UKEF Female Founder Export Accelerator - Leeds launch event

Women Beyond Borders: Take Your Business Global with UKEF Female Founder Export Accelerator in Partnership with Lifted Ventures

Are you a female founder running a revenue-generating business and ready to take the next step into international markets?

UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Lifted Ventures have created a first-of-its-kind collaboration to support women-led and women-owned businesses, from diverse backgrounds, who want to expand globally, scale faster and access the finance and tools needed to succeed beyond the UK.

The UKEF Female Founder Export Accelerator in Partnership with Lifted Ventures launches in January 2026 and is designed to equip female founders with the insight, support, and funding pathways they need to scale internationally with confidence.

The accelerator programme is a four-month programme, comprising both in person and virtual accelerated learning workshops along with mentoring and coaching.

To launch the UKEF Female Founder Export Accelerator and give founders the opportunity to find out if the programme is for them, we’re hosting two events this Autumn.

They are not generic networking events - these events are built for serious, ambitious female founders who are:

• Already exporting and want to accelerate international growth
• Preparing to expand into global markets within the next 12 - 24 months
• Curious about exporting but need clear, practical first steps and how to access the finance to do so

You’ll hear from women founders from diverse backgrounds who’ve successfully taken their businesses global, sharing honest insights on the opportunities and challenges.

We welcome ambitious women founders across every sector and community in the UK. We especially encourage participation from underrepresented groups who are driving innovation and growth.

Leeds - Tuesday 4 November, 12noon - 2pm, Bruntwood, Platform

Hosted by UKEF & Lifted Ventures (includes networking lunch)

To register for the Birmingham event on 11 November instead,

• Export-readiness insights from experts and female founders from diverse backgrounds, who’ve already gone global.
• Clear understanding of the full suite of UKEF support available to scale internationally.
• First look at the UKEF Female Founder Export Accelerator, including how to apply.
• A room full of like-minded female founders from diverse backgrounds, with the same ambition: going beyond UK borders.

• Welcome plenary - UKEF & Lifted Ventures
• Panel discussion - Export Breakthrough: Get Your Business Ready for Global Markets
• About the accelerator programme - Application criteria & opportunities
• Fireside Chat - hear from a female founder who has successfully scaled globally
• Networking & Lunch

Speakers and panellists to be announced.

Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited. If you register but are unable to attend, please cancel your registration through Eventbrite so we can offer your spot to someone else.

Consent and Data Use Acknowledgement

By registering for this event I am confirming that I am the founder or leader of the business and that I consent to the collection and processing of my personal data, including special category data (ethnicity), for the purpose of assessing eligibility for the Female Founder Export Accelerator.

I understand that this data will be processed by Lifted Ventures and shared with UK Export Finance (UKEF).

I have read and understood the privacy section and the privacy notices provided by both Lifted Ventures and UKEF, which explain how my data will be used, stored, and protected, and how I can exercise my rights.

About Lifted Ventures

Lifted Ventures is an early-stage investment connector based in Leeds that supports female founders and aims to increase investment in women-led businesses by connecting them with angel networks and co-investors. The organisation educates potential angel investors and works to create a more diverse and inclusive investment ecosystem across the UK, particularly in the North of England. Through its networks and programs, Lifted Ventures facilitates funding, fosters community and provides consultancy for startups.

About UK Export Finance

UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK's export credit agency and a ministerial government department. Its mission is to ensure that no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, doing that sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer. UKEF is the export credit agency for the whole of the UK, so it is important that the benefit of our support is available to all businesses – irrespective of location, size or ownership. We know that underserved businesses have huge potential, but face barriers to accessing finance. We are committed to increasing the impact we have on businesses from underserved groups and ensuring that all regions and nations of the UK can benefit from UKEF’s offer.

Host or Publisher Lifted Ventures