**Study Reveals Persistent Barriers for Female Entrepreneurs Seeking Investment**
A new study focusing on women in business has cast fresh light on the struggles many female entrepreneurs face when trying to secure the backing they need to succeed. The research, included in the latest Women in Business Report by AXA, surveyed 500 female business owners across the UK and found that nearly one in three believe they are routinely overlooked by potential investors. This perception comes hand-in-hand with a broader sense that the business environment still remains less than welcoming for many women.
Amongst those surveyed, 20 per cent voiced their belief that it is more difficult for women than men to achieve business success. The main reason cited was the limited access to funding and investment opportunities, a longstanding issue that has seen little change over the years. The study’s findings serve as a timely reminder that, despite progress, gender disparities in UK business leadership are more than just a relic of the past.
The report also highlighted additional challenges confronting female entrepreneurs. Issues such as gender bias, work-life balance difficulties, and the persistence of stereotypical views on decision-making styles continue to dog women in business. Notably, some 40 per cent of respondents reported having encountered prejudices that framed their business choices as “emotional” rather than “rational”, reinforcing outdated ideas about women’s suitability for entrepreneurship.
A quarter of those surveyed also pointed to the struggle of finding a team that offers genuine support and shares their vision. This sense of isolation is compounded by what many described as a lack of recognition for their achievements and a scarcity of examples of women holding senior roles in their field.
The AXA report was undertaken in tandem with the AXA Startup Angel initiative, an annual competition which aims to boost aspiring business owners by offering significant financial rewards and access to expert mentoring. Each year, two winners receive a £25,000 prize and personal guidance from four accomplished entrepreneurs, a move intended to counterbalance some of the systemic hurdles women still face.
Commenting on the research, Mike Crane, director of small business insurance at AXA UK, acknowledged the sharp realities facing female business leaders. “While there has been considerable progress, it’s clear we’re still a way off achieving equal footing for women in business,” said Crane. He emphasised that more than half of those surveyed perceive gender bias and stigmatisation as major problems, whilst nearly a third do not feel taken seriously by key stakeholders such as investors, customers, or suppliers.
Despite these numerous obstacles, the survey also uncovered positives. Nearly half of respondents expressed that running their own business provided them with much-valued flexibility, particularly in terms of spending time with their families. For some, this was the driving motivation behind launching their own ventures, with 20 per cent stating they had set out expressly to empower other women and champion diversity within their sectors.
There was also a marked desire to effect change in local communities, with 15 per cent of women business owners setting out with this goal firmly in mind. Furthermore, 43 per cent said that their experience of entrepreneurship was helping to set a positive example for the next generation, especially for their own children.
The collective voice from the research makes a strong case for tackling the enduring inequalities in Britain’s business landscape. The ten biggest hurdles identified in the survey ranged from societal pressures around appearance and expectations to entrenched ideas about leadership and authority. Other top concerns included unequal shares of domestic responsibilities and rigid role models that narrow the scope for female achievement.
With small enterprises playing such a central role in the UK’s economic vitality, the need to dismantle these barriers is more pressing than ever. As Crane concluded, “Being a woman should never amount to a disadvantage in business. It’s crucial we give every entrepreneur the opportunity to thrive—regardless of gender.”
The AXA Startup Angel programme and reports such as this one are part of wider efforts to foster greater inclusivity and open up new opportunities for women. Yet, the message is clear: real change requires ongoing commitment, action and, as this latest research shows, a keener awareness of the everyday realities women continue to face in the world of business.