Accepting applications and pitches from entrepreneurs right across the UK, investor and Dorset Business Angels member Valeria Romano argues why there is a clear commercial opportunity to increase both the number and quality of investable businesses entering the early-stage pipeline — particularly female-led tech ventures that remain underrepresented.
Angel investors back good deals. They always have, and they always will.
That principle sits at the heart of how Dorset Business Angels approaches investment. We do not invest based on gender, background or labels.
Investment decisions are made on the strength of the opportunity, the team, and potential returns. The challenge is simpler, and harder in that we don’t see enough strong, investment-ready female-led propositions coming forward.
Women often find it harder to discuss finances with men, especially in evaluative or high-stakes settings such as pitching and investment discussions.
This can affect confidence, communication style and timing of engagement with investors. The issue is framed clearly as structural and behavioural, not a reflection of weaker businesses.
That’s not a criticism. It’s a gap in the ecosystem, one that investors, advisers, accelerators and founders can all help close.
A pipeline problem, not a preference problem
Recent OECD research revealed that across OECD countries, there are an estimated 24.8 million “missing” women entrepreneurs.
University of Glasgow research shows male-led companies in the UK receive 62.9% of investment funding, compared with just 18.2% for female-led firms.
Angel networks like DBA sit at a crucial point in the start-up journey, providing early-stage capital, real-world commercial scrutiny, and access to experience, not just money.
Although angels do not ‘solve’ entrepreneurship challenges, they do back credible, scalable opportunities when they’re presented well. That’s why improving female readiness, confidence and exposure matters far more than changing investor behaviour.
As Roderick Beer, Managing Director of UKBAA, has previously stated, angel investors are often the first point of contact for women entrepreneurs seeking funding.
And that’s particularly significant because women entrepreneurs are more likely to access funding through trust-based relationships, exactly the kind of connections that angel networks provide.
Moving from debate to action
Rather than debating statistics, DBA is focused on what we can actually do.
Working alongside organisations such as Evolve, Barclays Eagle Labs and regional partners, we see several areas where tangible progress can be made in positively influencing female entrepreneurs:
Pipeline development is key. More founders need clearer guidance on what angel investors actually look for — and crucially, when they are ready to pitch.
Local role models matter. Profiling successful women entrepreneurs helps challenge stereotypes about who founders are and what investable businesses look like. Celebrate success to raise awareness and demonstrate that women-led businesses represent smart investments, not charity cases.
Investor education is equally important. Encouraging more women to become angel investors, particularly in syndicates and decision-making roles, thus developing angel investor networks.
Founder readiness remains fundamental. Provide practical guidance on pitching, financials, valuation and scale.
And finally, access and visibility must improve. Too many founders self-select out of investment conversations before they begin, assuming angel networks are inaccessible or unsuitable for them.
A clear call to action
Supporting more women entrepreneurs isn’t about “doing the right thing”, it’s about not missing good deals and doing smart business.
Angel investing works best when the pipeline is broad, opportunities are well-prepared, and investors see more, not fewer, credible propositions.
That’s good for founders, investors and strengthens the wider tech economy and contributes to the UK’s competitiveness.
The message is simple:
For female founders:
If you have a scalable business and are preparing for investment, engage early. Get your proposition match fit.
For advisers and ecosystem partners:
Help female founders understand what angels really look for, and when not to pitch yet.
For female investors:
If you’re curious about angel investing, particularly women considering their first investment, angel networks like DBA offer a supportive, structured way in. The more investment-ready businesses that come forward, the stronger the ecosystem becomes.
