Innovate UK
Innovate UK launched this nationwide competition in May 2016. The aim was to challenge the low numbers of women entrepreneurs in the UK.
Each winner receives 50,000 and a tailored business support package. They will also receive mentoring from Innovate UKs list of well-known business leaders, who are also ambassadors for the infocus campaign. These include Facebook VP for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Nicola Mendelsohn, Cambridge Wireless founder and former CEO, Soraya Jones, and Williams F1 Deputy Team Principal, Claire Williams.
Removing barriers for female entrepreneurs
The proportion of UK women in entrepreneurial activity is around half the level of men. Boosting female entrepreneurship could deliver approximately 180 billion to the UK economy.
Innovate UKs infocus campaign is an umbrella initiative to encourage diversity in innovation. The competition aims to address an important barrier to female entrepreneurship - having limited access to relevant role models and identification with entrepreneurs as women like me.
Women are also less likely to seek external sources of finance than men. The campaign is a way of increasing awareness of how simple it is to apply for game-changing funding.
Dr Ruth McKernan CBE and Chief Executive of Innovate UK said:
It is very clear that harnessing the talent of women entrepreneurs could significantly enhance UK economic growth. I am delighted that we are taking action; supporting and funding female entrepreneurs to help them succeed and inspire other women to come forward, apply for funding and turn their ideas into successful businesses.
The infocus Women in Innovation winners and their innovation focus:
- Dr Rachel Gawley of AppAttic (Belfast) digital health
- Lorin Gresser of Dem Dx Ltd (London) digital health
- Emma Sceats of CN Bio Innovations (Hertfordshire) non-animal testing
- Anne Roques of Aurora Medical (Southampton) - surgical tool
- Dr Shakardokht Jafari of TrueInvivo (Surrey) - medical diagnostic
- Professor Kym Jarvis of Viridian Consultants (Surrey) - nuclear energy
- Christine Boyle of Senergy Innovations (Belfast) - solar energy
- Anna Hill of River Cycleway Consortium (London) - green transport
- Pauline Dawes of SOMI Trailers (Scunthorpe) - transport logistics
- Elena Dieckmann of AEROPOWDER (London) - sustainable materials
- Dr Carmen Hijosa of Ananas Anam UK (London) - sustainable materials
- Natwilai Utoomprurkporn of Gettrik (London) - drone system
- Siobhan Gardiner of HEROTECH8 (Bedford) - drone system
- Fanzi Down of DPS Designs (Forest of Dean) - design and manufacturing
- Dr Rebecca Sage of Interactive Scientific (Bristol) - ed tech
Ruth McKernan added:
From air quality monitors, to fully autonomous drone software, affordable solar power technology and a digital education portal which engages school children with the molecular world, the calibre of winners is an eye-opening view into the talent and vision of the UKs female entrepreneurs.
