Shaping the future: Meet the Future Leaders Fellowship trailblazers of 2025
Innovate UK is celebrating the next generation of research and innovation leaders. Thirteen new business fellows are joining the Future Leaders Fellowships programme to develop breakthrough solutions – from gene therapies and sustainable housing to carbon storage and AI health diagnostics.
About the Future Leaders Fellowships
Innovation thrives when diverse voices lead the way. The UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF) programme supports talented individuals across the UK to shape the future of research and innovation. Designed to be flexible, inclusive, and impactful, the programme empowers future leaders to tackle global challenges, drive economic growth and deliver meaningful change.
Since its inception in 2018, the programme has supported over 600 exceptional researchers and innovators. Fellows receive tailored funding and support to grow their ideas, build their ventures, and drive change across the UK and beyond.
The fellows receive at least four years of funding of between £100,000 and £3 million, to pursue an ambitious programme of innovation, with the option to renew for a further three years, at an agreed capped funding amount. Whilst also accessing tailored opportunities and resources to develop their career as a future leader in their field.
A new wave of innovation leaders
Delivered by Innovate UK and funded by UKRI, the business strand of the FLF continues to attract ambitious talent. In the latest round, 102 applicants from business and non-academic sectors applied. Of those, 98 progressed to receive assessor review, 30 were interviewed, and 13 were awarded fellowships.
Entrepreneurial talent at the forefront
This year’s 13 business fellows are hosted across a diverse range of organisations, including 11 SMEs, 1 Catapult, and 1 charity. This strong SME representation highlights the program’s focus on entrepreneurial talent, and the role smaller, high-growth organisations play in driving innovation. By supporting founders and leaders within these settings, Innovate UK is helping to create the conditions for future business growth and long-term impact across the UK innovation system.
Diverse voices driving change
These 13 business fellows represent a wide range of sectors, regions and lived experiences:
- 54% are women
- 31% have caring responsibilities
- 30.8% are from an ethnic minority background
- 15.4% identify as LGBQ+
The awardees were also regionally diverse, with winners spanning Scotland, London, the Northeast, Yorkshire and The Humber, the East of England and more.
Meet the 2025 business fellows
These business fellows are leading transformative projects across diverse sectors, from advancing AI-driven diagnostics and quantum technologies to inclusive housing, digital storytelling and climate solutions. Their work not only accelerates innovation but also creates sustainable change with real world impact, shaping the future of UK industries and society.
Below, we introduce the 13 innovators driving change through the FLF programme, highlighting the people and ideas at the heart of this year’s awards.
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- Christopher Dawes – Hynt Labs: Using scent and VR technology to enhance sleep, mental wellbeing, and immersive digital experiences.
- Mehak Mumtaz – Intelligent Lab on Fiber (iLoF): Transforming disease detection with AI-powered diagnostics that bring personalised, affordable healthcare closer to reality.
- Dr Pahini Pandya – Panakeia: Using AI to speed up cancer diagnostics, helping doctors make faster decisions and reduce lab delays.
- Dr Daniel Todd – Invenirex: Developing enzyme-free diagnostics using programmable DNA to detect disease with high sensitivity and global reach.
- Dr Emily Warner – Ikarovec: Improving eye disease treatment with next-generation gene therapies for fewer injections and better outcomes.
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- Nicola Black – AI Exploration Ltd: Enabling safer CO2 storage with real-time sensing that strengthens carbon pipeline infrastructure.
- Jonathan Eyre – University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre: Unlocking Industry 4.0 with data sharing tools that boost productivity and support net zero supply chains.
- Dr Jordi Ferrer Orri – Amphibio Ltd: Replacing toxic chemicals with safer, sustainable alternatives for use in textiles and electronics.
- Dr Samuel Patterson – Impact Solutions: Speeding up how biodegradable materials are tested to help industries meet sustainability targets faster.
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- Bobby Brown – Lighthouse Arts and Training: Empowering young creatives through a national platform that uses digital storytelling to promote inclusive leadership.
- Florence Concepcion – Aquark Technologies: Scaling compact quantum tech to reduce costs and power next generation UK manufacturing and medical innovation.
- Dr Carla Resendiz-Villaseñor – Norscot Joinery: Designing sustainable homes that meet the needs of multigenerational, independent, and inclusive living.
- Aditya Varna Iyer – Allos: Applying AI to improve prognosis in chronic conditions while exploring quantum foundations for future healthcare innovation.
Real world impact from past fellows
Over 600 fellowships have been awarded between rounds 1-8. Previous awardees have gone on to raise significant investment, expand their teams, enter international markets, and launch life-changing innovations.
For example, through the FLF award, Césaré’s M. Cejas, co-founder of MFX, has expanded his team of specialists, secured new clients and partners, and accelerated R&D for his game changing Cyto Engine bioreactor and data platform.
Business fellow, Dr Izabela Jurewicz, Chief Science Officer at Advanced Material Development, is improving vaccine safety and cutting waste by developing a novel visual vaccine vial monitor that could save millions, reduce cold-chain reliance, and make vaccines more accessible globally.
These examples reflect the breadth and depth of the FLF programme’s impact, extending beyond academic excellence to fuel economic growth, social progress, and scalable innovation. By backing individuals with proven ambition and leadership potential, the programme helps fellows access vital funding, networks, and collaborations, empowering them to lead in their fields and drive meaningful change.
Looking to the future
As the latest cohort embarks on their journey, we can’t wait to see how they build on this momentum. Scaling new ventures, advancing UK innovation, and creating inclusive, lasting impact.
Want to get involved?
Discover how you could benefit from the Future Leaders Fellowships programme and apply now to Round 10, currently open for applications.
Related Opportunities
Future Leaders Fellowships: Round 10, business and non-academic
Opens: 23/06/2025 Closes: 05/11/2025
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £110m for ambitious research and innovation projects in any sector, and tailored support to develop careers for future leaders.