Autumn 2025: Empowering Female Founders and Investors Across the UK
Lifted Ventures elevate female founders by unlocking capital, confidence and connections. From our women-led angel network to our flagship Athena events and Women Angel Conference, we unite investors, educate entrepreneurs and fuel the growth of female-led ventures across the UK regions. Together, we’re reshaping venture capital so women aren’t just at the table, they’re leading it.
This autumn, Lifted Ventures will bring together women investors and founders through a series of events and programmes designed to accelerate growth and opportunity across the UK.
Here’s what’s coming up…
Athena Festival 2025: Powering Female Founders
Tuesday 7 October
Nexus, Leeds
www.tinyurl.com/AthenaFest2025
The largest female founder conference outside of London – Athena Festival – returns to Nexus Leeds, curated by Lifted Ventures.
Now in its second year, the festival champions female-led businesses outside London, drawing inspiration from the Greek goddess Athena – symbolising wisdom, courage, and strategic prowess.
Festival highlights include:
● Expert-led workshops on fundraising, scaling, leadership, and brand-building.
● Keynote sessions featuring women founders, investors, and ecosystem
leaders
● Pitch competitions offering exposure and funding feedback.
● Curated networking, including one-on-one mentor sessions.
Multi-award-winning journalist and TV presenter, Margarine Cole, will join us along with many other inspiring female speakers – to be announced very soon!
Secure your ticket: www.tinyurl.com/AthenaFest2025
This event is supported by the British Business Bank, RBC Brewin Dolphin, Gordons LLP, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, CO4CH and The Biskery.
Lifted Women Angel Conference
Friday 28 November 2025 – Save the date
Nexus Leeds
www.liftedventures.co.uk
The Lifted Women Angel Conference is the largest women angel investor gathering outside London, spotlighting the North’s growing female investment community.
The conference aims to elevate women’s roles in investment, both as angels and founders. The event combines networking, panel sessions and exposure to high-quality dealflow – all designed to boost female participation in angel finance.
Interested in finding out more about this event? Email us: info@liftedventures.co.uk
This event is supported by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, RBC Brewin Dolphin, Gordons LLP, the British Business Bank and CO4CH.
Athena Labs ‘Growth & Funding Programme’
North East launch event – Thursday 25 September 2025
The Catalyst, Newcastle Helix
Tickets: www.tinyurl.com/Athenalabsncl
Lifted Ventures in partnership with the National Innovation Centre for Ageing and the Internet of Caring Things® will launch a brand new growth and funding programme for North East female founders this Autumn.
Supported by the North East Combined Authority and the British Business Bank, this bold new initiative is launching to transform the future of ageing, wellness and longevity by backing early-stage female founders in the North East.
If you’re a North East female founder and your venture helps people live better lives, join us for an inspiring event and find out more about the programme. Stakeholders and connectors are also welcome!
Participants can apply to join the accelerator programme, which starts in October. Founders will benefit from mentoring, expert-led workshops and direct connections to investors.