Women entrepreneurs in Shoreditch are officially done waiting for a seat at the table. Instead, they lined up for the Elevator of Dreams and created their own. In a show of innovation, ambition, and unapologetic audacity, over 100 women founders pitched their business dreams to Sir Richard Branson himself — all ahead of International Women’s Day. Yes, Shoreditch just proved (again) why it’s the beating heart of London creativity.
Women Entrepreneurs in Shoreditch Are Rewriting the Rules
This wasn’t your standard morning in East London. Outside Virgin Hotels London, Shoreditch, a queue of more than 100 women braved the chill to pitch their game-changing business ideas. Why? To step into the Elevator of Dreams, a viral initiative from Sir Richard Branson and entrepreneur Simon Squibb, which gives aspiring founders exactly 60 seconds to make their best pitch to the camera.
Shoreditch might be known for its creative buzz, but this event brought something new to the streets: a surge of empowered women demanding the space they deserve in business. Although women still face staggering funding barriers — with fewer than 20% of UK companies led by women and just 2p of every £1 in venture capital funding going to female founders — this event made one thing crystal clear: women entrepreneurs in Shoreditch are here to stay.
Why Women Entrepreneurs in Shoreditch Are Owning Their Future
The brains behind this moment? Co-founders Nitika Vyas and Elisabeth Prager, the powerhouse duo behind Aila Money. Their mission is simple: help women take control of their finances so they can take over the world (or at least their corner of it). Their free app, Aila Money: Your Money PT, launched in January, offering women the tools to master their money and finally invest with confidence.
But Vyas and Prager didn’t just stop at building an app. With International Women’s Day on the horizon, they seized the moment to shine a spotlight on the barriers holding women back. And what better way to do that than with an all-women takeover of the Elevator of Dreams right in the middle of Shoreditch?
As Nitika Vyas put it, “This is exactly the action we wanted to see. A queue of women wrapped around the hotel, feeling confident and ready to pitch their dreams.”
The Future of Women Entrepreneurs in Shoreditch Starts Now
The best part? This wasn’t just a day of good vibes and Instagram stories. Every pitch from the Elevator of Dreams is now live on HelpBnk, a platform connecting founders with fellow entrepreneurs and investors. Plus, the top ten pitches will receive extra backing from Virgin StartUp, Virgin’s not-for-profit arm that has already funded over £80 million in start-up loans across the UK.
Beyond that, the Elevator of Dreams is making serious moves to close the gender funding gap with its 50/50 pledge, ensuring equal opportunities for female founders. This isn’t lip service. It’s real change — and Shoreditch is leading the charge.
Diana Greenhalgh from Virgin StartUp summed it up best: “This is exactly what International Women’s Day should be about.” And honestly, we couldn’t agree more.
Why Shoreditch Is the Place for Women Entrepreneurs
Shoreditch has always been the playground for boundary-pushing creatives and rule-breaking startups. So it’s no surprise that women entrepreneurs in Shoreditch are finding their stage here. Whether it’s launching fintech apps, breaking down financial taboos, or queuing up to pitch to Richard Branson, East London is showing the rest of the city how it’s done.
If you missed this year’s queue, don’t worry. The movement is only just getting started. From now on, the future of entrepreneurship — and Shoreditch’s legacy — belongs to the women who dare to dream audaciously and pitch fearlessly.
So grab your best idea, your boldest outfit, and prepare to join the next wave. Shoreditch is waiting.
