Lifted Project to host first Newcastle event

A national initiative is set to host its first Newcastle event to help women-led businesses secure investment and scale their ventures.

The Lifted Project, founded by Jordan Dargue, Helen Oldham and Zandra Moore MBE, will bring its Newcastle Board together on Tuesday, September 23 at Brewin Dolphin.

Speakers include Alex Longton, co-founder and managing director of Tiba Tempeh, who has raised over £1 million in equity funding, and Dr Tallie Bush, chief operating officer of Newcastle-based Circadacare, who has secured more than £2 million for AI-driven care solutions. 

Both will share their journeys through the funding process to support other entrepreneurs.

Backed by Lloyds and supported by the Government’s Cabinet Office, The Lifted Project was established in response to recommendations from the Women-Led High-Growth Enterprise Task Force. 

Its mission is to increase the flow of capital into high-growth women-led businesses by building strong regional ecosystems.

Chaired by Debra Leeves and vice-chaired by Nina Walton, the Newcastle Board brings together a diverse group of business leaders and experts.

Members include:

• Debra Leeves, chair
• Nina Walton, Transforming Brands and vice-chair
• Naomi Allen Seales, Northstar Ventures
• Hannah Wade, CPI
• Amy Wanless, Square One Law
• Estelle Blanks, Newcastle University
• Anupama Sethi, Sterling
• Joanne Lant, Lant Medical
• Shkun Chadda, Exited Founder
• Jo Clough, Lloyds Bank
• Chris Black, Brewin Dolphin
• Marie Whitehouse, NunaBio
• Marie Labus, AMLo Biosciences
• Jenny Halford, Durham University
• Michelle Jones, Kind Currency
• Emma Gaudern, EMG Solicitors

By establishing Growth Boards in five UK cities – Newcastle, Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham – the initiative is building networks that connect women entrepreneurs with funding, knowledge and support.

The Newcastle event will run from 12–2pm, offering practical insights into raising investment and scaling ventures while also creating opportunities for networking and partnership-building.

You can register for the event here.

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