Join Maaike Doyer, Managing Partner of Epic Angels, for a clear and honest exploration of what funding really looks like for women in business, and how to make the right choices for your growth.

Many founders spend years chasing funding that was never right for them. This session doesn't tell you wat to do - it gives you the full picture so you can choose your own path.

Maaike will help you map the main funding options available to women in business, with honest upsides, downsides, and best practices for each. The session focuses particularly on venture and angel capital, where Maaike has deep hands-on experience. She’ll share what investors are actually looking for, how to assess whether you’re ready, and how to approach the right people in a way that gets results.

This is a practical, no‑nonsense session designed to help you save time, avoid common pitfalls, and move forward with clarity.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

This one‑hour online session explores how to navigate funding pathways with confidence and realism. 

1. The main funding options available to women in business — including what each requires, offers, and the trade‑offs involved
2. When venture capital or angel investment is (and isn’t) the right path for your business
3. What investors are actually looking for when assessing opportunities
4. How to identify and connect with the right investors for your stage and goals
5. Practical approaches to making funding conversations more effective and outcome‑focused

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Clarity on your options: Understand the different funding pathways available and what they really mean for your business.
2. Know your readiness: Learn how to assess whether you're ready for VC or angel capital (and what to do if you're not), so you stop wasting time on doors that won't open.
3. Smarter investor approach: Best practices for finding the right investor and making an approach that lands.

This webinar is ideal for:

1. Women founders and business owners planning for growth
2. Early‑stage businesses exploring funding options
3. Founders considering VC or angel investment
4. Anyone wanting a clearer, more realistic view of the funding landscape

Maaike Doyer

Managing Partner, Epic Angels

Maaike Doyer is a seasoned finance executive and venture investor known for her practical, results‑driven approach to business growth. As Managing Partner of Epic Angels — one of the world’s largest female‑only investor networks backing startups across APAC and Latin America — she works closely with founders and investors to drive meaningful outcomes.

With a global background spanning Europe, Silicon Valley, Singapore, New York and Latin America, Maaike has trained investors in more than 40 countries and coached startups on raising capital. She also works as a fractional CFO, supporting businesses with financial strategy and growth.

Her experience includes roles in M&A at PwC and global CFO at Business Models Inc., and she is widely recognised for helping founders cut through complexity and turn ideas into commercially viable businesses.

Northstar Webinar Series Host – Fleur Madden

Brisbane’s Women in Business Champion

Fleur Madden is an award‑winning entrepreneur, CEO, Board Chair, and Brisbane’s Women in Business Champion, with more than 23 years’ experience founding, scaling, and exiting multiple businesses.

As CEO of The Ginsburg Firm, Fleur supports female founders to scale or exit their businesses, with a focus on increasing wealth creation for women. She has founded and exited several ventures including Freelancing Gems, The Red Republic, and Lulu and Lipstick.

Recognised as one of Brisbane’s Top 25 Business Women, Fleur is a committed advocate for gender equity and economic advancement, serving as Chairwoman of 4Voices and contributing to a range of boards and initiatives supporting women.

Her personal motto: Don’t play small.