Less than a week remains for women to apply for a programme tackling one of the North’s most persistent economic inequalities.

A New Era for Women Angels in York and North Yorkshire follows research from the University of York and the Federation of Small Businesses. The study revealed a stark disparity in regional venture capital: male-only founding teams raised £3.5 million, while female-only teams secured just £62,000.

Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of York, who led the research, said: “Female entrepreneurs possess the ambition, the ideas and the capability to transform our regional economy; what they have been denied is the investment and support to match it. This is not a funding gap, it is a missed economic opportunity of enormous scale. Our research reveals that closing this imbalance could unlock £2.6 billion for our region and create 165,000 jobs. The evidence is unambiguous and our responsibility is clear: As a region, we have a responsibility to build the partnerships, networks and influence to turn that potential into prosperity because the cost of inaction is simply too high.”

The initiative, delivered in partnership with Lifted Ventures and Enterprise Works, offers 15 funded places on the Lifted Angel Academy. The ten-week programme provides women with the technical knowledge and networks required to engage in angel investing—the practice of individuals providing capital to early-stage startups in exchange for equity.

Sam Gardner, Director of Enterprise Works, said: “York and North Yorkshire has an incredible pipeline of female entrepreneurial talent, but access to investment remains a barrier. This programme is about changing that and will equip more women to invest and drive meaningful growth.”

The course is open to women from all backgrounds, including those with no prior investment experience. While the programme focuses on the regional economy of North England, applicants from outside North Yorkshire are eligible if they intend to support businesses within the region.

Helen Oldham, Co-founder of Lifted Ventures, added: “Angel investors don’t just bring capital, they bring connections, insight and self-belief. By increasing the number of women angels, we strengthen the entire ecosystem and open up opportunities for founders who’ve been overlooked for too long.”

Applications close on Wednesday 13 May 2026, with the first cohort launching at York Guildhall the following week. Participants are asked to contribute £100 to secure their place on the subsidised programme.