Applications are now open for the 2026 cohort of Athena Labs, a growth and funding programme designed specifically to support women-led businesses as they scale.
Based in the North East of England, Athena Labs focuses on equipping female founders with the practical tools, investor insight and strategic clarity needed to accelerate sustainable growth. The programme has become an important part of the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, helping women founders strengthen their funding readiness and long-term commercial positioning.
Supporting Women Through Growth and Investment Preparation
The 12-week programme provides structured support across key areas including:
- Investment readiness and funding strategy
- Business model refinement
- Growth planning and commercial positioning
- Investor engagement and pitch preparation
- Peer learning and founder network development
Delivered in collaboration with regional innovation partners, Athena Labs combines expert-led sessions with mentoring and direct exposure to investors — creating a supportive but commercially focused environment.
Building Confidence and Visibility
One of the programme’s core strengths is its emphasis on confidence-building and visibility. Founders complete the programme with the opportunity to present at a Demo Day, showcasing their businesses to investors and ecosystem leaders.
The success of previous cohorts has demonstrated the depth of entrepreneurial talent among women founders across sectors including health, wellbeing, technology and social impact. By providing structured preparation and exposure, Athena Labs helps bridge the gap between strong businesses and growth capital.
Strengthening the Regional Ecosystem
Initiatives like Athena Labs reflect growing recognition of the importance of regionally embedded support for women entrepreneurs. By focusing on both skills development and investment access, the programme contributes to a more inclusive and resilient startup ecosystem.
As applications open for 2026, women founders seeking structured support and investor engagement are encouraged to explore the opportunity.
At Invest in Women’s Hub, we see programmes like Athena Labs as vital in strengthening funding pathways and creating long-term growth opportunities for women-led businesses across the UK.
Source:
https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2026/02/18/athena-labs-opens-founder-applications