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SFC's Approach for More Gender Equality

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The case study published in the Investing in Women Code Annual Report 2023

For more information about the report, please visit the British Business Bank website.

SFC Capital invests in startups from their very first funding round and across a broad range of sectors including life science, health technology, and climate technologies.

In 2020, SFC Capital became one of the first signatories of the Investing in Women Code and announced their intention to invest in at least 50% of women-led companies from their new cohorts. In 2021, SFC Capital developed a new approach to increase the number of investments in women-led companies by implementing a scoring methodology that standardises their decision-making process. The goal of the system was to evaluate and identify promising startups across a wide range of sectors, from life science to consumer products. The scoring methodology considers over 30 factors, such as the founders’ skills and experience, the market size and potential, and the business’ traction. This approach reduces any unconscious bias when evaluating the founding teams, and concentrates on objective facts: the founders’ competence, how well they complement each other, their personality types and their history of working together.

SFC Capital also gives additional weight to companies showing diversity among founders, including whether there is at least one woman in the founding team. This additional criterion ensures that SFC Capital actively seeks out diverse and inclusive teams with different perspectives and experiences, as these companies are more likely to better understand their target audience, be more innovative and reach a wider market.

Since adopting this methodology, SFC Capital has seen a 25% rise in the number of women-led companies in their recent cohorts, and they are now close to achieving their target of investing in at least 50% of women-led companies. SFC Capital is proud to have invested in some of the most promising women-led technology companies in the UK such as Mevitae, Humanising Autonomy, Emperia, Novai, or Hormona.

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SFC Capital Ltd (SFC) is an appointed representative of SFC Capital Partners Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) in the United Kingdom (FRN 736284). This website is intended for professional investors only; any reproduction of this information, in whole, or part, is prohibited. The content is for information purposes only and should not be used or considered as an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities.

Investment in early-stage companies involves risks such as illiquidity, lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution. Investment in SEIS/EIS eligible companies should be considered as part of a diversified portfolio. The availability of tax relief depends on individual circumstances and may change in the future. The availability of tax relief depends on the company invested in maintaining its SEIS/EIS qualifying status. There is no assurance that the investment objectives of any investment opportunity will be achieved or that the strategies and methods described herein will be successful. The investment products cited herein may place capital at risk and therefore investors may not get back the full amount invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and the value of an investment may go down as well as up. Investors may not get back the full amount invested. Companies’ pitches for investment are not offers to the public and investments can only be made by members of SFC Capital. SFC Capital takes no responsibility for this information or for any recommendations or opinions made by the companies. Neither SFC Capital nor any of its employees provide any financial or tax advice in relation to the investments and investors are recommended to seek independent financial and tax advice before committing. This website is not directed at or intended for publication or distribution to any person (natural or legal) in any jurisdiction where doing so would result in contravention of any applicable laws or regulations. No warranties or representations of any kind are expressed or implied herein. This material is confidential and is the property of SFC Capital.

© SFC Capital - 2024