According to new data from e-Residency, 89% of UK female entrepreneurs and SME owners plan to make at least one major business move this year. More than half (53%) are focused on expanding domestically, while 42% are targeting entirely new customer segments.

After years of underrepresentation among high-growth firms, this shift is critical. Female founders have long faced barriers to scale – limited access to resources, networks, capital and infrastructure. But the latest findings suggest the landscape is evolving.

Today, 56% of female founders are running either established or growing businesses. The strongest representation is among 25 to 44-year-olds – a generation in its entrepreneurial prime.

And the growth is far from localised. While London and the North West remain hotspots, signs of scale-up ambition are emerging nationwide. Just one in five women say they are still in the early stages of building.

The UK’s female-led ecosystem is no longer defined by startups alone. It’s also defined by scale.

A new mindset around scale

As female founders move into a new phase of growth, their thinking is evolving with it. Scaling isn’t just about doing more – it’s about doing it better, faster and with greater intention.

For many, that means re-evaluating how their business runs day to day. Systems, processes and roles that worked in the startup phase are being redesigned to support expansion. The focus is shifting from hustle to structure – from wearing every hat to building teams that can deliver at scale.

It’s a mindset rooted in long-term thinking. Growth is no longer about survival or short wins. It’s about creating businesses that are resilient, repeatable and built to last.

Support is shifting with ambition

As female founders aim higher, their support needs are evolving. From market positioning and pricing strategy, to hiring, compliance and operational design, the challenges of scaling are often complex, layered and unfamiliar.

Funding is one part of that puzzle. So is having the right guidance to grow well.

In 2023, just 2% of venture capital went to all-female teams, according to the British Business Bank. Rising operational costs, increased competition and shifting consumer behaviours are also shaping how founders grow.

But increasingly, investment alone isn’t what founders are prioritising. 77% of women entrepreneurs now say that strategic input is more valuable than capital.

They’re seeking support that’s more embedded and ongoing. They want trusted relationships with advisors who understand their sector, stage and ambition. They want access to networks that open doors – and insights that help them avoid costly missteps.

Skills, tools and the resourcing gap

As scale becomes the goal, the skills required are becoming sharper. Growth demands capability across every part of the business – and knowing where to focus when resources are limited.

Half of female founders cite marketing and brand positioning as their top skills priority, recognising the importance in standing out in crowded markets. Close behind are digital capabilities and financial literacy, which are non-negotiable in an economy shaped by automation, AI, and data-driven decision making.

But again, ambition alone doesn’t guarantee access. Only 16% of respondents are currently hiring for both strategic and operational roles – a sign that many founders are struggling between where they want to go, and what they can realistically deliver.

Budgets under pressure and talent in short supply are pushing founders to rethink how they build – focusing on flexible resourcing, smarter systems and partnerships that deliver more than just capital.

For many, that means getting creative with what they already have. Founders are tapping into fractional expertise, peer networks and founder communities to fill critical knowledge gaps. They’re using tools to streamline workflows, automating where they can and prioritising hires that unlock broader capability.

Redefining entrepreneurship in real time

As women-led businesses scale, they’re doing more than generating growth. They are reshaping expectations – across industries, sectors and boardrooms.

These founders are challenging outdated assumptions about who gets to lead – and who gets to grow. They are building inclusive cultures, unlocking innovation and acting as visible role models in sectors historically dominated by men.

2025 could be a breakthrough year for female founders in the UK.

With the intent, capability and appetite to scale, women entrepreneurs are stepping into a new chapter. And now, it’s time for the ecosystem around them to evolve too.