Innovate UK announces its largest ever Women in Innovation cohort, supporting 100 women founders developing businesses across advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and life sciences.
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The 2026 cohort includes entrepreneurs working on innovations that could improve healthcare, strengthen supply chains, support the transition to net zero and help UK businesses compete in global markets.
Of the 100 women recognised:
• 61 award winners will receive a £75,000 grant alongside 12 months of tailored business support, training, networking and mentoring opportunities.
• A further 39 highly commended applicants will receive the same 12 month business support package.
Backing women-led innovation
Spanning the whole of the UK, from Glasgow to Cirencester and Belfast to Gateshead, the cohort is developing innovative solutions across three priority sectors – Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Technologies, and Life Sciences. The innovations include:
Clockwise from top-left: Sanziana Foia, Keerthi Busanaboyina,
Elizabeth Lee, Dr Allen-Adebayo, Mary-Brenda Akoda.
Keerthi Busanaboyina, founder of Ellyfe,
Pioneering wearable tech that detects dehydration risk early in older adults. Her innovation could prevent avoidable illness, reduce hospital admissions and improve later-life care.
Elizabeth Lee, founder of Carbon Cell
Engineering a carbon-negative alternative to conventional plastic foams used in packaging and insulation. Her biochar-based expanding foam helps manufacturers eliminate plastic waste and lock carbon away for centuries.
Sanziana Foia, founder of Papcup
Developing fast, non-invasive home diagnostics using menstrual blood. Her innovation enables earlier detection of conditions ranging from iron deficiency to cervical cancer, making women’s healthcare more accessible.
Dr Allen-Adebayo, founder of Algaenic
Tackling harmful algal blooms by converting recovered biomass into sustainable fuels and materials. Her innovation could improve water quality and accelerate the circular economy.
Mary-Brenda Akoda, founder of GenScan AI
Developing AI that cuts MRI scan times by up to 90%. Her first-of-its-kind innovation could speed up diagnosis, reduce NHS waiting lists and improve care for millions of patients.
10 years of breaking barriers
Launched in 2016, the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards were designed to unlock the potential of women innovators by addressing some of the most persistent barriers of success, including access to funding and finance, the lack of visible role models, and difficulty accessing key networks.
Since then, the Awards have invested over £15 million in 260 exceptional women innovators while fostering a thriving community of over 11,000 women business leaders
Since receiving their Women in Innovation Award, previous winners have gone on to secure an additional £358 million in funding and investment.
The Awards have also helped drive a major shift in participation across Innovate UK, with the proportion of successful women-led applications increasing from 1 in 7 to 1 in 3 across all competitions.
Innovation driving growth across the UK
The 2026 cohort reflects both the diversity of the UK’s innovation economy and the breadth of talent driving it forward. Among this year’s founders:
29% identify as being from an ethnic minority background (excluding white minorities).
20% have a long-term health condition, illness or disability.
50% have caring or parental responsibilities.
The cohort also spans every nation and region of the UK including:
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Clockwise from top-left: Maggie Gill, Dr Pragya Sharm, Myra Waiman,
Yining Shen, Kiren Baines-Mortimore
Maggie Gill, founder of PHIRA-Science, Carmarthenshire
Developing a climate-adaptive treatment to protect honeybees from the emerging threat of parasitic mites. Her work can safeguard pollination, resilient agriculture and food security.
Dr Pragya Sharma, founder of Gran Lab, Belfast
Pioneering skincare and sun protection that reactive skin can tolerate. Her products could improve health outcomes for millions living with eczema, psoriasis and increased skin cancer risk.
Myra Waiman, founder of Infi-tex, Lancaster
Transforming everyday textiles into smart pressure sensors that detect harm before it happens. Her innovation could prevent injuries, improve patient care and enhance performance across healthcare, sport and defence.
Kiren Baines-Mortimore, co-founder of Valaya, Bristol
Using precision RNA therapeutics to target the biological drivers of Parkinson’s disease. Her innovation could reshape treatment for neurodegenerative conditions, improving outcomes for millions of patients.
Yining Shen, founder of ProMaterial, Port Talbot
Harnessing AI to help manufacturers produce higher-quality precision magnets with less waste. Her technology is strengthening the supply chains powering electric vehicles, renewable energy and advanced robotics.
Building on a powerful legacy
Since receiving their Women in Innovation Award, previous winners have gone on to secure an additional £358 million in funding and investment. [SB4]
They have expanded into international markets, received prestigious industry and royal honours, and forged partnerships with major organisations including Disney, M&S, Universal, Müller, Warner Music, Sanofi, Waitrose, the Royal Engineers and the NHS.
Meet the latest 100 Women in Innovation
Celebrating a landmark cohort
Emily Nott, Head of Inclusive Innovation, Innovate UK, said:
“Huge congratulations to everyone recognised in this year’s Women in Innovation Awards. Reaching the 10th anniversary of the programme 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. 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.”