07/10/2026
As the official media partner for Female Founder UK, it was interesting to read an article from The Times this week, about the fact The ScaleUp Institute has identified that 333 women had built up businesses worth over £50m - a figure that is up from just 80 two years ago.
This is, of course, great news, and has prompted The Times to declare that Britain has entered the 'decade of the female founder'. Exciting!
However, what I would like to see is more support for the thousands of women who sit below that £50m mark, which, according to the newspaper is seen as a 'milestone for meaningful scale'.
The word meaningful stings a bit here, because, through our work with Female Founder UK and at SASS media, we represent women at all stages and ages of their entrepreneurial journey, who are building meaningful businesses, even when they sit significantly below that £50m 'milestone'. Their businesses are meaningful to them and their families, meaningful to other women and their happy customers - and let's not forget, meaningful and significant to the UK economy.
They are women who, faced with a health challenge, have invented products or services that help other women in a similar situation.
They are women who have experienced burnout in corporate environments and decided to use their skills to their own ends and in a way that better suits their lives and serves their health and wellbeing.
They are women who have been made redundant and have felt a loss of their sense of identity, but have been compelled to turn that redundancy and loss of title into a positive.
They are women who have decided not to go back to work after having children (have you seen the cost of childcare!?)
They are women who are also caring for elderly parents or relatives.
They are women who have reached perimenopause or menopause and have suddenly found the working environment they have been used to no longer suits their needs.
They are women who have had a brilliant idea or a lightbulb moment - and have taken the brave step to run with it!
The Times article also cites 'latest available official statistics' showing that 14% of small and medium-sized businesses are founded or led by women. That is where many of the women I have described sit - and is not an insignificant figure.
There is a huge opportunity here for the government, banks and institutions, local authorities, companies concerned with business support and training and many other organisations, to support and nurture these women in their entrepreneurial journeys - for the good of everyone.
I'm so pleased to see that women's contribution to UK GDP is being recognised and I applaud the 333 women who have created businesses worth at least £50m.
Perhaps more could reach that figure with better support - if they want to of course!
Let's hope, in this case, a rising tide lifts all ships, and this acts as a catalyst for more support to help women feel validated and recognised as female founders, whatever their turnover or staff numbers.
If this resonates with you, sign up to our movement at www.femalefounderuk.co.uk
