta keep it real, right?) of our year. And, since Founding Females® isn’t just one person, you get to hear about wins from women in our mastermind community, too. To read "Founding Females® 2024 in Review: 20 Wins, 40 Member Wins, and 8 Lessons Learned" visit https://lnkd.in/gBPWiWJf

This quote speaks to the heart of what it means to break barriers, defy expectations, and step boldly into spaces where women have historically been underrepresented. In business, we’re not just rewriting the rules - we’re creating a future where women lead, innovate, and build legacies on their own terms. From founding startups and scaling empires to mentoring the next generation, women are proving every day that there truly is no ceiling. ✨ Here’s to the women challenging norms, making an impact, and lifting each other up. Because when we support each other, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. Let’s keep moving forward, together. 💼💪

Throughout my 2 week trip through Central Asia talking about Upstart Co-Lab, the #creativeeconomy and #impactinvesting, the one resource I recommended over and over was website for the SoGal Foundation. So many amazing young women entrepreneurs who want to learn how impact investing can help them scale and sustain their work. Heads up! Pocket Sun and Elizabeth Galbut

Here’s to those women founders who are boldly building Canada’s world-class companies, who are disrupting with innovation, and who are widening pathways for women-led ventures. 🔥 Today we recognize National Women Entrepreneurs Day!

A New Era for Female Entrepreneurship in York & North Yorkshire Our region has the potential to create up to 165,000 jobs and add £2.6 billion to GVA by investing in female entrepreneurs. However, our research shows that despite these opportunities, women in business still face significant barriers – from entrenched social norms to challenges accessing funding and support. We’re calling on organisations, leaders, and policymakers to take action by: - Sharing success stories of female entrepreneurs - Offering tailored support - Promoting supplier diversity - Implementing inclusive work policies - Advocating for women-owned businesses Women in business, we need your voices to continue driving this change. Let's work together to build a future of equity, empowerment, and growth for all in York & North Yorkshire. Show your support and sign the pledge today - https://bit.ly/3zGKCDp #WomenInBusiness #SupportFemaleEntrepreneurs #InclusiveGrowth #YNYPledge

✨ Exciting News – SheGenerate 4.0 has launched today in Dublin! ✨ We’re delighted to kick off SheGenerate 4.0 with an inspiring group of women entrepreneurs from across the island of Ireland. Over the coming months, these founders will gain fresh strategies, insights, and connections to accelerate their business growth. Delivered by AwakenHub and supported by AIB & British Business Bank, SheGenerate is a unique accelerator designed for early-stage women founders. Let’s celebrate these trailblazers as they embark on this exciting journey. Stay tuned for updates and milestones – it’s only just beginning! 🙌🎉 Mary McKenna, MBE | Denise McQuaid | Clare McGee | Maria McKeever | Brìghde Barnes | Ellen Drumm | Sinead Crowley #supportedbyAIB #supportedbybritishbusinessbank #SheGen4 #awakenhub #SheGenerate #allisland

First day done and already have loads of clarity from the workshop, advice and live presentations. @AwakenHub is clearly a space where honest & helpful feedback & advice is at the core of everything. #scenariobasedlearning #digitallearning #applicableskills #action #growth #progress #accelerate #elevate #leadership #softskillsdevelopment #learninganddevelopment #ScenarioWorX

Inc. Magazine put out their 2024 list of 250 female founders. Take a look including the criteria that they used to choose this list of most intriguing women. However, the list only includes women in the United States. So here is the challenge. Use the comments and list/tag women from all over the world who you think are intriguing women. Who should we follow? Who should we lift up? Who is doing interesting things (regardless of the recognition or notoriety)? They don't have to be famous. They just have to be important to you (and be intriguing). If they are on LinkedIn tag them so that others can learn about these amazing, intriguing women too. #womenentrepreneurs #womeninbusiness #celebratingwomen #WomenInLeadership #TrailblazingWomen #WomenEmpowerment https://lnkd.in/dG3iS3Nx