Innovate UK launches Women in Innovation Awards 2025-26

Innovate UK has launched its Women in Innovation Awards for 2025-26, offering up to 60 awardees a grant of up to £75,000.

HealthTech solutions to win funding through the 2024 awards included a tampon that prevents bacterial infections, an AI-powered audio device for visually impaired people, and an app for gynaecological conditions.

The awards are aimed at female founders of late-stage start-ups, with a minimum viable product, early user interest or revenue, a growing team, and plans to raise significant capital within the next 12 to 24 months.

Liz Kendall, science secretary, said: “The Women in Innovation Awards are unlocking the UK’s untapped potential within our community of women innovators; if men and women started and scaled businesses at the same rate this could be worth as much as £250 billion for the UK economy.

“This record £4.5 million investment will empower ambitious women founders to scale their businesses, drive economic growth, and inspire the next generation of innovators.”

Applicants must operate within advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, or life sciences, three of the high growth sectors identified in the UK’s Industrial Strategy.

As well as a grant of up to £75,000, winners will receive a suite of training, networking and role-modelling opportunities. Bespoke business support will also be offered to other highly commended applicants.

The competition opened on 26 November 2025 and the deadline for submissions closes on 4 February 2026.

Since 2016, the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards have invested more than £11 million in 200 women innovators, with up to 60 more women to be awarded this year.

Last year’s awards caused controversy when Innovate UK announced funding for 50 women and then said it would only award 25 of the promised grants, worth £75,000 each.

Innovate UK eventually reversed its decision to slash 50% of grants, following a social media campaign sparked by Emma Jarvis, founder of FemTech startup Dearbump.

A group of more than 400 campaigners formed the collaborative ‘Let’s Fund More Women’ to oppose Innovate UK’s decision.

In response, Innovate UK confirmed that it would fund the full 50 awards and £4 million investment, as originally committed, saying it was “a mistake and we prioritised wrongly”.

The issue followed a viral LinkedIn post by Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen, cofounder of Female Invest, highlighting that just 2% of venture capital funding goes to female founders.

Those interested in applying for this year’s Women in Innovation Awards can learn more here.