New round of Innovate UK: Women in Innovation Awards announced

At our recent webinar with NatWest,  you’ll have heard that we announced the next round of the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards, which promises to be bigger and better than ever. Alongside a business-boosting support package, which includes coaching, mentorship, training, networking, and role-modelling opportunities, 50 winners will receive up to £75k grant funding. The competition for awards opens on 13 May with a Briefing Event for applicants taking place the next day.

For more information on the awards and register for the briefing event, see here.

In our recent webinar with NatWest we brought together remarkable women innovators and business leaders, who shared their wealth of knowledge and experience.

Panel 1: Aspiration of growth in innovation

• Panellists spoke candidly about their business journeys and the lived experiences – personal and professional – that inspired them to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
• “Your network is your net worth” – how programmes like Innovate UK Women in Innovation and NatWest Accelerator give early-stage founders the opportunity to rapidly grow their peer-to-peer support network.
• Panellists concluded that aspiring entrepreneurs must not be afraid of failure or of asking for help – and that innovation is not an idea, but a long and worthwhile journey.

Panel 2: Inspiring the UK’s innovation pipeline

• Panellists discussed businesses’ role in building the talent pipeline, not only to shape their future workforce, but to leave a lasting impact on our wider society and economy.
• Perceived barriers for businesses to engage with schools can be addressed by working with a range of support organisations and careers hubs across the country.
• Panellists concluded that we should all recognise the influence we have as business leaders, parents, or community members – and that we all have the responsibility and capacity to nurture the next-generation.

Missed it? You can watch the recording of the inspiring event here.