In its 22nd year, the prestigious everywoman Entrepreneur Awards continues to celebrate the UK’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs, honoring women of all ages and backgrounds for their significant contributions to the British economy.
Launched in 2003, the everywoman Entrepreneur Awards aim to uncover and amplify the stories of resilience, innovation, and success of female-led businesses. These stories inspire and encourage more women to start and grow their own ventures. Over the years, everywoman has worked with government, industry bodies, and the corporate sector to increase the number of female entrepreneurs and dismantle barriers, particularly in accessing funding and scaling businesses.
Despite making up only 1.6% of UK businesses, high-growth companies create £160 billion in turnover and employ around 775,000 people. However, for every £1 of equity investment in the UK, only 2p goes to fully female-founded businesses—a figure that has remained unchanged for a decade. This funding gap and lack of female role models are significant barriers for women in business. The UK government aims to increase the number of female entrepreneurs by 50% by 2030, adding 600,000 businesses to the market and boosting the economy by £250 billion.
Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder of everywoman, commented: “Since launching everywoman 25 years ago, we have seen the impact of role models and storytelling. Sharing the stories of women’s journeys, especially their challenges in accessing finance, encourages others to achieve success. The work of everywoman in showcasing these business founders as innovators and wealth creators is crucial for the future of UK enterprise.”
The 2024 award categories include:
– **THE BALANCE AWARD**: For a woman who founded her business while raising a child/children aged 12 or under.
– **BRAND OF THE FUTURE**: For a female founder who identified a market gap and shows great growth potential.
– **ENTREPRENEUR FOR GOOD AWARD**: For a woman who founded a business contributing to the greater good, focusing on social enterprise, diversity, inclusion, or sustainability.
– **INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION AWARD**: For a female founder who successfully expanded her product/service to a new geographic market.
– **THE NEXT LEVEL AWARD**: For a female founder with a highly profitable business (above £1,000,000 EBITDA).
– **SCALE UP AWARD**: Celebrates a woman who founded a company in a period of high growth.
– **SOCIAL STAR AWARD**: For a woman who significantly grew or launched her business using social media.
– **SOLOPRENEUR AWARD**: For a woman running a business as an independent sole trader.
– **SMALL ENTERPRISE AWARD**: Celebrates a woman who founded a profitable business with fewer than 25 employees.
– **TECH INNOVATOR AWARD**: Recognizes a woman creating innovative tech driving industry change.
Daina Spedding, investor at BGF and judge for the everywoman Entrepreneur Awards, said: “We are thrilled to sponsor the awards for the third year. The program aligns with BGF’s mission to increase the flow of capital to women in business. A diverse entrepreneurial landscape makes the economy more dynamic, and BGF supports ambitious female founders with strategic support, connections, and growth capital.”
The judging panel includes successful women in business, VCs, and investors committed to closing the funding gap. Last year’s judges included Chrissie Rucker (Founder of The White Company), Mandy Nyarko MBE (Angel Investor at Ada Ventures), Connie Nam (Founder of Astrid and Miyu), and Yvonne Nagawa (Chief of Staff at Black Seed Ventures).
For more information or to nominate yourself or someone you know, visit [everywoman Entrepreneur Awards](https://www.everywoman.com/entrepreneur-awards/).