A NEW investment-readiness initiative is providing female-led startups in Perth the skills, confidence, and connections to secure funding and grow their businesses.
EmpowerHER, a free, eight-week program by Plus Eight equips women entrepreneurs with the tools needed to scale their ventures and secure investors.
Funded by the WA government’s New Industries Fund: X-TEND WA program, EmpowerHER focuses on skill development, investor connections, and mentorship.
From refining business models and building pitch decks, to understanding legal structures, and developing personal resilience, the program is tailored to address real challenges women face when building and funding a business.
• Tedology founder Louise Mansell.
Small share
Data from Cut Through Venture’s State of Australian Startup Funding report from 2024 found female-founded teams received a disproportionately small share of the $4 billion invested in startups.
Teams with at least one woman secured 15 per cent of total capital, while all-female teams received only 2 per cent, signifying ongoing barriers to accessing later-stage funding where larger investment amounts are typically raised.
Programs such as EmpowerHER aim to close this gender equity gap in venture capital funding.
Among the women who have benefited from the program is Safe Call Up founder Kristy Gallagher, who joined EmpowerHER to help her understanding of the business and funding landscape.
Drawing from her experience at the Department of Child Protection and “witnessing domestic violence everyday”, Ms Gallagher is developing a covert app for smartphones with real-time assistance, alarms, and evidence storage, designed to discreetly assist users.
“It simplified where I needed to go…I didn’t just learn from the mentors, I learned from the other women too,” Ms Gallagher said of EmpowerHER.
She won the program’s final pitch, securing a spot in the Plus Eight Accelerator Bootcamp on April 10 and 11.
“It’s changed my business perspective 180 degrees; I’ve made life-changing connections.”
Ms Gallagher said being surrounded by other female founders was a highlight of EmpowerHER, helping her feel part of a supportive and ambitious network of “women just supporting women” through the same challenges.
Tedology founder Louise Mansell is a clinical psychologist using evidence-based strategies, and innovative tools to create teddy bears that support children’s emotional wellbeing.
Dr Mansell applied for EmpowerHER after discovering it through the LinkedIn community.
Through the eight-week program, she found not only inspiration but real momentum for her business.
“I’ve gained contacts, customers, and friends I never would have met without EmpowerHER,” Dr Mansell said.
She describes the Perth startup ecosystem as “remarkable”, a place where women with big ideas are encouraged to share, grow, and be supported through programs such as EmpowerHER.
One of Dr Mansell’s biggest takeaways from the program was building confidence and learning to trust herself.
“It really pushed me to question my inner voice, and as a woman, it was about having the confidence to put myself out there and back my ideas” she said.
by OLIVIA SAMSON