Alex Lusty (Equity Gap) supports innovative and ambitious businesses

In the realm of investment decisions, a glaring gender disparity persists, contributing to alarmingly low equity investment in female-led businesses across the UK. According to the latest Beauhurst report, a mere 3.5% of equity investments found their way to female-led businesses in the first half of 2023. However, a concerted effort from both UK and devolved governments, coupled with initiatives dedicated to bolstering women in their quest for investment, promises a transformative shift.

A pivotal catalyst for change lies in the normalisation of women in leadership roles within C-suites, investment committees, and big funds. Notable figures, such as Alex Lusty, Head of Operations at Equity Gap, an Edinburgh-based angel investment syndicate renowned for its support of innovative and ambitious businesses, are leading the charge.

Alex brings a wealth of experience in financial services, operations, and governance to the Edinburgh based angel investment syndicate. What began as a part-time role overseeing the angel syndicate's journey through operational changes and FCA authorisation evolved into a key position within the Equity Gap, where she now spearheads operations and manages a portfolio of high-growth companies, including MI:RNA Ltd.

Alex is committed to offering equal investment opportunities to innovative entrepreneurs. Out of Equity Gap's broader portfolio of 50 companies, 15 are founded by women—an encouraging figure, but Alex acknowledges the ongoing work required to achieve true equality. Leveraging her innate belief in turning challenges into strengths, Alex sees adversity as a catalyst for building confidence, crucial for those embarking on entrepreneurial journeys.

Having spent the last few years working with entrepreneurs, Alex observes that women at the helm of early-stage, disruptive businesses often bring a collaborative approach that positively affects the company's performance and culture. The ability of women to adeptly juggle multiple priorities also works in their favour when venturing into entrepreneurship, Alex noted.

Alex believes that resilience, focus, motivation and careful planning skills are key to success. She also enforces that successful women leaders often have the ability to surround themselves with a highly skilled and gender-balanced team, allowing them to delegate with confidence, while consistently driving the business forward.

Eve Hanks’ hands on leadership style, coupled with a proprietary disruptive diagnostics technology and a highly talented team, seem to be a winning formula poised to propel the company on its growth journey. Equity Gap’s investment in MI:RNA Ltd reflects the confidence in the company's trajectory.

Photo courtesy of The Scotsman / Lisa Ferguson