Kavya Jain

Kavya Jain is the founder of Sensei, a social enterprise developing tactile wayfinding solutions to make schools accessible for visually impaired students. Her journey from product design graduate to accessibility innovator was sparked by watching her father navigate vision loss from diabetic retinopathy, and volunteering with blind and partially sighted people.

In the UK, over 85,000 children face challenges navigating school environments, with only 1.3% of schools equipped to meet their needs. Traditional solutions are inconsistent and costly. Sensei’s durable, low-cost tactile surfaces can be affixed to walls, using patterns to guide students through touch, saving schools up to 40% compared to traditional modifications.

“Understanding is at the heart of my work – taking the time to learn from users and designing products that enable independence and inclusion,” says Kavya.

Her achievements include recognition as ‘Best Project of the Year’ by Kinneir Dufort, features in Dezeen and Metropolis Magazine, and selection as a One Young World Summit 2024 ambassador. As Designer in Residence at Nottingham Trent University, the Royal Society of Arts, and Makerversity, she continues to champion inclusive design.

“It feels surreal to have people believe in my vision,” says Kavya of winning the Women in Innovation Award. “I’m incredibly grateful and empowered to be part of a cohort of remarkable women driving change.”

“The biggest challenge I had to overcome was being taken seriously. People struggled to see my work as a scalable vision rather than a passion project,” Kavya reflects. “I focused on proving impact and feasibility through user feedback and data, shifting perceptions and establishing Sensei as a credible, mission-driven enterprise.”

Her advice to aspiring women innovators? “Stay true to your vision, even when others don’t understand it. Your dreams are uniquely yours, and it’s up to you to bring them to life.”

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.