How do we close the funding gap? With Sophie Winwood and Jodi Birkett

How do we close the funding gap? With Sophie Winwood and Jodi Birkett

Author: Deloitte UK June 4, 2024 Duration: 41:53

We all have good ideas. But some of us have to clear more hurdles than others.

If you're a founder, you want to make your ideas happen and grow your business.

But it's not always that easy.

If you're an investor, you want to back the best ideas and companies out there.

But are some of those ideas not even landing on your desk in the first place?

If you're a female founder, scaling your business should be just as easy as that of your male counterpart.

But that isn't always the case. The question is, why?

Only 2% of all VC funding goes to women-led startups. And while the consensus around investment is that it drives economic growth, the funding gap for female founders is still an ongoing challenge. And the numbers back it up.

It's clear we are missing out on brilliant ideas, talent and companies that could add billions to the UK economy. So, where do we go from here?

For this episode of The Green Room podcast, we're joined by Sophie Winwood, co-founder and CEO of Women in Venture Capital: Europe (WVC:E) and Jodi Birkett, UK TMT Leader, as we ask: How do we close the funding gap?

Tune in to find out:

  • What the funding gap is and why it exists
  • An insight into why the funding gap needs to close and the benefits
  • Sophie's experience as both an investor and a founder
  • How we can create more opportunities for founders and less blockers

 

Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Guests: Sophie Winwood, co-founder and CEO of Women in Venture Capital: Europe (WVC:E) and Jodi Birkett, UK TMT Leader

Hosts: Annie Wong and Ethan Worth

Original music: Ali Barrett


In The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business, conversations move beyond surface-level trends to examine the underlying forces reshaping the commercial landscape. Hosted by Deloitte UK, this award-winning podcast creates a space where complex, pressing questions are met with clarity and depth. Every discussion is built around a single, significant inquiry, bringing in leading voices from across various sectors to unpack it. What you'll hear is not just commentary, but substantive strategic analysis and expert insights designed for leaders and professionals who need to understand the 'why' and the 'how'. The dialogue consistently returns to critical, interconnected areas like digital transformation, the practical implications of AI and technology, evolving leadership models, and the realities of the future of work. It also delves into core business strategy, the pathways to genuine innovation, and the urgent demands of sustainability and climate action. This podcast functions as a dedicated forum for thought leadership, where each episode provides a focused lens on the topics that define success and responsibility in modern business. The aim is to equip listeners with perspectives that are both broad and deeply relevant, turning abstract concepts into actionable understanding. It’s a resource for anyone looking to engage with the substantive ideas that are currently challenging and changing organizations worldwide.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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