International Women's Day: Female Founders on Investment & Growth

Join us at Avenue HQ as we collaborate with the British Business Bank for an inspiring and insight‑packed International Women’s Day panel — designed specifically for founders who are building, scaling, and raising investment.

This session brings together four exceptional female leaders who have grown high‑potential businesses:

✨ Selina Kirkham — Founder, BoardNorth & RentAbout

✨ Kate Longworth (Heath) — Founder, Gaia Learning

✨ Nicola Jones — Founder, POWDR

✨ Kayleigh Baccino Davies - Co-Founder, Pasta Cosa

These founders aren’t talking theory — they’re sharing the real, practical, unfiltered experiences of what it takes to scale a business with ambition. Expect conversation on:

• Raising investment
• Equity vs. debt — how they approached each, and what they’d do differently
• Building credibility with investors
• Sustaining growth while navigating barriers faced by female founders
• What the North West ecosystem gets right — and where the gaps still are

Whether you're preparing for your first raise, planning a growth round, or scaling into new markets, this session will give you valuable insight, connections, and the opportunity to learn directly from founders who've been there — and are still growing fast.

Perfect for:

Ambitious founders, scaling businesses, leaders working toward investment, and anyone serious about building a high‑growth venture.

Come for the conversation — stay for the community.

You’ll also have the chance to meet fellow founders, ecosystem partners and investors connected to the Eagle Lab and British Business Bank network. We will be using a colour code system to make sure you get in front of the right people.

Light brunch snacks and hot drinks provided

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Barclays Eagle Lab - Newcastle