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.
The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards are open to all backgrounds, sectors, regions and innovation areas. We want to support women who are at a critical stage with their business, where an award will enable them to take an important step forward. The funding should help you make a real difference to innovation in the UK including in and beyond your sector or innovation area.
The Women in Innovation programme is a powerful catalyst for change, not just for the brilliant women entrepreneurs it supports, but for the entire UK innovation landscape. By breaking down barriers and amplifying diverse voices, Innovate UK are fostering a more inclusive and dynamic ecosystem that drives progress across all sectors. This programme is about more than funding – it’s about creating role models, building networks, and inspiring the next generation of women innovators to dream big and transform our world.
Stella Peace, Innovate UK Interim Executive Chair
Our 10 Commitments to Women Innovators
We have listened to the Women in Innovation community and developed 10 bold commitments. These commitments are designed to create more opportunities, foster inclusivity, and drive lasting impact for women-led businesses and the UK economy.
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Women in Innovation Award Winners
Ilisha Masaun
Personalising education through AI.
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Monica Saavedra
Revolutionising greenhouse farming with light-manipulating technology.
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Dupe Burgess
Digital therapeutics for accessible gynaecological care.
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Bridgeen Callan
Transforming melanoma treatment through photodynamic therapy.
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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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Impact
Women in Innovation has had an incredible impact so far and kickstarted real change across the innovation system.
>£11m
awarded since 2016
>200
winners supported
>100%
increase in women applying for Innovate UK funding
>10,500
in our vibrant community
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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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 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 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
Related Events and Recordings
Fri
28
Mar
2025
Empowering Women in AI and Business Growth: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures
09.15 - 17.00 | London
View event slides
Fri
28
Mar
2025
Mitigating bias in AI - introduction webinar and implementation workshop
10.00 - 12.00 | Online
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Related News
16/01/2025
Women Innovators in Foundation Industries Awards 2025 Shortlist
Discover the shortlisted nominees for the first ever awards from UKRI’s Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK, EPSRC and ESRC, recognising Women Innovators in Foundation Industries. These awards are taking place at Innovate UK’s Materials and Manufacturing Showcase in London on 19 February.
Read more
05/12/2024
New community formed to promote AI for industrial decarbonisation
Manufacturers, startups and research organisations amongst founding members of the new coalition to advance the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive industrial decarbonisation.
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Related Opportunities
Mentoring Programme for the UK Battery Sector
Opens: 04/06/2025 Closes: 23/06/2025
We are launching a fully funded Mentor Training and Mentoring Programme for Women and Allies in the battery industries, designed to build connections across the UK’s battery supply chain.
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Battery Investment Readiness Programme 2025
Opens: 27/05/2025 Closes: 31/07/2025
Apply now to be part of the Battery Investment Readiness Programme for 2025. Innovate UK Business Connect will select up to 15 SMEs to join the programme to accelerate their investment journey.
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Innovate UK Growth Catalyst for late-stage startups: Clean Energy and Climate Technologies
Opens: 02/05/2025 Closes: 02/07/2025
Innovate UK is piloting a new programme called Growth Catalyst. It seeks to accelerate highly innovative startups on their journey to becoming successful scale-ups and beyond.
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2026 European Prize for Women Innovators
Opens: 17/06/2025 Closes: 25/09/2025
The prize awards women from across the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe, whose disruptive innovations are driving positive change for people and planet.
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Barclays Eagle Labs Female Founder Accelerator 2025
Opens: 16/06/2025 Closes: 14/07/2025
Applications are now open for the Barclays Eagle Labs Female Founder Accelerator, powered by AccelerateHER, which will support 100 innovative, female-led technology businesses.
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NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA) 2026 cohort
Opens: 02/06/2025 Closes: 11/07/2025
Selected companies will receive €100,000 in contractual funding, with top performers eligible for up to an additional €300,000 in the next programme phase.
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Support for innovators
How we help
Whether you are an early-stage, pre-seed innovator, or a more established company, there are many networks and resources out there to support your innovation journey. It can be confusing to know which is right for your innovation and stage of business.
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No Limits
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 10,500 members. Sign up to the Women in Innovation newsletter to learn about our latest news, events and funding opportunities.