Impulse4Women
Within the Fintech Investor Network and Ecosystem (FINE) project, funded by Horizon Europe, Impulse4Women has led the work on strengthening Europe’s investment ecosystem through greater inclusivity, responsibility, and attractiveness. As leader of Work Package 4, Impulse4Women has guided the development of research and policy recommendations designed to open access to investment participation and create a more diverse and resilient financial environment across Europe.
The work began with a detailed analysis of what makes regions and sectors attractive to investors. In collaboration with development agencies, financial experts, and regulatory bodies, Impulse4Women explored how taxation systems, legal frameworks, and investment incentives affect both domestic and international investor engagement. The findings showed that while incentives and tax benefits are vital, long-term investor confidence depends even more on stability, transparency, and collaboration. Ecosystems that promote clear regulatory processes, predictable policies, and strong cross-border partnerships are best positioned to attract sustained investment.
At the same time, the research revealed a clear imbalance in who gets to invest. Across Europe, fewer than ten percent of venture capital decision-makers are women, and young or minority investors are often absent from institutional data. These disparities are not only social issues, they restrict innovation capacity and economic growth. Studies cited in the FINE analysis confirm that diverse investment teams consistently outperform less diverse ones, achieving stronger returns and more innovative decision-making.
To address these gaps, Impulse4Women developed the report Policy Recommendations on Inclusivity in Investment. The report identifies the structural and cultural barriers that exclude new investors, including high financial entry requirements, limited access to professional networks, and persistent social biases. It also highlights systemic factors, such as unequal access to childcare and caregiving responsibilities, which continue to limit women’s participation in investment activities.
Building on these insights, Impulse4Women proposed a series of practical and evidence-based policy measures. Among them are co-investment and risk-sharing mechanisms to support first-time investors, the expansion of financial education and mentorship programmes, and the creation of tax and funding incentives that reward inclusive practices. Impulse4Women also led initiatives that connect experienced investors with emerging ones, supporting knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration within the FINE ecosystem.
Another significant contribution has been the identification of best practices from across Europe. France’s Sista Charter, which brings together hundreds of venture capital firms committed to tracking and improving diversity, has already delivered measurable progress in women-led investment. In the Netherlands, Code-V and the New Narrative Lab have empowered women and minority investors through education and peer networks. Ireland’s NDRC accelerator has embedded diversity into its investment and mentorship model, offering a pathway for underrepresented founders and investors to engage in the early-stage ecosystem. These examples were consolidated within FINE’s policy framework as models for replication and adaptation across the continent.
Impulse4Women has also contributed to defining how responsible fintech investment can align with Europe’s environmental and social goals. By supporting the development of screening methodologies based on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, Impulse4Women helped ensure that the next generation of fintech investments not only drive economic performance but also promote ethical and sustainable growth.
Together, these efforts reflect FINE’s broader vision: to create an investment ecosystem that is open, inclusive, and globally competitive. The work led by Impulse4Women demonstrates that inclusivity and investor attractiveness are mutually reinforcing. By expanding who can participate in investment, Europe can unlock new sources of creativity, improve decision-making, and strengthen its capacity for innovation.
As FINE moves toward completion, the work carried out under Impulse4Women’s leadership provides a clear roadmap for policymakers and investors alike. It shows that building a more inclusive financial future is not only a matter of fairness, it is a strategy for economic success. Through thoughtful policy, education, and collaboration, Europe can ensure that its investment landscape truly reflects the diversity, ambition, and talent of its people.