Innovate UK's Women to Watch

These awards aim to address key barriers faced by women in entrepreneurship, such as access to funding and networks. Since its inception in 2016, the initiative has invested over £11 million in 200 women-led businesses, fostering a growing community of over 10,500 women business leaders.

Highlights of the 2024 Award Winners:

• Emma Yates, Proteotype Diagnostics: Developing the Enlighten test for early-stage cancer detection, leveraging immune response for earlier diagnoses and personalised treatment.

• Ina Hanninger, Anathem: Enhancing police case management with AI-powered PolicePartner, reducing paperwork and increasing prosecution rates.

• Divya Varma, BirthGlide: Creating an affordable medical device to improve childbirth safety and reduce assisted vaginal births.

• Eve Kekeh, Bundlee: Innovating a sustainable subscription model for baby clothing, reducing waste and carbon emissions.

• Monica Saavedra, Lambda Agri: Developing light-changing greenhouse coatings to enhance crop yields sustainably.

• Jane Pearce, Rookwood Operations: Tackling phosphate pollution by recovering and reusing excess phosphate from waterways.

• Kavya Jain, Senseiforall: Introducing tactile surfaces for visually impaired students, improving school accessibility.

• Dini McGrath, The Wonki Collective: Launching a food matchmaking platform to reduce food waste in the UK.

• Ese Eniwumide, Happaning: Advancing digital event experiences with an immersive, blockchain-verified video-sharing platform.

• Róisín Hyde, NoMAD: Creating 3D-printed landscaping components to support wild bee populations.

• Daniela Mercado Beivide, Holly Health: Combining psychology and technology for long-term weight management.

• Megan Worthing-Davies, Maji Financial Wellbeing: Addressing the gender pension gap with a digital financial planning tool.

• Louise Bray, Green Wing: Reducing carbon emissions in TV production through a digital tracking solution.

This year saw a record 1,452 applications, up 52% from last year, highlighting growing demand for innovation support. The UK Government has allocated £3.75 million in funding, with each winner receiving 50% more than in previous years.

Dr Stella Peace, Interim Executive Chair of Innovate UK, emphasised that the programme is "a catalyst for change," fostering a more inclusive innovation landscape. Minister for AI, Feryal Clark, highlighted the significance of government investment in women-led innovation, driving economic growth and societal benefits.

With past winners securing multi-million-pound investments and forging high-profile industry partnerships, the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards continue to champion female-led businesses and inspire the next generation of women innovators.