Young Innovators 20/21 Success Stories

Posted on: 24/03/2022

There are many different routes into innovation, and this is clearly illustrated in the stories of our award winners. Read the stories of our 2020/21 Young Innovators to find out how the Young Innovators programme helped them to navigate and accelerate their entrepreneurial journey. 

In March 2020, Innovate UK published findings showing that half of the young people in the UK think their age is a barrier to success, with nearly a third lacking the confidence needed to turn their ideas into a reality.

To help young people transform their innovative ideas into businesses, Innovate UK launched the Young Innovators programme in partnership with The Prince’s Trust, encouraging and empowering 18-30-year-olds to innovate and succeed by providing access to funding and support.

The programme recognises young people from diverse backgrounds located all over Britain who have great business ideas and the potential to become future leaders in innovation. Each award winner receives a £5,000 grant, one-on-one business coaching from Innovate UK EDGE, and an allowance to cover their living costs, enabling them to accelerate their business and innovation.

So far, 151 inspiring young people have received Young Innovators awards, and 12,000 young people have engaged with the #IdeasMeanBusiness campaign.

From Ideas to Businesses

There are many different routes into innovation, and this is clearly illustrated in the stories of our award winners. What really stands out is the abundance of ideas that are driven by a willingness to bring benefits to our economy, society, and environment, thereby changing the world for the better.

Read the stories of our 2020/21 Young Innovators to find out how the Young Innovators programme helped them to navigate and accelerate their entrepreneurial journey.

Scotland

Lucy Fisher | Knit It/Zucy LTD

Elena Höge | Yaldi Games 

Iona Mackenzie | Talk and Grow

North West

Megan Jones | Curated Makers

Rogiros Theophanous | Theo Technologies

Anna Watkins | Uncommon Alchemy

Zhimin Zhang | Veeego

North East

Greg Short | FYTO

Yorkshire and the Humber

Michael Omotosho | Plugull

Casey Woodward | Agrisound

East Midlands

Madelaine Dowd | Helm Innovation

West Midlands

Abbey Gregg | Alyda

Andrew Reece | WhiteBox Systems

East of England

Rhiannon Jeffreys | Starling Music Academy

London

Sara Berkai | Ambessa Play

Ben Bowler | Indie

Tabby Bunyan | Re_considered

Jasmine Douglas | Babes on Waves

Eve Gregoriou | NeuroVirt

Wales

Alex Newnes | PlantSea

South West

Lottie Hawkins | Earthly Biochar

Alaya Holloway | FirstGens

William Testeil | Famli LTD

South East

Marcus Comaschi | GyroPlant

The next competition

The next competition will open in Summer 2022. Innovate UK’s Young Innovators Awards 2022/23 will award 100 people from diverse backgrounds with a £5,000 grant, one-on-one business coaching, and an allowance to cover their living costs.

Subscribe to our newsletter to find out exactly when and how you’ll be able to submit your application in the hope to become a 2022/23 Young Innovator!

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Young Innovators

Young Innovators

The Young Innovators Awards are an annual competition from Innovate UK that finds, supports and celebrates young people with great business ideas.

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