A manager at a North East investment fund has reported that female-led businesses are accessing debt finance at nearly twice the national average rate. NEL Fund Managers, active in the region, say that while national discussions on female entrepreneurship often focus on venture capital—where less than 2 pence of every pound invested goes to female-founded companies—the landscape appears different in terms of debt financing.

National statistics reveal that female-led firms are equally likely as their male counterparts to secure loans once they apply. However, only about one in seven loan applications come from female entrepreneurs, indicating that the primary obstacle lies in participation rather than approval rates.

Data from NEL Fund Managers illustrates a comparatively more encouraging trend in the North East. Between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, female-led businesses accounted for 25% of all investments completed by the fund, nearly doubling the national benchmark. Approximately one in four business plans received by NEL during this period originated from female-led companies.

Susan Snowdon, an investment executive at NEL, noted that the typical narrative around female entrepreneurship often centers on venture capital figures, which do not provide a comprehensive picture. She emphasized that female entrepreneurs in the North East are successfully securing debt finance and leveraging it to expand operations, create employment opportunities, and reinvest in their businesses.

These findings suggest that increased engagement with debt financing by female founders could play a significant role in fostering growth and economic development within the region.