32% of applicants for SME funding are female founders
365 Finance, a leading SME lender, reports that during the last 12 months 32% of applicants for its revenue-based funding have been women – which is a significant increase on previous years.
This news comes as 365 Finance launches the latest edition of the company’s award-winning #SheLeads campaign, which was also announced last week as highly commended at The Social Media Marketing Awards, in the ‘Social Media Initiative for Good Award 2025’ category.
Celebrating the resilience and ambition of female entrepreneurs, the #SheLeads campaign for this Autumn/Winter features interviews with five inspirational and innovative business leaders, with their candid video interviews available to watch now, as they share their journeys and all the challenges they have overcome.
The #SheLeads campaign is designed to raise awareness of equality relating to SME funding and is backed by data and findings taken from the prestigious Beauhurst – J.P. Morgan: Women-Powered Businesses 2024 report and the Gender Index Report 2025. Together, these studies reveal both the progress entrepreneurial women are making and the barriers that remain in high-growth business.
Women-powered businesses are a driving force in the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape. Since 2021, the number of women-led or majority female-owned businesses has grown from 18.3% to 29.7%, with over 14,500 high-growth companies shaping industries from technology to food and drink.
Despite this progress, challenges persist. The Gender Index Report 2025 highlights that female-led businesses face stark funding gaps with only 14.2% securing debt finance in 2024, compared with 61.1% of male-led firms. However, female-led companies achieved 24.6% turnover growth in 2024, outpacing male-led peers at 21.6%. With better access to capital, mentorship and targeted support, these businesses could unlock long-term inclusive growth and transform the UK economy.
Hannah Hunt, digital marketing manager at 365 Finance, said, “#SheLeads is one of the most meaningful things I work on each year because it gives a platform to women whose stories might otherwise go untold.
“With less than 2% of venture capital funding going to women, visibility and representation are more important than ever. These founders are reshaping industries, challenging expectations and showing what is possible when women are given the space and support to lead. Every story we share has the power to inspire the next generation of founders and remind us that there is no single path to building something meaningful.
“We are proud, at 365 Finance, to be continually supporting and improving our outreach to female entrepreneurs, with the number of women-led businesses applying for our revenue-based finance having increased from 26% in May 2024 to just over 32% during the last 12 months.”
Funding of £10,000 to £500,000 is available to all qualifying SMEs across the UK and can be approved within 24 hours, with 365 Finance also providing revenue-based funding to businesses in Ireland.