AccelerateHER was launched in 2016 and co-founded by Brent Hoberman, co-creator of Founders Forum, a private network of the world’s leading digital and technology entrepreneurs, along with accelerateHER’s Co-CEOs Poppy Gaye and Laura Stebbing.

Supported by Microsoft, Intel Capital and Henkel X, the group’s aim is to address under-representation of women in the technology industry. It operates on a global scale, including in the US, Europe and the Middle East. accelerateHER has hosted a number of high profile international events, collaborating with Founders Forum and its partners to engage leaders, both women and men, to support women-founded, fast-growth businesses.

The new joint arrangement will enable Scottish-based tech companies involved in Investing Women’s AccelerateHER programme access to this international network.

Following today’s launch of this new partnership, a number of Scottish-based 2019 AccelerateHER Awards finalists will travel to New York and Boston next week where they will be introduced to top tech entrepreneurs and investors. The companies heading to the US include SnapDragon, Criton, Game Doctor, Biotangents and CogniHealth.

Jackie Waring, founder & CEO of Investing Women, said: “We’re delighted to announce this exciting partnership which provides a fantastic opportunity to expand our awards platform AccelerateHER on a global scale. Accessing an international network of globally renowned entrepreneurs will be hugely beneficial to our Scottish AccelerateHER female founders. This will continue to grow the prominent global connections we have established through Investing Women.”

Laura Stebbing, Co-CEO of accelerateHER, said: “We too are delighted at the common purpose shared between ourselves and Investing Women and the opportunities this new partnership will bring to the incredible women founders in Scotland. Boston and New York are hubs of entrepreneurship where accelerateHER and Founders Forum have established formidable networks which include key figures within the technology sector.

“These are also centres where women founders continue to break down barriers - pushing company valuations and investment to new heights. We can’t wait to connect these women founders of fast-growth businesses in Scotland to investors, fellow entrepreneurs and CEOs who will help them on their international growth journeys.”