Supporting International Women's Day 8 March 2023 - Founders Raising

SUPPORTING FEMALE FOUNDERS TO RAISE 2023 – SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 8 March 2023

As a Female Founder myself when I first started out trying to raise for www.gateway2enterprise.co.uk which was then in those days after two name changes and going from being an Alternative Finance Platform to now Raising mainly Equity for Global Founders and Funds with a New Investment Matching platform being launched in May 2023. I am also the Founder of ‘FOOTPRINTS the Family Office/UHNWI Events in Mayfair for over 10 years with 54 Events in this space where we can Present our Portfolio to our Investor Members which is 4000 and growing.

I will never forget two Presentations I did 1. Jack Mar Investment Committee to a Male only board with men in suits of a certain age. I have always enjoyed Presenting and I remember that my Coach/Mentor who is still my Advisor and Mentor just kept saying, ‘remember your numbers – cash flow – cash flow’ as that is what they will grill you over. And before I could get into my flow I was bombarded with questions over Finances which I knew. It was aggressive and even I was scared and I managed to survive but did not raise. Another Presentation was to a UHNWI Chinese at the Shard I was the only Female Presenting and I was due to Present after his lunch. He was running late and as I walked in he knocked over his water so he was not in a good mood. So it went down hill from there and I did not raise with him. I actually did my first Pitch to him on a Saturday afternoon on the phone as he demanded and had not time to prepare.

So, yes it was scary then and things are slowly changing.

We try to attract more Female Founders to work with to raise and to Present at our Family Office Events next one is 30 March London Easter Spring Family Office/UHNWI/Investor Event Tickets, Thu 30 Mar 2023 at 16:00 | Eventbrite Though I find it difficult to find them and them to find us or having a Female asking them the questions is this off putting?

In 2022 we raised for a Female Founder UK with a Guernsey Family Office and unfortunately it fall through due to the Board which was headed up by a Swiss VC who had invested in first round and this had parachuted most of her Team on to the Board as this Founder was voted off her own START UP – vote of no confidence. I was not shocked but really felt for her.

Going into 2023 – we have so far 3 Term Sheets in the Fintech space and Web3 and not one of them is a Female Founder nor do they have a Female Board Member which is disappointing.

We raise consistently and successfully and did have two Female Team Members raising but at present we have not one and hope to recruit again in Q2 2023. I try to reflect ‘DIVERSITY’ within my Team and have two female Members one Manager of Footprints our Family Office Private Club and another as a Partner with Valued Exit working with Founders wanting to work on an exit.

So I have been there – felt your pain and survived as you will if reading this as a Female Founder. I have also written Women Warriors Book Amazon.co.uk:Customer reviews: Women Warriors: A True WOMAN WARRIOR LIFTS UP Other WOmen

I work very closely with several Funds in the UK that would love to hear from Female Founders if you wish to contact me karen@gateway2enterprise.co.uk

There are more than ever since my days of being in NYC USA attending to speak at a Family Office Event where I witnessed that great eco support system for Female Founders and thankfully we now have this here in the UK. A list of 150+ active female angel investors in Europe | Sifted We also have Pink Salt Ventures for Women in Technology. Angel Academe - increasing female investment If you wish to submit your Pitch Deck for review karen@gateway2enterprise.co.uk