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🚀 New £10 Million Competition Launched to Back Women-Led Innovation in the UK

The UK government has launched a bold new initiative to support women entrepreneurs breaking new ground in science, tech, and innovation.

The Women in Innovation: Advancing Venture and Entrepreneurship (WAVE) 2025 competition will award up to ÂŁ10 million in grant funding to support female-founded businesses across the country. Delivered by Innovate UK, this scheme aims to help women turn bold ideas into real-world commercial ventures.

“This is about unlocking the vast untapped potential of women in innovation,” said a spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade.

💡 What’s on Offer?

The competition will provide:

  • ÂŁ75,000 grants for successful applicants
  • Tailored business support including mentoring and networking
  • A platform to raise visibility for female role models in innovation

It’s open to women founders and co-founders across the UK who have the drive and vision to bring breakthrough ideas to market.

🔍 Why It Matters

This wave of funding follows a growing commitment across public and private sectors to close the gender gap in entrepreneurship—a mission shared by the Invest in Women Fund, which champions structural change and catalytic capital for female-led businesses.

Research consistently shows that women entrepreneurs face unique barriers when accessing early-stage funding and innovation infrastructure. WAVE 2025 directly addresses this gap with both capital and wraparound support.

🤝 An Ecosystem of Support

The WAVE 2025 initiative aligns with broader efforts like the ÂŁ250 million Invest in Women Fund, which continues to shape a more equitable investment landscape. Together, these programmes are building a pipeline from grassroots innovation to scalable impact.

As the Invest in Women Hub continues to spotlight and support funding access for female founders, initiatives like WAVE 2025 serve as a vital launchpad for the next generation of change-makers.

đź“… How to Apply

Applications for WAVE 2025 are now open and close on 11 September 2025 at 11am BST. Women across sectors—whether in AI, biotech, green tech or creative industries—are encouraged to apply.

đź”— Full details and how to apply:
www.business.gov.uk/campaign/women-advancing-venture-and-entrepreneurship-competition-wave-2025