New initiative launched to support female entrepreneurs in Birmingham

Birmingham-based venture capital firm Midven has teamed up with The 51% Club to launch the Fortuna Fellowship, a unique accelerator aimed at promoting high-growth female-led startups, including those in the technology sector. The programme, a first in the region, could see up to five enterprises sharing a £2 million investment.

Midven has already committed £1 million from the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund, which it manages, as part of this endeavour to support local female entrepreneurs. The Fortuna Fellowship will be delivered in collaboration with The 51% Club, a peer community designed to help female founders expand their businesses.

Participants will undergo a 12-month growth programme, receiving mentorship from high-level advisors and participating in a custom series of workshops and masterclasses led by industry experts. The programme will include personal investment team sessions, monthly co-working spaces, and an immersive innovation residential. Founders will vie for a portion of the £2 million equity investment by the programme’s end, contingent upon securing matching co-investment and other standard prerequisites.

Rupert Lyle, Fund Principal for the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund at Midven, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, stating, “We are excited to launch the Fortuna Fellowship and provide a platform for talented female founders to thrive. Our goal is to empower these entrepreneurs and help them achieve their full potential with a programme that’s designed to accelerate the growth of their businesses.”

The Fortuna Fellowship is open to early-stage female-led businesses demonstrating innovative solutions, scalable business models, and some level of traction. Applications open on 1 January, and interested businesses can register by visiting the51percent.club/fortuna-fellowship.

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