Women’s workwear retailer The Fold raises £1.7 million in crowdfund with majority female investors

Luxury women’s workwear brand, The Fold, has raised £1.7 million in a crowdfunding initiative, following a campaign to encourage more women to invest.

Two thirds of backers who participated were female, nearly three times higher than investment platform Crowdcube’s average, and nearly half of them were first time investors. 

The Fold’s crowdfund was led by Active Partners, who have invested in brands such as Leon, Soho House, Finisterre, Rapha and Secret Cinema.

Polly McMaster, Co-Founder at The Fold, says: “It’s been amazing to watch the number of women, many of them first time investors, participate in our crowdfund. It is so important that women become a force of the investment community.”

“Not only will it influence the types of founders who are getting funded and the types of products launching, but also who is being served by them.”

Janice Cargo, Partner at Active Partners and Board Director at The Fold, comments: “When we first met Polly in 2015, it was clear very quickly that she was building something special, and she brought the magic and drive to create something truly defining.”

“The success of the crowdfunding and the number of women who have invested is a testament to the exceptional brand and community Polly has built, one which empowers women and champions ambition.”

“As investors, we have a responsibility to back diverse teams to not only tackle inequality in the funding “ecosystem but unlock the huge untapped potential for innovation and economic growth. We’re thrilled to continue supporting Polly and the team in this exciting next stage of The Fold’s growth.”