Christine Boyle of solar company Senergy Innovations and Dr Rachel Gawley of healthcare apps company AppAttic were among 15 winners in Innovate UK’s ‘infocus’ competition for Women in Innovation, announced at an award ceremony held at London’s Royal Society of Arts.

The winners come from a variety of sectors including health, nuclear energy, transport logistics, and drone systems. Each will receive £50,000 and will also receive a valuable package of support tailored to their individual needs. All winners will be matched with a suitable mentor who will offer guidance and advice throughout the duration of the award. Mentors include Facebook VP for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Nicola Mendelsohn; Cambridge Wireless founder and former CEO, Soraya Jones; and Williams F1 Deputy Team Principal, Claire Williams.

The package of support on offer also includes training on pitching to investors, introduction to investors, media and communications training as well as intellectual property advice provided by the Intellectual Property Office.

The nationwide competition was launched in May this year, with the aim of challenging the low number of female entrepreneurs in the UK. The proportion of UK women in entrepreneurial activity is around half the level of men. Boosting female entrepreneurship could deliver around £180 billion to the UK economy. Women are also less likely to seek external sources of finance than men. The campaign is a way of increasing awareness of how simple it is to apply for game-changing funding.

Dr Ruth McKernan CBE, Chief Executive of Innovate UK, said, “It is very clear that harnessing the talent of women entrepreneurs could significantly enhance UK economic growth. I am delighted that we are taking action; supporting and funding female entrepreneurs to help them succeed and inspire other women to come forward, apply for funding and turn their ideas into successful businesses.

“From air quality monitors, to fully autonomous drone software, affordable solar power technology and a digital education portal which engages school children with the molecular world, the calibre of winners is an eye-opening view into the talent and vision of the UK’s female entrepreneurs.”

The 2016 infocus campaign launched following an analysis of 8,566 historic Innovate UK funding applications. The findings highlighted that there was little difference in the quality of applications submitted by women and men, yet just 1 in 7 applications (14%) for funding were from women. With women in the UK half as likely to start a new business as their male counterparts, or indeed seek out external sources of funding, Innovate UK’s 2016 infocus awards sought to redress this imbalance by encouraging them to apply. The winners will be formally congratulated at the National Business Awards in London.

The infocus Women in Innovation winners and their innovation focus