Katerina Mouliadou

Katerina Mouliadou, founder of LIGNOO, is an engineer and innovation leader with over 15 years experience driving technological advancement in manufacturing. Her background in Product Design, a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, and experience with multinational corporations and UK SMEs, paved the way for her entrepreneurial journey, inspired by motherhood.

Misleading sustainability claims by many brands often leave consumers confused and misinformed. LIGNOO – the first brand dedicated to creating genuinely sustainable water bottles for kids – addresses this issue by enabling transparent data communication, focusing on comprehensive product life cycle assessment from raw materials to disposal. Using biobased materials and UK supply chains, the company ensures credibility while reducing environmental impact through holistic design decisions.

“Everything I create is a product I would feel safe for my child to use, one that supports the society and economy they are growing in, and ensures the least possible impact on the planet they will inherit,” says Katerina.

She earned the Innovate UK Begin Award in 2023 for her contributions to advancing sustainability in manufacturing. She also made history as the first female engineer hired by a 100-year-old British medical company, inspiring future generations.

“I feel incredibly proud and humbled to be recognised,” says Katerina of winning the Women in Innovation Award. Through the programme, she aims to gain exposure for LIGNOO while developing connections with like-minded innovators committed to sustainability.

“The biggest barrier is often our own perception of ourselves,” Katerina reflects. “It was only when I realised that my daughter might one day feel the same way, that I knew I couldn’t teach her what I didn’t practice. I decided to just ‘go for it.'”

Her advice to aspiring women innovators? “Trust your skills and embrace the journey, even when it feels uncertain. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back – innovation is not about being perfect, it’s about moving forward, learning, and continuously evolving.”

For more information on Women in Innovation

Find out more about the Women in Innovation Award and other support available across the Innovate UK ecosystem on the Women in Innovation programme page.