Innovate UK's Women in Innovation Programme: Where Do We Go From Here?

Update from Innovate UK: "As public funders, we must manage our budgets carefully. The decision to only award this number was a mistake and we prioritised wrongly.We recognise the impact this has had on the many applicants, and on the community as a whole, and we apologise wholeheartedly.We confirm we will be funding a total of 50 awards. This represents a total investment of £4m for the current cohort, as originally committed." - Read More

The Innovate UK Women in Innovation (WII) programme was supposed to be a game-changer for female entrepreneurs, a vital step towards breaking down barriers and supporting women-led initiatives. Its mission aligns with the UK's ambition to lead in global innovation.

Yet, recent developments have cast serious doubt on the effectiveness and fairness of this programme.

A Breakdown in Communication

It's obvious from Innovate UK’s recent communications that there's been a serious lapse in how the WII programme is being managed.

While the organisation has acknowledged the confusion and concern stemming from its handling of the programme, its response has been inadequate. A vague apology and a promise to provide a future update fall far short when immediate and clear answers are needed. Hundreds of women, whose livelihoods and futures depend on this funding, deserve better.

Where's the Money?

One of the most pressing issues is the "disappearance" of the £2.1 million earmarked for 25 additional awards.

This raises a critical question: where has this money gone? The lack of transparency surrounding these funds is deeply concerning, especially when so many women have invested their time, effort, and resources into applying, only to be met with uncertainty.

Innovate UK owes the community a full, transparent explanation of where these funds are and what steps will be taken to resolve the issue.

The Numbers Don't Lie

According to a recent Freedom of Information request (FOI 2024/00593), only 1.7% of WII applicants received funding.

This dismal figure is even lower than the already low 2.4% success rate for Innovate UK's other programmes. These statistics highlight the harsh reality facing female innovators in the UK. They raise serious questions about whether Innovate UK's selection processes genuinely support women or if they are skewed in favour of a status quo that historically benefits male applicants.

In the past 24 hours, influential voices like Becky Lodge, Zandra Moore, Emma Jarvis, and many others have come together, demanding real answers and accountability. This isn’t just an outcry; it’s a demand for concrete action. People deserve to know:

• Are the additional 25 awards still going to be granted? If not, how will Innovate UK reallocate these funds?
• How does Innovate UK plan to address the disproportionate impact on women who scored high but still received no funding?
• Will Innovate UK engage in a genuine, transparent dialogue to understand and address these systemic issues?

The Human Impact

The consequences of Innovate UK's mismanagement go beyond disappointing statistics.

Over 1,000 women have had their time and resources wasted, many of whom balanced the application process with other responsibilities, such as childcare during school holidays. These are women who received high scores and positive feedback yet saw no reward. The emotional and professional toll of this failure is significant, underscoring the urgent need for Innovate UK to take meaningful action.

Innovate UK's holding statement isn't enough.

There must be a genuine, two-way conversation to ensure that the organisation's practices are transparent, inclusive, and truly supportive of women in innovation. This is a critical moment for Innovate UK to demonstrate its commitment to fairness and equality, not just through words but through concrete actions.

The UK’s innovation sector cannot thrive if it continues to be seen as an old boys’ club.

Innovate UK must seize this opportunity to listen to the voices calling for change and work collaboratively to ensure that future programmes are fair, transparent, and inclusive, truly reflecting the diverse talent that drives innovation in the UK.