In collaboration with KPMG, the event was hosted at The Anchor Line in Glasgow by wealth management firm Evelyn Partners and executive search firm Livingston James. This edition of the event addressed a key challenge facing women who start and run their own businesses: gaining confidence in fundraising and alternative growth strategies. 

Alison Fitzsimons, head of entrepreneurs business development at Evelyn Partners, said: “With International Women’s Day fresh in the memory, we’re delighted to have marked it with a great event that our guests left feeling inspired and with business insights they can take away and act on.

“We know that securing funding is no easy task for all entrepreneurs, but especially for female founders: less than 2% of VC funding, and only 3% of equity capital overall in UK, goes to women-led businesses. Can we as a business community in Scotland do more to support those women who want to fundraise, and equally, those who may have decided this is not the route for them?

“One of the women at the table shared her recent experience after securing equity funding for the business she and her husband co-founded. A number of press outlets covered the story, but cut her from the accompanying photograph and used only the quote from her husband.”

Allan Cannon, co-founder and CEO of space technology scale-up Krucial, added: “What an incredible group of people all passionate about solving this gender gap in the funding system. As father of a young girl, I’d love to see a more equitable funding landscape by the time she is an adult.

“This event highlighted several areas that can help increase the odds of women growing a successful business – the importance of strong networks, finding champions and having the right team around you. Encouraging more diversity at Board level is also key so there are role models to aspire to.”

Sophie Randles of Livingston James said: “There is power in facilitating a forum such as this, where business influencers and advisors can come together to not only learn but to be held accountable for driving positive actions for women in business, and in particular those setting up and growing businesses.

“So many leaders in attendance this evening were motivated to drive this change for their daughters – let’s make it personal so people can relate and we can see the difference!”

No Diversity, No Deal was founded by Alison Fitzsimons, Sophie Randles and Jane Stewart, who is an Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland, to inspire female business founders and leaders, and encourage more women to take up the challenges of entrepreneurship. The latest No Diversity, No Deal series also benefits from the support of KPMG in Scotland.

Ms Fitzsimons added: “Each event has a theme but there are perennial issues that we address.

“How do we help the next generation of female founders navigate the challenges of today’s business world, and help them to access resources, unlock potential, and realise ambitions? How do we give women the confidence to make the right calls for their businesses, put their decisions into action and grow a dynamic business?

“We try to answer questions like this by creating a supportive community at No Diversity, No Deal, where entrepreneurs can share their experiences in an environment that sparks innovation, growth, and diversity of thought.”