Cardiff backs Women in Innovation event

An all-day Cardiff event this autumn offers women innovators a chance to network, learn from experts and hear from successful female entrepreneurs.

‘Building Success’, hosted by the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), forms part of Innovate UK’s second Women in Innovation programme.

In 2016 research found 14% of applicants to Innovate UK funding competitions were women – even though success rates between the sexes were largely equal.

Since the first Women in Innovation awards in May 2016, the figure has increased to 24%.

The morning session includes an overview of the funding and finance landscape, including regional support, and future opportunities from Innovate UK.

Four practical workshops, before and after lunch, tackle key issues facing innovators:

• Grant writing: how do you write a successful grant application? How can you make your application stand out and deliver a competitive business case?
• Market validation: this workshop helps female innovators show a clear product route to market and shows how communicate value to customers.
• Innovation canvas: a workshop developed by KTN that sets out a framework for addressing major blocks and issues on the road to innovation.
• Investor readiness: helps innovators understand how to find committed and interested investors, and how to put together a memorable pitch.

Professor Kim Graham, Cardiff University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise, said: “Increasing the number of applications from women for Innovate UK funding is vital for boosting UK productivity, and developing a diverse business sector.  Application rates have increased since the first Women in Innovation event, demonstrating the value of tailored support to address the striking gender disparity in the number of applications.  

“The practical workshops will raise awareness of relevant funding streams, show how to tap into them, and offer positive tips on market readiness and developing collaborative partnerships. They will help prepare women innovators to submit strong applications to Innovate UK, continuing the upwards trajectory toward gender parity in applications.”

Cardiff is the first in a series of four KTN Building Success events across the UK, including Glasgow, London and Belfast.

The event is at Wales Millennium Centre on Monday 5 November. It begins at 8.30am and concludes at 6.30pm with cheese and wine reception.

Open to women in all sectors, it is open to female founders or women developing early-stage start-ups. To sign up for the event, click here.