Introducing Obu: Closing the Gender Investment Gap
A new online angel investing platform called Obu is launching in the UK with the goal of closing the gender investment gap. This platform aims to increase the number of female investors and connect more female-founded businesses to capital. With women currently making up just 14% of angel investors in the UK, Obu’s goal is to raise this number to 30% by 2030.
Creating an Equal, Progressive, and Innovative Ecosystem
Obu will connect eligible female-founded businesses to women angels and allies who share co-founders Sarah King and Claire Dunn’s mission of fostering a more equal, progressive, and innovative startup ecosystem. The platform has been designed with women angels in mind, from the customer journey to the language used and the guidance provided. King and Dunn believe they are building a new table and welcome eligible investors who recognize the need for change.
Education and Support for Angel Investors
Obu will provide education and support for nascent angel investors through a collective, connecting them to female-founded businesses in various sectors where they can offer both funding and expertise. The platform will focus on companies in fintech, AI, edtech, femtech, food and drink, and health and beauty sectors seeking up to £250,000.
Addressing Inequalities in Investment
In 2021, less than 2p in every £1 went to all-female founding teams, and they received just 6% of VC funding. Black female founders faced even greater disparities, receiving a meager 0.02% of VC funding over the last decade. Obu aims to create a pathway for eligible women from all ethnic backgrounds, regions, and classes to invest and create positive economic futures for themselves, their families, and communities. The platform is open to all eligible investors who share in the mission of closing the gender investment gap.
