A bold vision for inclusive entrepreneurship has just earned top honours. EqualReach has won the prestigious JPMorgan Chase Female Founders Rise programme, securing first place among thirty exceptional finalists with an outstanding score of 9.6 out of 10.
After advancing through several competitive rounds, EqualReach was named one of three winners in this year’s cohort—earning a cash prize, bespoke mentorship, and valuable brand exposure across JPMorgan Chase’s extensive professional network.
The Context of the Win: A Triumph Among Growth Cohorts
EqualReach's success was achieved through the highly competitive Founders Forward Perfect Pitch programme, the core component of the Female Founders Rise initiative. Launched by JPMorgan Chase in 2023 and delivered in partnership with Newable, the programme aims to help women-owned businesses in London hone their pitching skills and investment strategies.
The programme's intensity is highlighted by its structure: it runs over two cohorts—one for early-stage and one for growth businesses ready to raise investment (the cohort EqualReach participated in). EqualReach competed among an outstanding total of 30 women entrepreneurs who participated in the programme that year, all seeking to build business goals and secure funding.
The win is a direct reflection of how successfully Founder and CEO, Giselle Gonzales, utilised the programme’s comprehensive resources, which included:
- One-to-one mentoring with investment experts from Newable and over 200 JPMorgan Chase employees who volunteered their expertise.
- Practical workshops to refine pitch decks and overcome common barriers faced by women in seeking funding.
- The opportunity to present to JPMorgan Chase executives for constructive feedback.
This intensive support enabled Giselle to craft and deliver the clear, strategic pitch that earned EqualReach the top ranking.
Led by Founder and CEO, Giselle Gonzales
This victory was spearheaded by Giselle Gonzales, whose powerful pitch and strategic clarity stood out among leading women entrepreneurs across the UK.
“We are deeply honoured to have won the Female Founders Rise programme,” said Giselle Gonzales. “This recognition validates our team’s commitment to building an inclusive business model that connects global companies with skilled refugee talent. With JPMorgan Chase’s mentorship and platform, we’re ready to accelerate our next phase of growth.”
Why This First-Place Win Matters
EqualReach’s top ranking cements its position as a leader in the inclusive business landscape. By pairing businesses with talented freelance refugee teams, EqualReach delivers high-quality outcomes for clients while creating dignified work for displaced professionals. The programme's emphasis on Confidence Building ensures winners are investment-ready and comfortable as "conversation starters" with investors.
This win reflects both commercial credibility and social innovation, reinforcing the trust of existing partners including Amazon, UNHCR, Santander, and the Jobtech Alliance. Scoring first place with 9.6/10 demonstrates clear investor confidence in EqualReach’s scalable, impact-driven model.
“EqualReach is proof that inclusion and performance can thrive together,” added Gonzales. “We’re redefining what global talent looks like—and where opportunity can come from.”
What’s Next
With the prize and mentorship secured, EqualReach is focused on amplifying its impact through three strategic priorities:
- Accelerating client growth by connecting more mission-aligned businesses to global refugee talent.
- Enhancing delivery capacity through investments in systems and tools that support distributed teams.
- Strengthening partnerships with refugee delivery partners to deepen long-term, sustainable inclusion.
This win marks not just a moment of recognition, but a launchpad for EqualReach’s next chapter—scaling inclusive growth and redefining how companies deliver impact through business.
Ready to see how EqualReach delivers both high-quality work and measurable social impact? See case studies on our website: https://www.equalreach.io/services
