Female entrepreneurs struggling to secure finance are being targeted by a new £30 million investment fund.
Developed by StarGate Capital Management, the 'Trapezia' online initiative offers women-led firms financial capital, access to new markets and business mentoring.
The scheme is aimed at female entrepreneurs who find it hard to raise money for business ventures through more traditional means. Many complain they are put at an unfair disadvantage, particularly by venture capitalists.
Despite running 700,000 firms and contributing £130 billion to the economy, female owners account for only 15% of the UK's small businesses.
Gita Patel, Trapezia fund manager, said: "I passionately believe that good entrepreneurial opportunities should not go unfunded. If gender made no difference, it would cease to be an issue.
"However, there are many women influenced businesses that represent a strong investment opportunities that are currently being under-served by conventional sources of funding.
"Though Trapezia I want to mobilize women investors so that their 'pound' gains visibility in backing high growth companies where women make an influencing contribution."
The scheme encourages private investors to get involved by putting the minimum investment at £10,000. Tax relief is also offered through the Enterprise Investment Scheme.
The services offered by Trapezia, run in association with Bank of Scotland's Women in Business Unit, include the expert guidance of an advisory panel.
Members include hairdressing entrepreneur Denise McAdam and Elizabeth Nelson, founder of market research firm Taylor Nelson Sofres.
For more information visit www.trapeziacapital.co.uk.
