Women in Innovation Awards 2025/26 now open for applications

Support for ambitious women innovators to scale their businesses

Innovate UK is offering up to 60 Women in Innovation Awards to women founders and co-founders of micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK. The scheme will support women who lead late stage start-ups working across advanced manufacturing, digital and technologies, and life sciences.

What the award offers

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

Some highly commended applicants may receive business support, even if they do not receive funding.

Who can apply

Applicants must be:

• a woman founder or co-founder of a UK-registered SME
• leading a late stage start-up
• preparing to scale and raise significant investment in the next 12 to 24 months

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

You must also have a good understanding of your market and target users. Projects must develop a new or significantly improved product, service or business model that meets a clear market need.

Before you apply

You must complete the suitability checker to confirm you meet the competition criteria before starting an application.

This tool is designed to help you decide if applying is right for you and to point you toward additional support if needed. The check takes about five minutes, after which you will get an instant result. If the Women in Innovation Awards 2025/26 are suitable for you, Innovate UK will connect you directly to the application page and provide guidance to help you apply.

The deadline for applications is 11am on Wednesday 4 February 2026.

For more information, read the Women in Innovation Awards 2025/26 competition document.

Potential applicants are also encouraged to tap into Innovate UK's No Limits platform to find extra funding, mentoring and networking opportunities from over 200 UK partners, giving you even more ways to grow your business.

First published 27 November 2025