International Women’s Day 2026: Tech And Startups By Women Who Are Addressing Women’s Issues

International Women’s Day on 8 March highlights the ongoing disparities in financial and organizational support for women in the UK. Research indicates that women have founded 20% of UK businesses, yet female-only founding teams receive less than 2% of total UK venture capital funding.

According to the 2025 Gender Index Report, female-led companies experienced a turnover growth increase from 14.8% in 2023 to 24.6% in 2024, surpassing male-led firms. The funding gap is not only an issue of fairness but also represents a significant economic opportunity, estimated at £250 billion for the UK economy.

Access to funding remains a significant obstacle, with founders expressing the need for tailored financial products, increased representation in decision-making roles, and effective mentoring schemes. Current statistics show fewer than 6% of angel-funded businesses in the UK are female-led. Founders are leveraging data, local startup ecosystems, and mentorship programs to overcome these challenges.

In the tech sector, discussions extend into the realm of AI, with concerns about biases in AI models reflecting those in their development environments. Women remain underrepresented in governance, development, and investment decision-making processes, leading to products that may not fully represent diverse perspectives.

Real support for women in tech involves more than policy documents; it includes organizational practices that offer flexibility, professional development, and opportunities for leadership. Research indicates that a significant percentage of women entrepreneurs are considering strategic business moves, such as targeting new customer segments.

Mochi Zen is a weight loss application developed by RTT-certified hypnotherapist Paola Mendez. It combines RTT hypnotherapy audio sessions with AI-powered nutrition tracking to address emotional eating patterns.

Phobio is a technology company facilitating the trade-in or donation of used electronics, with initiatives supporting women's professional sports through community partnerships.

Visory Health is a women-led health tech platform offering a prescription discount card to provide affordable healthcare access, particularly benefiting women's healthcare needs.

Vylit, co-founded by Amrapali Gan and Kailey Magder, is a social platform aimed at empowering women creators to express themselves and monetize their work without stigma.

FLAIR is a leadership performance platform focusing on supporting senior female leaders by integrating health science and technology to enhance career progression.

Morado is a fintech platform supporting women entrepreneurs in Latin America's beauty industry by providing financial and business tools.

Pilou is a fintech platform co-founded by Patricia Florencia, aiming to close the gender wealth gap in Latin America by offering financial education and investment opportunities.

Founded by Dr. Louise Newson, Balance app provides hormone health support for women, including menopause management and personalized expert content.

Jude is a UK-based company specializing in bladder health and pelvic floor supplements, focusing on advancing women's health science.

Natural Cycles is a contraceptive and fertility tracking app founded by Dr. Elina Berglund Scherwitzl, offering non-hormonal health solutions.

Women4Technology is a leadership forum aiming to connect and empower women across the technology sector through strategic networking and development opportunities.

Hotpod Yoga is a fitness franchise with a predominantly female-led network, focusing on community-building and innovative yoga experiences.

Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.