By sector
Funding levels vary significantly by sector.
Investors tend to prioritise sectors with faster scalability and clear market demand, leading to disparities in how innovation is financed across different industres.
71%
B2B
21%
B2C
B2B female-founded companies secure the majority of venture capital investment
venture capital raised by B2B female-founded companies
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71%
venture capital raised by B2B2C female-founded companies
21%
venture capital raised by B2C female-founded companies
8%
8%
B2B2C
Europe 2024
Data source: Dealroom
Access to funding is believed to be the key inhibitor of innovation for female founders across all sectors
What do you believe are the greatest inhibitors of innovation in your sector?
51%
3%
of female founders across all sectors believe that access to funding is key for driving innovation within their sectors
of female founders across all sectors believe that access to funding is not important for driving innovation within their sectors
Source: Female Innovation Index Survey 2025
'The future of the space sector over the next 10 years is both uncertain and full of potential. I compare it to the early days of computing when few could have imagined a world where everyone owned a personal computer. We are at a similar turning point in space innovation.
Our technology is modular and scalable. and our mission is to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in the space industry.'
Sara Correyero Plaza
Ienai Space, Spain
Raised a €3.9m Seed round in June
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Health, cybersecurity, and deep tech are the key sectors ripe for AI adoption, according to investors
What sectors pose the highest opportunity to benefit from emerging technologies over the next 12 months?
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69%
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45%
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40%
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34%
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20%
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19%
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19%
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12%
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5%
angel investors
VC investors
Health
Deeptech
Data & analytics
Cybersecurity
Robotics
Fintech
Sustainability
Education
Food
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56%
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86%
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22%
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69%
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6%
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23%
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22%
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3%
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7%
Source: Female Innovation Index Survey 2025
'I believe manufacturing, logistics and procurement will benefit the most from AI in the next 12 months. Currently, these sectors are ripe for innovation as we are seeing a huge shortage of labour, increasing geopolitical tension leading to chaotic supply chains and increasing cost for consumers.'
Sri Ayangar
Investor
Lakestar
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Health is both the most popular and the most funded sector for female entrepreneurs
Total venture capital invested (€M) in female-founded companies by sector vs. the number of female-founded companies in a given sector
Europe, 2024
Data source: Dealroom
'In the LegalTech space, we’re tackling outdated processes for certifying and notarising documents. The future of this field will likely see further advancements in third-party verification and document content validation. AI and emerging technologies like blockchain will enhance these processes, but human involvement will remain necessary for the foreseeable future.'
Aida Lutaj
Legitify, Ireland
Raised a €1.5m Seed round in March
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27%
Heath
13%
Fintech
Health, fintech, food and enterprise software are the most funded sectors of female-founded companies
venture capital raised by female-founded companies in the health sector
27%
venture capital raised by female-founded companies in the fintech sector
13%
venture capital raised by enterprise softwarefemale-founded companies
12%
12%
Enterprise software
Europe 2024
venture capital raised by female-founded companies in the food sector
8%
8%
Food
Data source: Dealroom
Coming up
By location
What does the funding landscape for female entrepreneurs look like across different countries in Europe? How do funding opportunities for female innovators vary from country to country?
Music, wellness and beauty, and robotics experience the highest growth in funding
Change in total venture capital into female-founded companies invested (%) per sector, 2023 vs 2024
Europe, 2023 vs 2024
Music
Wellness & Beauty
Robotics
Food
Manufacturing
equipment
Transport
Legal
Dating
Gaming
Media
Event tech
Semicond.
Data source: Dealroom
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-67%
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-76%
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83%
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-84%
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-85%
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-87%
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+1337%
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+414%
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+212%
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+212%
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+80%
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+63%