By Valeria Romano, DBA member and adviser to women property investors
Valeria Romano is a strategic renovation coach and active property investor with over a decade’s experience in UK real estate. She helps women property investors understand and succeed in flipping and renovation, turning complex decisions into structured, profitable actions. She’s also a member of Dorset Business Angels (DBA), where, working alongside the team, she sees a clear opportunity, not to change how investment decisions are made, but to increase the number and quality of investable opportunities coming through the pipeline, particularly from women entrepreneurs. This matters because angel investors back good deals; we always have and always will.
The Real Issue: It’s About Opportunity, Not Bias
DBA does not invest based on gender, background or labels. Investment decisions are made on the strength of the opportunity, the team, and potential returns. The challenge is simpler, and harder in that we don’t see enough strong, investment-ready female-led propositions coming forward.
Women often find it harder to discuss finances with men, especially in evaluative or high-stakes settings such as pitching and investment discussions. This can affect confidence, communication style and timing of engagement with investors. The issue is framed clearly as structural and behavioural, not a reflection of weaker businesses.
That’s not a criticism. It’s a gap in the ecosystem, one that investors, advisers, accelerators and founders can all help close. Recent OECD research revealed that across OECD countries, there are an estimated 24.8 million “missing” women entrepreneurs. In the UK specifically, male-led companies receive 62.9% of funding compared to just 18.2% for female-led companies, according to University of Glasgow research.
Why Angel Networks Still Matter
Angel networks like DBA sit at a crucial point in the startup journey:
- Early-stage capital
- Real-world commercial scrutiny
- Access to experience, not just money
Angels don’t “solve” entrepreneurship challenges, but they do back credible, scalable opportunities when they’re presented well. That’s why improving female readiness, confidence and exposure matters far more than changing investor behaviour.
Roderick Beer, Managing Director of UKBAA, stated that angel investors are often the first point of contact for women entrepreneurs seeking funding, particularly significant because women entrepreneurs are more likely to access funding through trust-based relationships, exactly the kind of connections that angel networks provide.
Where We Can Take Practical Action
Rather than debating statistics, DBA is focused on what we can actually do, particularly in partnership with organisations like Evolve, Barclays Eagles Labs and others in the Southwest ecosystem.
Areas we can positively influence female entrepreneurs:
- Pipeline development: Helping more women founders understand what angels look for, and when they’re ready to pitch.
- Champion Local Role Models: Profile successful women entrepreneurs in our portfolio and our network and challenge stereotypes about what founders look like. Celebrate success to raise awareness and demonstrate that women-led businesses represent smart investments, not charity cases.
- Investor education: Supporting more women to become angel investors, particularly in syndicates and decision-making roles, thus developing angel investor networks.
- Founder readiness: Provide practical guidance on pitching, financials, valuation and scale.
- Visibility & access: Making sure female founders know how to access angel networks and aren’t self-selecting out too early.
- Events that convert: Participate in targeted sessions around training, coaching and networking, with Evolve and partners that lead to real submissions and not just good conversations.
Commercial, Not Political
Supporting more women entrepreneurs isn’t about “doing the right thing”, it’s about not missing good deals and doing smart business.
Angel investing works best when:
- The pipeline is broad
- Opportunities are well-prepared
- Investors see more, not fewer, credible propositions
That’s good for founders, investors and strengthens the wider Dorset and Southwest economy and contributes to the UK’s competitiveness.
A Clear Call to Action
For female founders:
If you have a scalable business and are preparing for investment, engage early. Get your proposition match fit.
For advisers and ecosystem partners:
Help female founders understand what angels really look for, and when not to pitch yet.
For female investors:
If you’re curious about angel investing, particularly women considering their first investment, DBA offers a supportive, structured way in.
Dorset Business Angels welcomes great opportunities
The more investment-ready businesses that come forward, the stronger the ecosystem becomes.
Valeria Romano is available to support both entrepreneurs preparing for investment and individuals considering becoming angel investors.
To explore pitching to Dorset Business Angels or to learn more about becoming an investor, please contact: Valeria Romano (DBA member & business advisor)
Email: valeria.romano@dorsetbusinessangels.co.uk