The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards is celebrating 50 women leading the charge in groundbreaking industries, 4 of which are pioneering agritech startups—Albotherm, Lambda, Rookwood Operations, and SilviBio.
These female-led ventures are at the forefront of tackling some of the most pressing challenges in global agriculture, from enhancing food security to mitigating the environmental impact of farming.
Agriculture is facing unprecedented challenges with climate change leading to issues like soil degradation, causing shrinking of existing arable land. Global warming also causes crops to become heat stressed, limiting crop yields at a time where they need to increase by 50% to ensure future food security. Moreover, many of our current agricultural practices are further exacerbating these issues and causing further environmental damage.
Innovations in agritech are critical to ensuring a resilient food system, and these award-winning startups are demonstrating how cutting-edge technology and scientific advancements can drive positive change. From Albotherm’s temperature-responsive materials to Lambda’s photosynthesis boosting films, Rookwood’s nutrient recovery systems, and SilviBio’s peat-free growing substrates, these companies are setting new benchmarks for sustainable agriculture.
Despite the vital role women play in global food production, female entrepreneurs in agritech continue to face significant barriers, including limited access to funding and industry networks. The Women in Innovation Award seeks to recognise and support women driving change in the sector, highlighting the importance of diverse leadership in shaping the future of sustainable farming. Recent data across all Innovate UK competitions shows that 1 in 3 successful grant applications are now led by women, a significant jump from 1 in 7 when Women in Innovation was first launched. By celebrating the achievements of women led companies this award aims to inspire more women to pursue careers as business leaders
