An elite group of European female entrepreneurs are coming together this week in London to connect with experts, potential investors and other experienced entrepreneurs. All have the ambition to build high growth businesses and go for funding rounds in the coming months. The programme is designed by Astia, the premier accelerator of women-led companies based in Silicon Valley, which expanded to Europe last year.

We spoke with Sharon Vosmek, CEO of Astia.

Why an 'investor readiness' programme that targets female entrepreneurs?
Astia exists because still today women-led start-ups account for only 10% of the UK venture-backed deals. We believe that the opportunity to increase this percentage exists. The programme itself is no different than what men would benefit from as well. It is simply, that we specifically target companies with women on the founding team because they are under represented in the market.

What is the biggest gain that companies get from this programme?
Astia clients gain access to a global network of investors, serial entrepreneurs, corporations, and value-ad service providers - men and women - who are committed to ensuring the success of the Astia clients. We focus on three fundamentals for the clients we serve 1) access to capital; 2) ensuring high growth; 3) development of the leadership of the women on the founding team.

Do you see these entrepreneurs change their behaviour during this week?
Astia entrepreneurs identify the Astia programme, network, and resources as transformational for their businesses and for themselves as business leaders. They arrive as exceptional entrepreneurs leading technology companies - they depart as exceptional entrepreneurs armed with an understanding of the current state of investment and a global network at the ready to help them address the challenges of growing a high growth business.

Are there any differences you see between US entrepreneurs (who follow the New York or Silicon Valley programme) and European entrepreneurs, who follow the London programme?
I personally find that high growth entrepreneurs are quite similar around the globe. They are passionate individuals seeking to change the world. Where they differ is how they articulate this and how they access capital to grow.

There is a lot of debate about VC's or Angels not looking enough for female entrepreneurs to invest in or just not investing in women-led business.  What is your opinion in this?
I disagree with the premise that investors should look for women. They should be looking for the best innovation and the best investment opportunity. As Bill Campbell, Chairman of Intuit has said, "find the best person, the best person may be a woman, it may take longer."

Are women trying hard enough to get funding for their business?
No. I want to see more qualified women leading high growth companies. Period. (You know who you are...)