Blue Earth Summit

At Blue Earth, we’ve always believed that building a better future means backing a diverse group of innovators. That’s why we’re especially proud to share the latest data from our BE100 applications, which show a clear step forward in female representation.

A Stronger Pipeline of Female Founders

This year, 34% of BE100 applicants are female-led companies, almost double the industry average of ~15–20% in the UK and Europe. It’s also a clear increase on last year’s figure of 28%, marking tangible progress in building a more inclusive pipeline of founders tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

How 2024 Paved the Way

Looking back at 2024:

• Female founders made up ~28% of applicants overall.

• That ratio carried through into the Top 100 (27.7%) and the 30 finalists (25.8%).

• Crucially, at the Grand Finale, 3 of the 6 winning companies were female-founded, including Urban Chain, the Scale winner.

This visibility at the top of the competition sent a clear message: female founders are not only participating, but winning.

Momentum in 2025

Fast-forward to this year, and the uplift in female-led applications suggests that message has landed. With over a third of applicants female-led, BE100 is outperforming the broader market and proving the power of intentional outreach and ecosystem partnerships in shaping a more balanced founder pipeline.

Why This Matters

Diversity isn’t just good for representation, it’s good for business. Research shows that:

• Female-founded companies generate twice as much revenue per dollar invested compared to male-founded companies (BCG).

• Mixed-gender founding teams outperform all-male teams by ~63% when measuring company valuations at exit (First Round Capital).

• Companies with diverse leadership are more innovative and profitable, with a stronger ability to spot new opportunities and adapt to change (McKinsey).

At BE100, we’re committed to not just reflecting the market, but shifting it. The progress we’ve seen from 2024 to 2025 is evidence that with the right platform, female founders step forward, compete, and thrive.