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
Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award Winners 2025
Celebrating a new cohort of women leading the charge in groundbreaking industries. The award winners represent a broad range of high growth industries - from health tech and agriculture to renewable energy and education, spanning every nation and region of the UK.
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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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Legacy winners
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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Related Events and Recordings
Related Opportunities
Travel support for UK businesses to attend European events
Applications close c. 1 month before event date
Innovate UK is offering travel support for companies to attend consortia-building events in Europe. Up to £700 is available to help cover travel and subsistence costs.
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Innovate UK innovation loans future economy: Round 20
Opens: 06/03/2025 Closes: 07/05/2025
UK registered businesses can apply for loans for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy.
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Royal Society Industry Fellowships - 2025 Round 2
Opens: 12/02/2025 Closes: 09/04/2025
Royal Society Fellowships enable talented scientists and engineers from industry and academia to move between the sectors.
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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.
Find support

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.