The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards is celebrating 50 women leading the charge in groundbreaking industries.
From revolutionising data extraction to shaking up the fashion industry with eco-friendly textiles using graphene-based fibres, the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards will empower 15 trailblazing women from London to scale their innovative businesses and make a meaningful impact.
Each will receive a £75,000 grant, personalised business coaching, and access to networking, role modelling and training opportunities.
Research highlights significant hurdles for women entrepreneurs, including access to funding, and a lack of networks and visible role models. The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards address these issues, enabling women innovators to scale their businesses, whilst making a powerful impact on our economy and society.
The winners from London recognised today for their groundbreaking work include:
· Dini McGrath, from London, founder of The Wonki Collective, has developed the world’s first B2B food matchmaking platform, helping manufacturers track and redistribute surplus ingredients. With UK food and drink waste accounting for 18 million tonnes of CO2, her platform aims to cut 180,000 tonnes of this by 2026, equivalent to removing 40,000 cars from UK roads.
· Georgia Fleet, from London, co-founder and CEO of Zonova, is tackling the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis by adding antimicrobial properties to medical devices like catheters and sutures. This innovation prevents infections, reducing the need for antibiotics and improving patient outcomes.
· Eve Kekeh, from London, founder of Bundlee, is pioneering a sustainable subscription model for baby and toddler clothing. Through Bundlee, parents can rent and exchange clothes as their children grow, reducing waste and cutting costs by up to 75% compared to buying new. Eve has already facilitated 100,000 clothing rentals, saving over 200,000 kg of CO2e and 30 million litres of water.
· Ina Hanninger, from London, CTO and co-founder of Anathem, is streamlining police case management, particularly complex cases like domestic violence, by reducing paperwork and enhancing evidence collection. The AI-powered PolicePartner tool cuts documentation time from three hours to just 30 minutes and is projected to boost prosecution rates from 58% to 70%, delivering better outcomes for victims.
· Kavya Jain from London, founder of Senseiforall, is transforming school accessibility with Sensei. Sensei’s durable, low-cost tactile surfaces can be affixed to walls, using patterns to guide visually impaired students through touch, saving schools up to 40% compared to traditional modifications.
· Sarah Knight from London, founder of The Allergy Team, is making schools safer for kids with allergies. Her AI-powered platform streamlines allergy management, from staff training to policy documents, reducing anxiety for parents and teachers.
· Dupe Burgess from London, founder of Bloomful, is boosting women’s health with a mobile app offering personalised support for gynaecological conditions, improving access to care and reducing health inequalities. Early feasibility studies have shown improved outcomes, and the technology is now undergoing trials in GP surgeries across the UK.
· Ese Eniwumide from Bromley, founder of Happaning, an app that is transforming digital event experiences. Their immersive video platform allows fans to watch live events and performances from multiple perspectives, including authentic audience captured video. It’s the only platform where users can create, share and consume stories with blockchain-verified authenticity, combating misinformation.
· Victoria Mataczynski, from London, is the founder of Nanoloom, revolutionising textiles with graphene-based fibres. These eco-friendly materials are stronger than traditional fibres, use 10 times less water, and shed no microfibres. Designed for large-scale adoption by apparel brands, they can replace nearly all synthetic textiles and outperform them. They also have potential applications in automotive and aerospace industries.
Since launching in 2016, the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards have invested over £11 million in 200 women innovators and has built a vibrant community of over 10,500 women business leaders.
Today, a total of 50 pioneering women innovators have been awarded, spanning every nation and region of the UK. The awards continue to champion high-potential women business leaders from diverse backgrounds: 36% of the winners are from ethnic minority groups (excluding white minorities); 22% have long term conditions, illnesses or disabilities; and 50% have caring or parental responsibilities.
Commenting on her award win, Georgia Fleet of Zonova said: “Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health. Winning an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award is testament to the importance of our work and gives us the support we need to accelerate our R&D efforts. This award will help us refine and test our antimicrobial technology, laying the foundation for future market entry in both animal and human healthcare.”
The Awards drew 1,452 applications from women business leaders, 52% up on last year. This record-breaking engagement highlights the high demand for innovation support and potential to drive economic growth from women leading businesses in the UK. In total, £3.75 million in government funding is being awarded, with each recipient receiving 50% more than previous years.
Recent data across all Innovate UK competitions shows that 1 in 3 successful grant applications are now led by women, a significant jump from 1 in 7 when Women in Innovation was first launched.
Emily Nott, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Innovate UK, said:
“The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards spotlight the UK’s most groundbreaking women entrepreneurs. This year’s winners have shown incredible leadership and creativity. We’re thrilled to support them in scaling their businesses and inspiring the next wave of women innovators. Their success stories will undoubtedly pave the way for more women to enter and thrive in the world of innovation.”
Dr Stella Peace, Interim Executive Chair of Innovate UK, said:
“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.”
