Previous Winners
As we enter a post-pandemic world, it is essential for us to increase our support and reaffirm the strength of our commitment to the country’s pioneering women innovators whose businesses are solving the pressing environmental, societal, and economic challenges of today.
In 2021, we received a record number of applications and selected 38 remarkable applicants for our Women in Innovation Awards, each receiving a cash injection of £50K and a bespoke package of business support, coaching, mentoring and training. These ambitious and pioneering winners, located in all countries and regions of the UK, are working on innovations across many different sectors.
Women In Innovation Success stories
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.
Read the success stories of 19 of our 2020/21 Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation awardees to learn how their ground-breaking ideas are helping manage the world’s greatest challenges.
Read about Women In Innovation Winners in our award brochures
Awards 2021 | Awards 2020 | Awards 2018 | Awards 2016
Innovate UK has also created a booklet to celebrate women in innovation, showcasing the journeys of 30 women entrepreneurs and their experiences with the program. Click here to learn more about the remarkable success of the Women in Innovation programme.
Hear from our winners
"I think success is about engaging in the network and with the Innovation and Growth Specialists as much as possible. It is also important to have a clear plan of what you want to achieve in the timeframe."
— Lise Pape, Walk With Path | Women In Innovation 2020/21 Award Winner
"As a female innovator, I am determined to both succeed and be a visible role model by creating value and driving sustainability with new technology."
— Christina King, Tribosonics | Women In Innovation 2020/21 Award Winner
"Being able to spend time with each other to share stories, experiences, advice and encouragement is so reassuring and provides the sort of boost that I’ve not had from anywhere else."
— Sophie Walker, Dsposal | Women In Innovation 2020/21 Award Winner
"Embrace every opportunity that comes your way – each learning experience, session with Innovation and Growth Specialists and cohort support as you never know where they will lead. Give generously of your own time too and you’ll be surprised at what you get back from the programme. It’s just been a truly awesome experience and I don’t want it to end!"
— Dr Emma Fieldhouse, Future We Want | Women In Innovation 2020/21 Award Winner
"The Women in Innovation cohort is wonderful. I drew a huge amount of inspiration and strength from the other winners, even though we are all at different stages of our start-up journeys."
— Dr Chen Mao Davies, LatchAid | Women In Innovation 2020/21 Award Winner
Our Experts
Women in innovation newsletter
The Women in Innovation Awards 2022/23 opens for applications between 22 August 2022 to 19 October 2022. Subscribe to our dedicated newsletter to continue your innovation journey as part of a vibrant community of like-minded people.