Women-led businesses are continuing to grow across Australia, with around 35% of small enterprises in 2025 now owned or headed by women. Yet, despite this progress, female entrepreneurs still face steep challenges when it comes to accessing finance.
Figures from 2024 show that just 2% of the total capital raised in Australia went to all-female founded teams. Meanwhile, only 15% of investments were directed to startups with at least one woman in the founding team. The numbers reveal a clear funding gap that continues to hold back women in business.
Non-bank lender Liberty has positioned itself as a key player in tackling this issue, offering flexible business loan solutions aimed at supporting entrepreneurs from a wide variety of backgrounds.
“At Liberty, we take a free-thinking approach to lending, working closely with business owners to find solutions that fit their unique needs,” explained Communications Manager, Bernadine Pantarotto.
Liberty says its business loans can support ventures at different stages, whether starting out, scaling operations, or investing in new technology. With flexible repayment options and tailored guidance, the lender aims to give businesses the tools to succeed.
Unlike traditional banks, Liberty assesses each borrower based on individual circumstances rather than rigid requirements. That includes working with those who may have limited documentation or fluctuating income, making finance more accessible for women-led businesses.
With nearly three decades in the sector, the company continues to broaden its offerings, which include low-doc loan products and a business line of credit.
“Businesses are as diverse as the people behind them,” Ms Pantarotto said. “That’s why our business loan solutions are designed to support enterprises of all sizes and industries.”
Beyond business finance, Liberty’s services also extend to personal ambitions, such as property investment, buying a vehicle, or planning a holiday.
“Our free-thinking approach has seen us help over 900,000 borrowers to reach their goals and we’re ready to help many more,” Ms Pantarotto added.
About Liberty
As one of Australia’s leading non-bank lenders, Liberty offers innovative solutions to support customers with greater choice. For nearly 30 years, this free-thinking approach to loan solutions has seen more than 900,000 customers across a wide range of home, car, business and personal loans, as well as SMSF lending and insurance. Liberty remains the only non-bank lender with an investment-grade credit rating offering custom and prime solutions to help more people get financial.
