Prime Highlights:

• Starling Bank and Small Business Britain have launched a UK-wide campaign to help women start and grow their businesses.
• The campaign will offer a free training programme, Female Founder Fundamentals, providing guidance, skills, and support for female entrepreneurs.

Key Facts:

• Over 150 women business owners attended the campaign’s launch event at Emirates Stadium, celebrating achievements in business and sport.
• UK Government research shows women led 14% of SMEs in 2024 and make up around 30% of solopreneurs, highlighting the potential for growth in female-led businesses.

Background:

Starling Bank is working with Small Business Britain to launch a UK-wide campaign to help women start and grow their businesses. From early 2026, the campaign will offer a free training programme called Female Founder Fundamentals to guide women in building and growing their businesses.

The programme will offer online masterclasses and peer-learning sessions to help women build confidence, improve financial skills, and grow their businesses. It will also offer help with staying mentally strong, managing money, and building supportive business networks. Research shows that 60% of female founders find it hard to switch off from work, showing the need for extra support.

The partnership kicked off with a networking event at Emirates Stadium on 8 November, before the Arsenal Women’s Super League game against Chelsea. More than 150 women business owners attended, celebrating success in business and sport. The event also gave them a chance to learn, connect, and get inspired.

Michelle Ovens, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain, said the event showed the drive and determination women bring to business. She added that the partnership with Starling will provide useful tools and training to help more women start and grow successful businesses.

The masterclasses will be led by established female founders and industry experts. Finance expert Faye Watts will give advice on getting funding, while web design expert Cheryl Laidlaw will share tips on working more efficiently and growing a business.

Starling, a bank started by women, stressed its support for female business owners. Michele Rousseau, Starling’s Chief Marketing Officer, said the partnership is focused on giving women the tools and knowledge they need to succeed and grow their businesses.

Research from the UK Government shows that in 2024, women led 14% of small and medium-sized businesses and made up around 30% of solo business owners. Experts say that if women started and grew businesses at the same rate as men, the UK economy could gain up to £250 billion. The partnership aims to raise the number of female-led small businesses to 30% by 2030.