Barclays Female Founder Accelerator 2023 member
Streeva

Streeva is an award-winning fintech company, on a mission to automate tax for individuals, organisations and governments.
Streeva is a strong team of 8 and is working closely with the UK tax authority, HMRC, and other organisations to provide tax automation services across whole sectors. Streeva’s initial product Swiftaid is the first universal automated Gift Aid solution for UK charities. Swiftaid now has over 5.2 million registered users with the aim to significantly reduce the £564 million that goes unclaimed every year.
Why did you apply for the Female Founder Accelerator?
I find the connections and community support within accelerators as a huge value.
Do you think there's a need for programmes like this for Female Founders?
Absolutely, Female founders are undervalued in the start-up world, so programmes like this help give women the tools and the support of a community to continue on the dream of being a successful entrepreneur.
Why did you want to start your business?
The frustration of having to do so much administration and the stress associated with HMRC tax affairs when owning you're own business.
What are you looking to get out of this programme?
Connections and a new community of like-minded female founders.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Integration with JustGiving.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Investment round not materialising due to the investment fund dissolving, forcing us to let go of 5 team members in a single day.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
My brother and I had small businesses before we co-founded Streeva so we had some business knowledge prior to starting. Being part of Techstars Female Founders First and Tech Nation has helped quite a lot as you have people in the same position and beyond to bounce off ideas and take from their learnings.
What drives you to make your business a success?
I've always been driven by challenges. We've created something that didn't previously exist or compare to anything, so the challenge that comes with that and with a non-payments background drives me to succeed. Proving that it doesn't matter where you're from or what your background is; if you have the vision and the drive, then you can achieve anything. I truly believe this so I will continue to persevere to make Streeva a success.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
Never give up! For years we were continuously meeting na-sayers, "do something else", "that won't work", and "you'll never get funding for that". Initially, because both my brother and I didn't have any payments/fintech background, it did make us question ourselves, but our passion and belief in our solution pushed us passed that, so now when someone is negative towards us, it only fuels us to keep going and prove than wrong.
Like I said above, it doesn't matter where you're from or what your background is; if you have the vision and the drive, then you can achieve anything.