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Women in Innovation Awards 2025/26

Who it is for

This competition is open to single applicants.

To lead a project you must:

• be a woman founder or co-founder within a UK registered micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)
• be a resident in the UK
• be leading a late stage start-up
• be preparing to scale and raise significant investment in the next 12 to 24 months
• engage in a minimum of 10 hours of training and development support
• commit to a minimum of four hours of role modelling activity to inspire future generations of women innovators

Late stage start-ups should have:

• developed a prototype or minimum viable product
• received early customer interest or revenue
• started testing how the business will work
• started forming a team beyond the founding group

Your project must:

• have a grant funding request of up to £75,000
• last for 12 months
• start on 1 July 2026
• end on 30 June 2027

Support you can get

This competition aims to support women who lead late stage start-ups working across advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, and life sciences.

Successful applicants will receive:

• up to £75,000 to accelerate their innovation
• 12 months of bespoke business support
• access to training, networks and promotional opportunities
• the chance to act as a role model for future women innovators

Total project costs will be eligible for up to 100% funding, subject to MFA subsidy rules.
 

Support organisers

• Innovate UK

Contact

Innovate UK

Email

support@iuk.ukri.org

Phone:

0300 321 4357

Next Steps

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