The Young Innovators Programme
The Young Innovators programme, which includes annual awards for young people with creative and ground-breaking business ideas and a high-profile #IdeasMeanBusiness campaign, is all part of Innovate UK’s commitment to changing the world by investing in young people with big environmental, societal and economic ambitions.
Hear from Young Innovators Awards winners
In this video, Young Innovators Awards 2022/23 winners share the most significant milestones the Awards have helped them achieve.
Programme Benefits
£5,000 financial grant
We help you cover eligible project costs, including travel to meet customers and partners, attending relevant training courses, equipment, hiring office space, or IT support with a £5,000 grant.
Allowance for living costs
To enable our award holders to focus on their business idea, we offer a contribution to your living cost which is paid at an hourly rate matching the UK real living wage for 2 days (15 hours) per week throughout the duration of the award.
One-to-one business coaching
Tailored business support and mentorship, including advice on business planning, strategy, financial planning, media and communications, branding, growing your networks, access to additional funding, pitch training and more.
Our Winners
This year, 94 Young Innovator Awards winners were selected from hundreds of applicants. The winners are tackling some of our most pressing environmental, economic and societal challenges. The range and scope of their ideas is truly impressive. Use the button below to find out more about the individual winners, their business and how the Young Innovators competition is helping their businesses grow.
Alicia Showering
Creating the first ever microbiome long-lasting mosquito repellent.
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Syed Abid
The modular vehicle chassis taking electric vehicle technology into new sectors.
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Jamil Quarless
Creating biodegradable fruit and veg bags for a more sustainable future.
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Hannah Lee
Transforming the way we consume media by identifying bias in articles.
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Michael Roberts
Reinventing aircrafts to be more accessible and affordable for all.
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Haweya Abdikadir
Developing low-sugar vitamin gummies to reduce the risk of chronic illness.
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What are we looking for?
The aim of the Young Innovators Awards is to find the UK’s next generation of innovators – high-potential young people with great business ideas! We are looking for…
- People with great ideas that can be commercialised
- Ideas that address a problem and market need
- Ideas that offer significantly better solutions to existing ones in that market
- Ideas that are ready to be developed into a new business
- People who can become relatable role models to inspire others
Diversity & Inclusion in Innovation
Innovate UK is creating a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing game-changing innovations, to build a better, more resilient economy and society.
The UK’s diverse population is a key asset for innovation. However, we know that whilst talent is evenly distributed across the UK, opportunity is not.
As such, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the Young Innovators programme which forms an integral part of Innovate UK’s 2021-2025 Plan for Action for UK Business Innovation and its commitment to “increase the diversity of upcoming innovation talent and make innovation support more visible, accessible, and inclusive to all.”
We are encouraged that, of our 2021/22 Young Innovators award winners, 49% are female; nearly a third are Black, Asian or from an ethnic minority background; 17% have a disability and the projects cover all regions across the UK.
Get Involved
Through our social media channels and newsletters we share useful resources for future innovators to gather inspiration and grow their business. Follow us and keep up to date with upcoming funding opportunities, events, and news.
Related News
12/02/2024
No Limits platform launches
Innovate UK has launched a new digital platform called No Limits to help better support innovative talent across the UK by connecting innovators and businesses to talent and skills opportunities.
Read more
10/08/2023
Future Flight Challenge announces ‘Closing the skills gap’ cohort
From virtual reality drone training and upskilling for local authorities, to new university course modules and mentoring in schools, 13 new projects have joined the UK Research and Innovation Future Flight Challenge to address skills gaps in the UK’s rapidly growing future flight industry.
Read more
Related Opportunities
National Home Decarbonisation Group: Big Retrofit Challenge
Opens: 18/10/2024 Closes: 28/11/2024
The ‘Big Retrofit Challenge’ is a bold new competition aimed at unearthing game-changing solutions in home decarbonisation.
More Information
National Centre for Accessible Transport: Scaling Innovation Programme 2025
Opens: 29/10/2024 Closes: 28/11/2024
Funding pioneering solutions that enhance transport accessibility for disabled people.
More Information
NCSC Funded Cyber Essentials Programme
Apply anytime
Small organisations from specific sectors in the UK are being offered practical support to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus at no cost to the organisation.
More Information
Our Experts
Join the Community today
We are now proud to be supporting a vibrant Young Innovators community. Join the community today to stay in the know.