To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether the Government provides financial support for an awards scheme specifically for outstanding female entrepreneurs and businesswomen.

Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency, is continuing its mission to challenge the disproportionately low numbers of women entrepreneurs in the UK through its inaugural ‘infocus – Women in Innovation’ competition.

Launched in May 2016, the nationwide competition aimed to increase the number of women led applications for Innovate UK funding opportunities. Each winner was awarded £50,000, a tailored business support package and was paired with a business mentor. The winners of the first competition were announced in November 2016.