FemTech startups share in £3.75 million Innovate UK awards
£75,000 awarded to 50 female-founded startups
Innovate UK has revealed the trailblazing female innovators to watch in 2025, including four FemTech start-ups who will each share in the £3.75 million award.
In total, the Innovate UK ‘Women in Innovation’ Awards has selected 50 female-founded startups who each receive £75,000.
Among them is Lucy Hope, the entrepreneur behind The Daughters of Mars, a tampon with patented prebiotic coating designed to support the vaginal microbiome. These tampons offer a proactive way for women to care for their vaginal health and tackle preventable conditions that affect billions globally.
“Winning this award enables us to move closer to launching a product that could improve the lives of one in three women,” said Lucy.
“Supporting the vaginal microbiome is the next frontier in preventative women’s health,. Women have been underserved for too long with products that don’t prioritise their needs. Menstrual health is still stigmatised, even in 2025.
“I wanted to give women a proactive, scientifically validated alternative to repeated antibiotic treatments. In the UK alone, 75.4 million tampons are used and disposed of monthly – that’s 75.4 million missed opportunities to support vaginal health instead of compromising it. By disrupting the market, we aim to empower women to take control of their menstrual and vaginal health and reduce the need for antibiotics.”
Controversial awards
The Innovate UK awards stirred backlash last September when it was revealed that 50 awards were to be cut to just 25 in total. A social media campaign led to a u-turn with Innovate UK committing to the full 50 grants as originally promised.
Research highlights significant hurdles for women entrepreneurs, including access to funding, and a lack of networks and visible role models. Despite growth in FemTech funding, only 2% of venture capital in 2023 went to women’s health startups, highlighting the urgent need for change.
The Innovate UK Awards drew 1,452 applications from women business leaders, 52% up on last year. This record-breaking engagement highlights the high demand for innovation support and potential to drive economic growth from women leading businesses in the UK. In total, £3.75 million in government funding is being awarded.
FemTech winners
Other winners with a FemTech business include Samantha Jackman’s Boost which develops breast protheses for women post-masectomy; Divya Varma of BirthGlide which is developing medical device to improve childbirth safety; and Dupe Burgess of Bloomful, which is a mobile app offering personalised support for gynaecological conditions.
Dr Stella Peace, Interim Executive Chair of Innovate UK, said:
“The Women in Innovation programme is a powerful catalyst for change, not just for the brilliant women entrepreneurs it supports, but for the entire UK innovation landscape.
“By breaking down barriers and amplifying diverse voices, Innovate UK are fostering a more inclusive and dynamic ecosystem that drives progress across all sectors. This programme is about more than funding – it's about creating role models, building networks, and inspiring the next generation of women innovators to dream big and transform our world.”