Innovate UK awards £75,000 grants to 61 women founders in largest Women in Innovation cohort

Innovate UK announced its 2026 Women in Innovation cohort, the programme’s biggest to date, recognising 100 women founders across the United Kingdom. Sixty‑one of the awardees will receive a £75,000 non‑dilutive grant together with a year of tailored business support, training, networking and mentoring. The cohort marks the tenth anniversary of the scheme, which has invested more than £15 million in 260 women‑led businesses since 2016 and attracted a record 1,590 applications.

Recipients span a range of high‑impact technologies, including Ellyfe’s wearable dehydration sensor for older adults, Carbon Cell’s carbon‑negative foam packaging, GenScan AI’s system that can cut MRI scan times by up to 90 %, In‑House Health’s workplace‑health platform founded by nurse Emma‑Louise Fusari, and SeeMe Ltd’s AI‑enabled personal archive platform led by Mary Blake. Emily Nott, head of inclusive innovation at Innovate UK, said the awards “recognise women founders delivering significant economic and social impact for the nation.” Mary Blake added that the grant validates the work of her Derry‑based company and supports its next development phase.