INNOVATION

Making a real difference

Indro Mukerjee, CEO of Innovate UK, said: “The Innovate UK Women in Innovation programme is an important part of our many activi-ties to make a real difference to the talent and skills pipeline for UK business innovation by inspiring, involving and investing in greater diversity.

I warmly congratulate all the Women in Innovation Award winners and look forward to keeping in touch as they progress.”

About Women in Innovation

Innovate UK launched Women in Innovation in 2016, after research revealed that just one in seven applications for Innovate UK support came from women. £250 billion of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men.

Since then, it has invested £7.6 million in over 160 trailblazing women and convened a vibrant community of over 9,500 business leaders, ambassadors, and allies. The award programme empowers women business leaders to develop commercially successful solutions to major so-cial, environmental, and economic challenges. Women in Innovation is part of Innovate UK’s commitment to promote greater diversity and inclusion in business innovation.

Each year, the programme identifies women with innovative, high-potential ideas and ambitious plans that will inspire others. The programme is open to women founders, cofounders or senior decision makers working in businesses that have been operating for at least one year. The award winners each receive a £50,000 grant and a bespoke package of mentoring, coaching and business support. Since launching Women in Innovation, the number of women leading applications for Innovate UK support has increased by 70%. The Women in Innovation Awards 2022 and 2023 will build on this success.

Read more about the Women in Innovation programme.