WE Innovate National
5 months, 3 phases and £30,000 up for grabs!
WE Innovate National is a university entrepreneurship programme supporting women-led startups across the UK.
Led by
In partnership with
Supporting women-led ventures nationally
WE Innovate began as Imperial College London’s flagship pre‑accelerator, created to support and accelerate women‑led ventures – without taking any equity.
After more than twelve years of demonstrated success, WE Innovate National builds on this foundation by extending the initiative across the UK, forming the country’s first university‑led national network dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs.
This nationwide collaboration brings six universities together to address the structural challenges women face in entrepreneurship. Through a unified curriculum, coordinated support pathways and a vibrant cross‑country community, WE Innovate National is designed to support 175 women‑led teams every year.
Our mission
WE Innovate National is working to ensure that women founders, regardless of region, can access world-class entrepreneurial training and a robust national support ecosystem.
Breakthrough ventures
Support women innovators in developing breakthrough ideas into viable ventures
Connected ecosystems
Strengthen regional innovation ecosystems by connecting them into a unified national network, where women founders are currently underrepresented
Scaling pathways
Create pathways for women to navigate commercialisation, investment and scaling
Inclusive innovation
Build a cohesive, country‑wide coalition championing gender‑inclusive innovation -ensuring equitable access to opportunities no matter where a founder begins
Our aims
01 – Address the persistent gender gap in entrepreneurship
Ensure women‑led ventures, particularly deep-tech and STEM-focused ones, receive the support, visibility, and opportunities they need to thrive.
02 – Strengthen regional entrepreneurship ecosystems
Bring national support directly to regional universities, ensuring equity of access across the UK.
03 – Grow the UK’s innovation and commercialisation pipeline
Help women founders develop high‑potential ventures that contribute to economic growth, job creation and societal impact.
How is the programme run?
WE Innovate National runs an annual programme at each participating university, which founders apply to, and which is delivered regionally.
Every institution leads its own cohort, programme delivery, coaching, and final showcase, creating vibrant hubs of innovation across the UK.
Founders can access support, regional networks, and entrepreneurial ecosystems at each university through joint events and summits.
All universities follow the same three‑phase, six‑month structure, ensuring a consistently high‑quality experience and shared national standards across the entire WE Innovate National network.
What does the programme offer?
Innovation & technical support
Access expertise and specialist knowledge across the UK.
Enterprise development
Commercialisation coaching, business model refinement, fundraising preparation, and access to investors, designed to help overcome the structural barriers women often face in securing investment, building commercial confidence, and navigating early‑stage growth.
Leadership & talent development
Support to strengthen leadership capacity, build effective teams, and foster inclusive company cultures. With a focus on addressing the systemic barriers women often encounter in leadership pathways and ensuring they have the tools, confidence and opportunities to lead and grow diverse organisations.
Networks & ecosystem access
Expanded access to industry partners, investors, mentors, alumni, and regional innovation networks across the country, helping to overcome the structural barriers women often face in accessing influential networks, warm introductions, and decision‑makers in the innovation ecosystem.
Latest News
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit
Another blog or news post
