Blossom & Jasmine has been selected by Virgin Startup as one of its Empower100 companies for 2024, which means founder Gintare Ferrario will receive investment and expert guidance from a Virgin StartUp mentor to help the business thrive and grow.
Empower100 is an eight-week accelerator programme which helps founders scale their business and enter the next stage of growth through a series of workshops, networking, training and peer-to-peer support. Part-funded by the UK government through The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, it’s designed specifically for black, Asian and minority ethnic founders, women founders, and founders with a disability.
A recent report by JP Morgan Private Bank found that investment in female-owned businesses has tripled over the past decade, and that the proportion of fast-growing firms powered by women grew to nearly 30% in 2024, from about 18% in 2021. However, the average amount of ‘angel’ investment (where investors provide initial funds in exchange for ownership equity in the company) in all-female teams is still 50% lower than the amount invested in mixed gender and all male teams.
Gintare said: “It’s an honour to be chosen from hundreds of applicants as an Empower100 company. I have set my sights for Blossom & Jasmine’s future very high based on our strong principles and values and the tireless work of my amazing team. Virgin StartUp have worked with thousands of founders to help to their businesses scale new heights and I’m looking