Bootstrap 4F Deploys Capital from Women Backing Women Fund

Bootstrap 4F, the manager behind the Women Backing Women Fund of Funds, has initiated its investment strategy, deploying initial capital from its substantial £130 million fund. This move marks the fund's active entry into the venture capital ecosystem following its first close in March 2026. The initial commitments target three distinct venture capital entities, signaling a focused approach to backing promising fund managers.

The inaugural investments are directed towards Evertrue Capital I LP, Seedcamp VII LP, and Seedcamp Nation II LP. These selections represent the first wave of what is anticipated to be a portfolio of 20 to 25 venture fund investments. The fund manager has noted significant interest, with over 90 funds expressing their intent to seek capital, underscoring the robust demand within the venture sector for specialized funding vehicles.

The Women Backing Women Fund of Funds, a strategic initiative designed to reshape capital allocation in the UK, is anchored by prominent institutional limited partners: Barclays, the British Business Bank, M&G Investments, and Nationwide. This collaborative backing provides a strong foundation for Bootstrap 4F's mission to foster greater diversity and performance within the venture capital industry.

Stephanie Heller Galantine, Managing Partner at Bootstrap 4F, highlighted the caliber of the initial recipients. "Evertrue, Seedcamp VII, and Seedcamp Nation II are each exceptional in their own right and show the depth and breadth of the opportunities we are seeing," she stated. "From high potential new names to established managers, we are linking commercial rigour and our gender mandate. Our focus is on high performance and the strong potential to deliver returns." This approach emphasizes a dual commitment to financial success and the fund's core mission.

The first allocation goes to Evertrue Capital I LP, a pre-seed fund exclusively managed and owned by women, founded by Yvonne Bajela. Bajela brings extensive experience from firms like LocalGlobe and Impact X Capital, with a notable track record including early-stage investments in companies such as Wise and Marshmallow. Her background also includes significant roles at Goldman Sachs and Mitsui, where she notably led the investment in Wise (then TransferWise) at a young age.

Further capital is committed to Seedcamp VII LP, Seedcamp's latest first-cheque seed fund. Seedcamp, a well-established player since 2007, boasts a portfolio including unicorns like Revolut and UiPath. The fund is co-led by Reshma Sohoni MBE, a recognized figure in the tech investment community, frequently appearing on lists such as the Forbes Midas List. Seedcamp's historical performance consistently places its vintages within the top deciles and quartiles tracked by PitchBook, demonstrating a strong history of identifying and nurturing successful startups.

The third commitment is to Seedcamp Nation II LP, a dedicated strategy focused on providing follow-on capital to Seedcamp's existing portfolio companies. This fund's investment committee is entirely comprised of women, including Hilary Howe and Reshma Sohoni. Analysis of its predecessor, Nation I, revealed that 80% of its portfolio companies feature female leadership at founder, C-suite, or board levels, significantly exceeding Bootstrap 4F's mandate requirements and highlighting the fund's success in supporting gender diversity in leadership.