In this episode of The Purposeful Strategist, Belden Menkus is joined by Sarah Turner, co-founder and CEO of Angel Academe, the UK’s most active network of female angel investors. Sarah has long been focused on getting more women investing and channeling capital into female-founded tech startups. Now, she’s taken a bold next step—launching the UK’s first EIS fund for female founders.

Reflecting on the realities of today’s economic climate and the barriers to inclusive investment, Sarah shares how Angel Academe is helping women overcome red tape, build confidence, and invest collectively in breakthrough innovation. She also explores what it will take to move beyond talk and achieve real behaviour change in the investment ecosystem.

This conversation covers:

·       Why launching an EIS fund could make early-stage investment more accessible for investors.

·       The challenges of a tougher economic environment—and the opportunities it still presents.

·       How a low-fee model and partnership with Syndicate Room lowers barriers for investors.

·       The importance of community and collective intelligence in due diligence.

·       Examples of innovation already backed, from fertility alternatives to motion capture tech.

·       Why building a pipeline of future women investors matters as much as funding founders.

·       The gap between data showing female founders’ impact and the action investors are taking.

Angel Academe: https://www.angelacademe.com/

MenKus & Associates: https://www.menkus.com/