Originally written by Anna Jordan on Small Business
In the run-up to International Women’s Day 2019, the government-backed Rose Review found that only one in three UK entrepreneurs were female. It also highlighted that access to loans and other capital was a major barrier to business success for women.
One year on, the Progress Report rounds up initiatives that have been introduced. Key advances include an Investing in Women Code and an increase in investment vehicles to promote more funding going to women entrepreneurs.
But when it comes to securing a loan, it’s much the same for any small business owner: shop around, be honest with your provider and look beyond the headline figures. It does help your chances if your business is in a certain industry like the tech sector or if you’re aiming to make a positive impact.
The business loans listed below aren’t exclusively for women – though some providers include them in pages titled ‘business loans for women’, which is misleading.
They may not have specific offerings, but these companies have shown at least some interest in encouraging women entrepreneurs. We’ve gone for providers that have pro-women initiatives like female entrepreneur campaigns, dedicated funds and focused social media coverage.
High street banks
Some

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