Accelerate your company’s growth through innovation
Innovate UK Women in Innovation was launched in 2016 to encourage more women to apply to Innovate UK funding opportunities. Since its inception, the programme has enabled brilliant women across the UK to fully achieve their vision for their businesses and change the world.
Our research into women innovators highlighted access to funding and finance as their biggest barrier to success. They also struggled with the lack of visible role models and inability to reach the right networks.
Over the last nine years, we’ve championed women entrepreneurship and aimed to dismantle barriers to growth, whilst inspiring more women into innovation.
In response to feedback from our Women in Innovation community we’ve made 10 key refinements to this year’s awards, from clearer eligibility and refined application processes, to more accessible applicant guidance, and closer alignment with the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy
The Women in Innovation Awards are unlocking the UK’s untapped potential within our community of women innovators; if men and women started and scaled businesses at the same rate this could be worth as much as £250 billion for the UK economy. This record £4.5 million investment will empower ambitious women founders to scale their businesses, drive economic growth, and inspire the next generation of innovators
– Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Women in Innovation Award Winners
Chloe So
PulpaTronics transforms paper into conductive circuits using our laser technology to create metal-free radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags for affordable and sustainable inventory tracking.
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Ofeoritse Blessing Allen-Adebayo
Algaenic removes harmful algal blooms from UK freshwaters and converts the biomass into feedstocks for sustainable fuels and materials.
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Catherine Prada
Tactone lets blind and partially sighted people navigate unfamiliar buildings independently, guided entirely by voice.
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Dr Pallavi Gore
Developing clinical decision-support tools for maternity units to identify risk during labour and make safer birth decisions for mothers and babies.
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Impact
Women in Innovation has had an incredible impact so far and kickstarted real change across the innovation system.
>£15m
awarded since 2016
>260
winners supported
>100%
increase in women applying for Innovate UK funding
>11,000
in our vibrant community
Success stories from pioneering women innovators
Previous winners of the Women in Innovation Awards have had a huge impact on developing innovative businesses while creating a new community of women entrepreneurs, proving that anything is possible. The stories of our remarkable award winners will inspire the next generation of women change-makers.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Purple Plaques
Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award winners are inspiring more girls into STEM careers, by returning to their former schools, running workshops for the students, and unveiling commemorative Purple Plaques.
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The Women in Innovation Awards are unlocking the UK’s untapped potential within our community of women innovators; if men and women started and scaled businesses at the same rate this could be worth as much as £250 billion for the UK economy. This record £4.5 million investment will empower ambitious women founders to scale their businesses, drive economic growth, and inspire the next generation of innovators
— Stella Peace, Managing Director, Innovate UK
Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation Awards spotlight the UK’s most groundbreaking women entrepreneurs. This year’s winners have shown incredible leadership and creativity. We’re thrilled to support them in scaling their businesses and inspiring the next wave of women innovators. Their success stories will undoubtedly pave the way for more women to enter and thrive in the world of innovation.
— Emily Nott, Head of Inclusive Innovation Programmes at Innovate UK
Having had a complete career change in my forties, this award was all about improving my business fluency. Working with my Innovate UK Business Growth advisor has opened access to training and education, which has hugely benefited me and will continue to be instrumental in my company’s success.
— Louise Ben-Nathan, Founder, LBN Innovations
When I joined the Women in Innovation programme, we were just starting to trade. The in-person and financial support was so timely, helping us invest in small but pricey equipment we normally wouldn't be able to afford at that stage. It also allowed us to take the right risks that would bring tonnes of value.
— Beren Kayali, Co-Founder, Deploy Tech
Confidence was something I really lacked in most areas including sales and pitching…the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards literally changed my life, from the business support and investment to the networking and peer support from the cohort. I could not be more grateful.
— Alison Callwood, Co-Founder & CEO, Sammi-Select
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Develop your talent, discover opportunities to build your skills and secure investment for innovation. No Limits, launched by Innovate UK, brings you the best programmes from innovative organisations across the UK.
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NEWSLETTER
Women in Innovation newsletter
We are proud to support a vibrant Women in Innovation community that encompasses over 11,000 members. Sign up to the Women in Innovation newsletter to learn about our latest news, events and funding opportunities.