Nationwide partners with Female Founders Rise to help unlock potential of women entrepreneurs
Nationwide announces it has become the sole banking partner of Female Founders Rise (FFR), one of the UK’s largest communities helping female entrepreneurs and non-binary founders build stronger, more profitable businesses.
The partnership aims to strengthen support for FFR’s 12,000-plus members as they grow and scale their businesses, bringing together Nationwide’s commitment to support businesses and local communities with FFR’s mission to support early-stage female founders, from idea through to their first million.
The Rise Report, one of the largest grassroots studies of female entrepreneurship in the UK, found that up to £310bn of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men.
The partnership comes ahead of Nationwide launching its own business banking proposition for small and medium-sized businesses next year. Currently, it operates business banking through its Virgin Money brand after it acquired the bank in 2024.
Hannah Bernard, director of Business Banking at Nationwide, said:“Female-led businesses make a vital contribution to the UK economy, driving growth, innovation and creating jobs but too many still face barriers. We’re proud to be working with Female Founders Rise to help female business owners build successful, sustainable organisations, while also strengthening our support for UK SMEs more broadly.”
Emmie Faust, founder of Female Founders Rise, said: “Our purpose is to help women build profitable, sustainable businesses and create financial freedom through entrepreneurship. Nationwide’s purpose-led approach and commitment to supporting long-term prosperity for its members and communities aligns closely to our values. That’s why this partnership is such a strong fit. We already support 12 thousand women, and with Nationwide as our banking partner we can help so many more across the UK.”
Founded in 2022, FFR supports female business founders to access funding support, expert-led events, practical programmes, networking and business opportunities across the UK. Founders can apply for an eight-week Fundraising Accelerator, join expert-led masterclasses and come together at FFR’s flagship conference, and events throughout the UK.