Lucy Hope

Lucy Hope, founder of The Daughters of Mars, is developing revolutionary menstrual care products that enhance women’s health through biomimetic proteins. Her journey from professional singer to healthtech innovator began during the pandemic, when she joined her family’s biotech business which developed antiviral face masks that protected over a million people.

Globally, bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects an estimated one in three women of reproductive age, resulting from an imbalance in vaginal bacteria. Tampon design, largely unchanged for nearly 90 years, offers an opportunity for innovation. The Daughters of Mars’ patented tampon enhances natural defences, targets harmful bacteria, and restores a healthy vaginal pH. This innovative approach addresses a critical gap in women’s health, addressing the recurring infections often associated with current treatments.

“We strive to create a world where women can thrive in every aspect of their lives, feeling balanced, understood, and cared for,” says Lucy.

Her achievements include winning an Innovate UK Fast Start Grant and a National Biofilms Innovation Centre Proof of Concept Award. She regularly speaks at prestigious institutions including The Royal Society and Victoria & Albert Museum about innovation in sustainable textiles.

“Winning this award has given me the first opportunity to reflect and be proud of our four-year journey,” says Lucy. “We need more interdisciplinarity and more women in tech and women’s HealthTech innovation. It is a point of great pride to receive such a prestigious award.”

“The biggest barrier has been navigating deeply ingrained taboos surrounding menstruation and women’s health,” Lucy reflects. “Even using anatomically correct terms often evokes discomfort. I’ve had to push past my own instinct to self-censor and speak openly, because real change demands honest dialogue.”

Her advice to aspiring women innovators? “Use your lived experience and leverage your unique perspective. If you’re doubting yourself, remember: no one else has done it yet, and that’s exactly why you should.”

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.