Introducing Obu: Closing the Gender Investment Gap
A new online angel investing platform, Obu, is set to launch in the UK with a mission to close the gender investment gap. The platform aims to increase the number of female investors and help female-founded businesses secure much-needed capital.
Increasing Female Participation in Angel Investing
Currently, only 14 per cent of angel investors in the UK are women. Obu aims to increase this figure to 30 per cent by 2030 by connecting eligible female-founded businesses to women and allies who share the vision of co-founders Sarah King and Claire Dunn in creating a more equal, progressive, and innovative startup ecosystem.
Disrupting and Demystifying Investment
The Obu Platform and Collective are designed with women angels in mind, focusing on the customer journey, presentation of information, and language used. King and Dunn hope to disrupt and demystify investment by building a new table and welcoming eligible women and allies who recognize the need for change.
Connecting Businesses to Angels
Obu aims to educate and support new angel investors, connecting them to female-founded businesses requiring both funding and expertise. The platform focuses on businesses in fintech, AI, edtech, femtech, food and drink, and health and beauty sectors seeking up to £250,000.
Addressing Inequalities in Investment
In 2022, all-female founding teams received less than 2p in every £1 and only 6 per cent of VC funding. Black female founders faced even greater inequalities, receiving just 0.02 per cent of VC funding in the past decade. Obu provides a pathway for eligible women from all ethnic backgrounds, regions, and classes to invest, creating positive economic futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.
