FOUNDHERY LAUNCHED TO SUPPORT FOR FEMALE TECH FOUNDERS IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE

Published 21 May 2026 at 3:53pm

Female founders of tech businesses across South Yorkshire are set to benefit from dedicated support to help them start, grow and scale.

Today, Thursday 21^st May, TECH SY, a programme funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to grow the region’s tech ecosystem, has opened applications for a new initiative ‘The FoundHERy’.

The programme is designed specifically to support women founders and co-founders in tech across South Yorkshire.

Delivered by Barnsley Council, TECH SY has secured co-funding for The FoundHERy programme from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) through Barnsley’s status as the UK’s first Tech Town. Additional funding has been committed by the British Business Bank, headquartered in Sheffield.

The launch follows a report titled ‘South Yorkshire’s Women in Tech 2026’, published by TECH SY, highlighting both the strength and untapped potential of women-led businesses in the region. The report found that:

• The UK could unlock up to £310 billion in economic growth if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men. (Female Founder Rise Report)

• Businesses in South Yorkshire with a known female founder have an estimated value of £198m, up from £34.8m in 2020, with an average £6m valuation per business. More than male-only founded businesses average valuation of £3.5m.

• Businesses with a known female founder in South Yorkshire raised £13.1m in investment in 2025.

• Since 2014, around 10% of announced investments went to female-founded companies in South Yorkshire. All-male founding teams received 80% of fundraising in the same period.

FoundHERy is a pilot programme aimed at female tech founders at start-up, early growth and scaling stages. The programme comprises an eight-week intensive support period, a curated mission to London Tech Week, one to one support, group accountability calls, bespoke support to address a core challenge, connectivity with investors and a final pitch event with investors.

The programme is free to the founder and is led by TECH SY. It is funded and supported by SYMCA, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the British Business Bank.

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “South Yorkshire has everything it takes to be one of the UK’s leading places for innovation - but we know we won’t reach our full potential unless everyone has the chance to succeed.

“Female founders across our region are already building brilliant tech businesses, but too often they don’t get the same access to investment, networks or opportunities as men. That’s not just unfair - it holds our whole economy back.

“The FoundHERy is about changing that dynamic. It’s about backing talented founders, opening doors, and making sure South Yorkshire is a place where anyone with a good idea and the drive to succeed can build a great business. That’s how we create good jobs, grow our economy, and build a stronger, more equal region for everyone.”

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Female founders are a powerful driver of growth, new jobs and businesses of the future – and programmes like The FoundHERy provide exactly the targeted support needed to unlock that potential.

“South Yorkshire is already home to some of the UK's most ambitious women in tech, and through our investment in Barnsley as a Tech Town, we’re making sure those [SG2] ideas get the backing they deserve.  

“When women are empowered to start and scale businesses, whole communities benefit - and that is central to this government's mission to kickstart growth across every part of the country.”

Tracey Johnson, Project Director for TECH SY, said: “South Yorkshire has a strong and growing community of women building ambitious tech businesses, but we know there is more we can do to support them to scale. The FoundHERy is a practical response to that challenge, providing targeted support, stronger networks and the confidence founders need at key moments in their journey.

“It also marks an important first step in a broader commitment to strengthen support for women in tech and investment across the region, helping to build a more inclusive and investable ecosystem where talent from South Yorkshire can thrive.”

Cat Smith, Director- Yorkshire & The Humber for the British Business Bank, said: “The British Business Bank recognises that South Yorkshire has a thriving community of women building ambitious businesses, but too often they don’t receive the investment and support they need to scale.

“The FounderHERy programme has been co-designed with the region’s female tech community to give women-led tech businesses in South Yorkshire tailored guidance, stronger networks and the confidence to take the next step.

“Just as importantly, it creates a supportive space where founders can learn from each other and build momentum together. There is exceptional talent across South Yorkshire, and we’re committed to helping more women-led businesses grow, succeed and be recognised.”