Murray Edwards Enterprising Women

Enterprising Women is a flagship initiative of Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, building the next generation of female founders, investors, and non-executive directors. 

We empower women to lead, invest, and turn ideas into impact - connecting talent, capital, and leadership within Cambridge’s world leading innovation ecosystem.

We support women at every stage of their professional journey: from students and researchers exploring entrepreneurship, to founders scaling high-growth ventures, to senior leaders stepping into board roles and first time investment. Through practical learning, tailored coaching, and a powerful community, Enterprising Women unlocks confidence, capability, and opportunity, driving inclusive economic and social impact.

Our Vision

Enterprising Women exists to make Murray Edwards College a global hub for women operating in early-stage ventures - as founders, investors, and non-executive directors. Cambridge is the ideal location to achieve this ambition. With 5,000+ knowledge-intensive businesses, £24 billion in annual revenues, and 24 unicorn companies born here, Cambridge is the UK’s most successful enterprise cluster, providing a unique environment for innovation, growth, and leadership.

Our Programmes

Enterprising Women currently delivers five core programmes, supporting women 
across the entrepreneurial and investment lifecycle. All programmes are designed to be accessible, collaborative, and rooted in real world experience.

She Starts

• For: Women exploring entrepreneurship and potential venture ideas
• What it does: Offers workshops, talks, and mentoring led by senior executives
• Impact: Builds confidence, foundational skills, and clarity to take the first steps 
  in entrepreneurship

She Soars

• For: Early-stage women led startups founded by Cambridge postgraduates, 
  researchers, and alumnae from the past two years
• What it does: Provides one-to-one mentoring, expert led sessions, and 
  introductions to investors and non-executive directors
• Impact: Accelerates startup growth, with a focus on life sciences ventures

She Scales

• For: Female founders linked to the University of Cambridge building scaleups
• What it does: Offers workshops, one-to-one mentoring, and a peer 
  community, focusing on Seed and Series A growth
• Impact: Equips ventures to scale successfully through knowledge, networks, 
  and support

She Invests

• For: Current or aspiring female angel investors and early-stage venture 
  capitalists
• What it does: Offers practical workshops, mentoring, and networking 
  opportunities in early-stage investment
• Impact: Builds confidence, knowledge, and connections to invest effectively in 
  high-potential ventures

She Steers

• For: Women ready to step into their first NED role or strengthen effectiveness 
  as existing NEDs
• What it does: Provides practical guidance on board responsibilities, along 
  with mentoring and network access to secure your first (or next) NED role
• Impact: Prepares women to lead with influence and impact at the board level
   

Our programmes are delivered in partnership with leading industry and innovation partners, including: