A new programme has been launched in South Yorkshire to support female tech founders.
FoundHERy comes following a recent report showing that regional businesses with a female founder have an estimated value of £198m. That’s up from £34.8m in 2020. The valuation averages out at £6m for each female-founded business, compared to £3.5m for male-only founded ones.
“South Yorkshire has everything it takes to be one of the UK’s leading places for innovation – but we know we won’t reach our full potential unless everyone has the chance to succeed,” explained South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard.
“Female founders across our region are already building brilliant tech businesses, but too often they don’t get the same access to investment, networks or opportunities as men. That’s not just unfair – it holds our whole economy back.
“The FoundHERy is about changing that dynamic. It’s about backing talented founders, opening doors, and making sure South Yorkshire is a place where anyone with a good idea and the drive to succeed can build a great business. That’s how we create good jobs, grow our economy, and build a stronger, more equal region for everyone.”
The programme is part of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) funded TECH SY.
Delivered by Barnsley Council, TECH SY has secured co-funding for The FoundHERy programme from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) through Barnsley’s status as the UK’s first Tech Town.
Additional funding has been committed by the British Business Bank, headquartered in Sheffield.
READ MORE – Closing the female founder funding gap could unlock growth for the UK economy
FoundHERy is a pilot programme aimed at female tech founders at start-up, early growth and scaling stages. The programme comprises an eight-week intensive support period, a curated mission to London Tech Week, one to one support, group accountability calls, bespoke support to address a core challenge, connectivity with investors and a final pitch event with investors.
“Female founders are a powerful driver of growth, new jobs and businesses of the future – and programmes like The FoundHERy provide exactly the targeted support needed to unlock that potential,” added Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall.
“South Yorkshire is already home to some of the UK’s most ambitious women in tech, and through our investment in Barnsley as a Tech Town, we’re making sure those ideas get the backing they deserve.
“When women are empowered to start and scale businesses, whole communities benefit – and that is central to this government’s mission to kickstart growth across every part of the country.”
