Women in Business
Realise your ambitions with our resources and support
Helping make the UK the best place for female founders
"Hi, I’m Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays.
We understand that women face many challenges when starting and scaling businesses, that’s why we aim to provide you with the support you need and be your genuine partner for growth.
We’re proud to be a founding signatory of the government’s Investing in Women code and I’m honoured to co-chair the Invest in Women Taskforce, alongside Debbie Wosskow OBE, which aims to make the UK the best place in the world to be a female entrepreneur.”
Inspiring success
We're here to offer expert support and funding to female-led businesses like yours to help you start-up, run and grow your business.
Boosting the economy
Nearly £250bn(1) could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men.
Our commitment
In support of the Investing in Women Code, we committed to help 250,000 women start, run and grow their businesses by 2026.
Supporting the next generation
We’re inspiring girls to consider entrepreneurship with LifeSkills, our financial education programme available to all secondary schools in the UK.
Specialist coaching
Our free specialist coaching sessions could help you with business planning, cashflow forecasts, digital support, accessing finance(2) and more. We offer four one-hour virtual sessions with one of our Business Relationship Managers, with flexibility to work around your schedule. You can also request a female coach, if you prefer.
To apply, you’ll need:
- A business account with us
- At least one female founder
- A UK business with an annual turnover between £50,000 and £6.5m
Once you’ve signed up, we’ll match you with one of our expert relationship managers within 10 working days. You can then see what coaching options are available and book your sessions.
97%
of participants rated coaching sessions as very good or good
100%
felt we understood their business
96%
felt extremely or very confident in growing their business compared to 22% pre-coaching
Your toolkit for success
Make your startup a success
Our top tips for getting your company running, including business and expenditure planning.
Eagle Labs Academy
Our free online platform to help you learn how to build your business. The content is designed with our partners and delivered in written and video format, so you can complete it how and when it suits you.
Dedicated programmes for business growth
Whatever stage your business is at, we’ve got tailored programmes to support you. So far, we’ve run programmes such as Women in Business, Black Founders, Scale Ups and Product Growth.
Barclays LifeSkills for Business
Get information and resources to support both your business and your employees, from government schemes to supporting individuals with their mental wellbeing, finances and employability skills.
Specialist mentors to grow your business
Our team of experts, tech gurus and thought leaders can support you on your journey. Connect with our specialist mentors to help you navigate challenges and grow your business.
Female Founder Accelerator
The Female Founder Accelerator was designed to support 100 innovative, female-led technology businesses gain access to one-to-one mentoring, in-person community networking and masterclasses focused on helping develop your business propositions, as well as opportunities to work with entrepreneurial experts from a variety of sectors. You can register your interest now for 2025. Applications open in October 2024.
Local events
Our events are designed to cover a wide range of topics to help to inspire entrepreneurs and founders like you to navigate the world of business.
Female Founders Forum
A space where inspirational female entrepreneurs can connect and promote innovation through access to networking, mentoring, research and more, the Female Founders Forum is set up in partnership with The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN)(3).
Rise Academies
Rise, created by Barclays, provides learning programmes for businesses at all stages of the journey, from ideation all the way through to scaling up. Join a community of like-minded fintech talent and access mentoring, events, thought leadership, and more including Female Founders First.
Learning and insights
Discover the latest videos and articles from Eagle Labs covering a wide range of topics to help you run and grow your business.
Invest in Women Hub
The Invest in Women Hub was created to provide resources for women who want to start, grow or scale their business in the UK. Explore a diverse selection of resources like information about finance providers, networks and events for women in business, and a video library for deep dives and short insights.
Borrowing for all businesses
Whether you’re just starting out or planning to expand, our lending and finance options(2) could help you succeed. We’ll help you manage maternity leave and accommodate life changes, with family-friendly capital repayment holidays and more.
Sources of funding
Learn more about financing and see our tips on how to prepare a strong business financing case. You’ll also find resources on how we can help accelerate the growth of your business.
Raising capital
The funding landscape can be complex. Our services, programmes and connections aim to help you understand your options when it comes to raising capital and connecting to investors.
Connect with potential investors
Only 2% of equity capital goes to female-founded businesses(4). Our Demo Directory makes it easier for ambitious founders to connect with potential investors and vice versa.
Stories of success
Red Run
After becoming disillusioned with brands in the activewear market, Megan Kimmance moved back to Liverpool from London to found her own business that, with help from us, is on its way to becoming a runaway success.
FIRST
Charlotte Windebank, founder of FIRST, discusses the challenges facing women in business, and more. Learn more about her thriving business and her journey as an entrepreneur – including her experience with our specialist coaching programme and her hopes for the future.
Health & Her
Five ways to give your new business idea a healthy start, from Kate Bache and Gervase Fay, co-founders of Health & Her.
Industry spotlight
Our industry specialists can offer personalised support and guidance for your business.
Sustainability
We have many resources to help your business on its journey towards net zero, from green asset finance options to sustainability training and net zero specialists.
Healthcare
Our industry specialists are here to offer personalised support if you’re in the healthcare sector. We’ve built up expert knowledge about the healthcare sector and understand its unique needs.
Real estate
Our Real Estate Managers understand both the potential and the difficulties of property investment. Their industry knowledge and financial expertise could help you develop and grow your property business.
Here to help you
Not sure where to begin? Let us support you by sharing some insights you’ll need to start building a business you’re proud of.
Business plan
A good business plan defines what you want to achieve and how you intend to achieve it. Our guide could help you write yours.
Business insights
We’ve put together a wide range of information for you – read up on plans, financial support, media and marketing and much more.
Business money management
Help keep your business finances healthy by sharpening your business money-management skills with our guides on managing cashflow.
Business bank accounts
Whether you’re a seasoned female founder or just starting out, our business accounts are here to help make banking simple. Make payments, send invoices, and manage your account on the go with our award-winning app. T&Cs apply.
Important information
Read more about boosting the economy. [PDF, 2.9 MB](Return to reference)
Subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Terms and conditions apply.(Return to reference)
We’re not responsible in any way for Ten Entrepreneurs or their content. If you decide to access the Ten Entrepreneurs website, you do so entirely at your own risk.(Return to reference)
Source: Beauhurst 2024(Return to reference)