Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards 2025: Celebrating Trailblazing Female Entrepreneurs
Innovate UK has announced the winners of the prestigious Women in Innovation Awards 2025, recognizing the remarkable achievements of female entrepreneurs who are making significant contributions to society and the economy. This year’s cohort of winners, spanning from Edinburgh to Southampton and Cardiff to Belfast, are tackling some of the most pressing environmental, economic, and societal challenges. Each winner will receive a £75,000 grant, personalized business coaching, and access to networking, role modeling, and training opportunities.
Innovate UK Women in Innovation: Empowering Female Entrepreneurs
The Innovate UK Women in Innovation program is designed to support and empower women entrepreneurs and innovation leaders. By providing financial support, mentorship, and access to valuable resources, the program aims to help these trailblazing women scale their businesses and make a powerful impact on the economy and society. The winners of the 2025 awards are a testament to the success of this initiative, showcasing the incredible potential of female-led innovation.
Meet the Innovators: A Diverse Group of Visionaries
This year’s winners represent a diverse range of industries and areas of expertise. From healthcare and technology to sustainability and social impact, these women are driving change and creating solutions to some of the world’s most critical challenges. Among the winners is Ilisha Masaun, a graduate of Coventry University.
Ilisha Masaun: A Trailblazer in Education and Technology
Ilisha Masaun, graduated from the School of EFA, Coventry University, is a 10x award-winning entrepreneur recognized by Santander and The Chamber of Commerce for her impact in education and technology. Diagnosed with dyslexia later in life, Ilisha created an alternative way to learn that challenged the traditional, outdated education system. This approach helped her achieve A*s at school and graduate top of her cohort in Economics from Coventry University.
Ilisha founded Econominds, a revolutionary platform that uses AI to design personalized learning journeys for students. Her goal is simple: to make learning efficient so students can study less and achieve more. Students using Econominds have reduced their study time by 50% and improved grades by 20%. Econominds alumni have consistently outperformed Eton in A-level Economics, achieving 100% A*-B grades for six years. The platform now supports a thriving community of over 30,000 students across seven countries and continues to grow.
Econominds’ resources are grounded in the award-winning Inclusivity Framework, ensuring materials are accessible and relatable. Its customizable interface is designed to support students with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, providing a tailored experience that meets their unique needs. Econominds has also partnered with Samsung to deliver programs that equip students with entrepreneurial skills and the knowledge to create technology with a social impact.
Innovate UK’s Commitment to Gender Equality
Innovate UK is committed to promoting gender equality and supporting women in innovation. The Women in Innovation Awards are part of a broader effort to address the gender gap in entrepreneurship and innovation. By shining a light on the achievements of female entrepreneurs, Innovate UK hopes to inspire more women to pursue careers in these fields and contribute to the growth and development of the economy.
The Impact of the Awards: Driving Change and Innovation
The Women in Innovation Awards have a profound impact on the winners and their businesses. The financial support, mentorship, and resources provided through the program enable these women to scale their businesses, reach new markets, and drive innovation. The awards also help raise awareness of the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and highlight the importance of supporting women in innovation.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Women in Innovation
As Innovate UK continues to support and empower female entrepreneurs, the future of women in innovation looks bright. The success of the Women in Innovation Awards demonstrates the incredible potential of female-led businesses and the positive impact they can have on society and the economy. By fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity, Innovate UK is paving the way for a new generation of women entrepreneurs to thrive and make a difference.
The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards 2025 celebrate the achievements of trailblazing female entrepreneurs who are making a significant impact on society and the economy. Through financial support, mentorship, and access to valuable resources, Innovate UK is empowering these women to scale their businesses and drive innovation. We are especially proud to announce that our graduate, Ilisha Masaun, is one of the winners of this prestigious award. As we look to the future, the success of these awards highlights the importance of supporting women in innovation and promoting gender equality in entrepreneurship.