Scaling for Success Season 2, Ep 2: Elizabeth Pirrie, CEO of AccelerateHER, and Nicki Thomson-Berwick, COO of Investing Women Angels

To mark International Women’s Day 2026, our Invested Podcast is launching Season 2 of Scaling for Success, a special mini-series dedicated for women led businesses across the UK.From grassroots initiatives to national investment networks, we are spotlighting those who are opening doors for the next generation of women-led businesses.In episode two, we’re joined by Elizabeth Pirrie and Nicki Thomson‑Berwick, two leading voices in Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Elizabeth, CEO of AccelerateHER and a board member at Investing Women Angels, is a passionate advocate for female‑led businesses across the UK, championing greater visibility, opportunities, and investment for women founders. Nicki, COO at Investing Women Angels and an angel investor herself, works closely with start‑ups and scale‑ups on product commercialisation and preparing for investment and acquisition. They reflect on their unique journeys and the shared mission behind two of Scotland’s most influential organisations supporting women in entrepreneurship and investment. They reveal the barriers women still face in accessing early capital, why traditional pitching narratives often disadvantage female founders, and how collaborative, relationship driven programmes can transform both readiness and understanding.Filled with stories of remarkable founders, innovative funding routes, this conversation highlights the momentum building across Scotland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the structural shifts still needed to unlock its full economic potential.From founder behaviours to the investor questions that deserve more airtime, we discuss the people, networks, and pivotal moments that have shaped their careers, and share how they drive meaningful change as leaders.Whether you’re a founder, investor, or simply curious about the future of inclusive entrepreneurship, this episode offers honesty, energy, and powerful inspiration for International Women’s Day.Before you go, don’t forget to follow or subscribe to our podcast and if you want to hear more from some of our inspirational investees at the helm of some of the UK’s fastest growing companies, head over to mavencp.com.