Mentoring scheme targets Scotland's most promising female-led ventures

The AccelerateHER programme has teamed up with Barclays Ventures to offer specialist mentoring to some of the country’s most promising female-led ventures.

Jackie Waring, chief executive of Investing Women. Picture: Sandy Young

Angel investors from Scotland’s only all-female angel group, Investing Women Angels, will deliver the one-to-one digital mentoring sessions in what is thought to be the first initiative of its kind in the UK.

Some 100 female founders will access the opportunity through Barclays’ network of Eagle Labs and its financial technology – fintech – platform when the first sessions kick off later this month.

The banking giant is also increasing its commitment to the AccelerateHER Awards, confirming its position as lead sponsor for the 2021 programme, which will launch later this year.

Jackie Waring, chief executive of Investing Women, said: “This new sponsorship agreement takes our longstanding relationship with Barclays Ventures to a new level.

“We love working with their team with whom we share many important values. We are also excited about extending the partnership with Barclays to include its Eagle Labs and Rise network where we will work closely with innovative young companies across the UK.”

Sonal Lakhani, head of programmes and strategic initiatives at Barclays Ventures, added: “We’re delighted to strengthen our relationship with AccelerateHER and Investing Women to help female-founded businesses grow and scale.

“Through Barclays Eagle Labs and Rise, we’re dedicated to supporting the UK’s entrepreneurial network and help start-up founders hone their skills to take their businesses to the next level.”

Waring was also the UK’s first advisory board member to the Global Banking Alliance for Women, based in Washington DC.

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