Radia Accelerator, a programme created to assist ladies with operational tech expertise construct and advance their firms, is now welcoming purposes for its 2024 cohort.
The accelerator programme, created by AlbionVC and Speedinvest, will run from September to November 2024 and provide feminine co-founders entry to intensive networks, and knowledge-sharing alternatives, and supply sensible know-how by way of a mixture of in-person half-day workshops and digital classes.
Of the 450 unicorns in Europe, solely 38 have a feminine co-founder and solely 11 are in SaaS. Radia’s mission is to speed up the expansion journeys of startups with ladies co-founders, contributing to a extra inclusive trade panorama.
Ed Lascelles, an AlbionVC accomplice, mentioned the goals of the accelerator programme: “Following a profitable launch in 2023, AlbionVC and SpeedInvest have partnered for the return of the Radia Accelerator programme.
“By offering the mandatory instruments, networks, and assist, we’re dedicated to bridging the gender hole in SaaS and fostering the subsequent technology of feminine tech leaders. By way of the programme and ongoing partnership, we’re taking part in a task in empowering the subsequent technology of girls within the tech sector and I’m delighted to be a part of the programme.”
Deepali Nangia, accomplice at Speedinvest, additionally added: “By way of the Radia programme, we’re making a supportive ecosystem the place feminine founders can thrive, innovate, and lead their startups to success. Our partnership with AlbionVC is devoted to breaking down obstacles and unlocking alternatives for ladies within the SaaS sector.”
Supporting feminine founders in tech
Radia Accelerator additionally boasts important assist from the tech group, with new programme companions this yr together with Snowflake, Aviva, Creandum and Seedcamp.
Ryan Lieber, startup program supervisor EMEA at Snowflake, commented: “Snowflake is thrilled to accomplice with AlbionVC and its Radia Accelerator to champion female-founded startups that may play an important position in remodeling the tech panorama. By way of the Radia Accelerator programme, our objective is to assist set up a robust basis on which the founders can construct a strong and scalable enterprise after which proceed to be a accomplice to them as they mature as an organisation.”
The inaugural programme, held in spring 2023 acquired widespread assist from the European investor and founder ecosystem. Contributors included GPs from Notion Capital, Balderton Capital, Daybreak Capital, Join Ventures, and notable entrepreneurs similar to Natasha Ratanshi-Stein of Surfboard, Nina Mohanty of BloomMoney, Anh-Tho Chuong of Lago, and Simone Maini of Elliptic.
The 2023 programme efficiently helped create 9 early-stage firms, with suggestions from the cohort of 25 ladies from various ethnic {and professional} backgrounds, averaging a robust 8.2 ranking.
Aleezay Malik, co-founder & CEO of healthtech insurance coverage startup Armour Labs, described the expertise as “one of the vital helpful on my entrepreneurial journey.”
Vaishnavi Khullar, co-founder of Rehuman, additionally stated: “The programme helped me join the dots as a founder, broadened my community, and boosted my confidence and self-belief.”
Radia is a pro-bono initiative with no fairness taken. In 2023 monetary assist was supplied by AWS, HSBC Innovation Banking, in addition to Smoosmith.
