Female entrepreneurs honoured at the Women in Innovation awards

women-in-innovation-awards-panel
A panel of Emma Barnett, journalist and broadcaster; Hazel Moore, Chairman of First Capital and Governing Board Member of Innovate UK; Jenny Tooth, CEO of UKBAA; Joyeeta Das, CEO of Gyana; Tera Allas, Governing Board Member of Innovate UK; and Fiona Marshall, CSO of Heptares Therpeutics at the Women in Innovation Awards.

Female entrepreneurs from across the UK have been honoured at the 2016 Women in Innovation awards.

Fifteen of the UK’s most innovative women were celebrated at an awards ceremony at London’s Royal Society of Arts.

The winners of the award come from across a variety of sectors including health, nuclear energy, transport logistics, and drone systems. You can view the full list of winners below:

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
  • Dr 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

Each winner will receive £50,000 and a tailored business support package. They will also receive mentoring from Innovate UK’s 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.

Dr Ruth McKernan CBE, 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.”

“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 UK’s female entrepreneurs.”

In May 2016, Innovate UK launched the nationwide competition, with the aim of challenging the low number of female entrepreneurs in the UK.

The proportion of UK women in entrepreneurial activity is around half the level of men. Boosting female entrepreneurship could deliver around £180 billion to the UK economy.

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.

About the author

Alison is the Digital Content Editor for WeAreTheCity. She has a BA Honours degree in Journalism and History from the University of Portsmouth. She has previously worked in the marketing sector and in a copywriting role. Alison’s other passions and hobbies include writing, blogging and travelling.
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