National funding body Innovate UK has announced its largest Women in Innovation intake to date, supporting 100 female entrepreneurs operating across manufacturing, digital technology and life sciences.
The 2026 cohort features 61 main award winners, who will each receive a £75,000 grant alongside 12 months of tailored mentorship, training and business networking. A further 39 applicants earned highly commended status, granting them access to the same year-long corporate support package.
Selected founders are working on solutions spanning key economic sectors across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Projects include non-invasive home health diagnostics created by Papcup founder Sanziana Foia, carbon-negative insulation engineered by Carbon Cell founder Elizabeth Lee, and algae biomass fuel systems developed by Algaenic founder Dr Allen-Adebayo.
In healthcare tech, Ellyfe founder Keerthi Busanaboyina designed wearable sensors to detect early dehydration in older adults, while GenScan AI founder Mary-Brenda Akoda created artificial intelligence tools that reduce MRI scanning times by up to 90 per cent.
Diversity figures released by Innovate UK show that 29 per cent of the selected 2026 cohort identify as being from an ethnic minority background, excluding white minorities. Additionally, 20 per cent reported having a long-term illness, health condition or disability, while 50 per cent hold parental or caring responsibilities.
Regional founders include Carmarthenshire-based PHIRA-Science founder Maggie Gill, who is testing climate-adaptive treatments for honeybees, and Belfast-based Gran Lab founder Dr Pragya Sharma, who is formulating skincare for reactive skin conditions. In Port Talbot, ProMaterial founder Yining Shen is utilising artificial intelligence to optimise magnet production for electric vehicles. Other awardees include Infi-tex founder Myra Waiman in Lancaster and Valaya co-founder Kiren Baines-Mortimore in Bristol.
First established in 2016 to target funding gaps, missing role models and network access, the Women in Innovation scheme has awarded over £15 million to 260 female business leaders over its ten-year history. Previous recipients have raised an additional £358 million in private capital and established commercial links with firms such as Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Sanofi, Disney and the NHS.
“Huge congratulations to everyone recognised in this year’s Women in Innovation Awards,” said Emily Nott, Head of Inclusive Innovation at Innovate UK. “Reaching the 10th anniversary of the programme with record levels of engagement demonstrates the extraordinary talent, unstoppable ambition, and groundbreaking innovation being developed by women across the UK.”
“Whether an award winner or highly commended applicant, each member of this cohort is working towards delivering significant economic and social impact for the nation through innovation,” Nott added. “We are proud to support these inspiring founders as they navigate the critical growth stages ahead and to create pathways for more women-led businesses to become industry giants of the future.”
