A cohort of 13 women entrepreneurs have showcased their innovative start-ups at a pitching event as a pre-incubation programme staged by incubator SETsquared Bristol reached its finale.
Now in its second year, the NatWest-funded Enterprising Women 2.0 programme helps women-formed businesses access world-class business support, including coaching, mentoring, pitch training and workshops, from the acclaimed University of Bristol-backed SETsquared incubator. 
The pitching event, pictured, hosted at Bristol innovation hub Engine Shed and publicly livestreamed, celebrated the cohort’s progression towards commercialisation.
The Enterprising women 2.0 businesses aim to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems, including food waste and microfibre pollution, stroke rehabilitation and online safety.
Each pitch included an audience call-out to engage, collaborate or invest.
Enterprising Women 2.0 member Aisha Thomas, pictured below, who is director of a social mobility business Representation Matters, said: “Starting a business on your own isn’t easy, women in business do not always get the accolades they deserve.
“Having a network of phenomenal women made my start-up experience durable. SETsquared provided a foundation of knowledge and access to outstanding experts, which has helped propel my business and take me to the next level.” 
Previous participants in Enterprising Women, Amber Probyn and Hazel McShane, returned to talk about their brainchild PEEQUAL, the UK’s first women urinal. Since taking part in the programme, the pair have raised £250,000 in their first funding round.
Other Enterprising Women members have gone on to join SETsquared Bristol’s incubation programme, including Grand Bequest, an AI-driven platform to redevelop vacant buildings, biotech firm Ferryx and Gritty Talent, which connects the best under represented talent with decision-makers in the TV industry.
NatWest National Women in Business manager Cheryl Gourlay said: “We know that building back better following the pandemic needed to include practical interventions that make a real difference to the success of our business community.
“The Enterprising Women programme has made a huge difference to the women who took part, giving them the tools and confidence to achieve their ambitions.” 
SETsquared Bristol director Marty Reid added: “We’re dedicated to championing diverse start-ups to make sure they get the opportunities and success they deserve.
“Enterprising Women has enabled us to extend our services beyond our usual focus of tech incubation, to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into commercially viable business propositions. “It’s been a privilege to work with such a great group of founders and we can’t wait to see where they take their ventures next.”
Enterprising Women is one of SETsquared Bristol’s initiatives to support diverse founders. Some 45% of the tech incubator’s companies are now led by women and its aims are to continue to improve representation and investment experiences for diverse start-ups.
To watch the Enterprising Women Showcase recording, click here. To find out more about the companies click here
Photos by Hattie Ellis
