Now in their eighth year, the Awards have developed a reputation for providing a springboard to growth for finalists and winners by opening doors to new connections and opportunities through the global AccelerateHER and Investing Women Angels network.
We know from experience, and from surveying our members, that using business as a force for good comes very naturally to female founders – it’s something that should be celebrated. And so, we’re bringing a unique new angle to our awards which will be with us for future awards in years to come. As part of the application process, we’ll be asking founders to outline how their business operates as a force for good. We want to celebrate how Scotland’s female founders are giving back to people or the planet, through innovation, no matter what their business does or which category it falls within.
Key dates
One winner from each category will be selected at the live finals on the 16th of March. The prize package is still being finalised, but at a minimum, winners will receive a six-month mentoring package from Investing Women Angels (worth £800). In addition to this, the AccelerateHER Awards have a proven track record of raising the profile of winners and creating opportunities for connections with potential investors, customers, collaborators and more.
Scotland has always been at the forefront of technological breakthrough; and female founders are continuing these rich traditions with cutting edge developments and research. This category is for companies who are using technology to disrupt their sector and drive innovation. It could be through the use of AI, machine learning, or any other type of technology.
In a landscape that’s very much solution driven and where new breakthroughs can be transformative for the wider population – businesses operating within health and wellbeing truly operate for the greater good. This category is for companies who are innovating to create medical advances that benefit the mind or body.
Scotland’s ambitious climate change legislation sets a target of 2045 to have Net Zero emissions of all greenhouse gasses. Innovation and discovery will play a large part in the country reaching this target. This category welcomes applications from companies who are helping to build a Net Zero world by revolutionising their industry, and achieving significant, sustainability results.
Culture has long been an integral part of Scotland’s economy. Through tourism and history, the arts, language, place and the built landscape, Scotland has built a strong economy on its cultural pursuits. Perhaps the most diverse category, Culture welcomes applications from companies who are driving transformation in the cultural and creative sectors. This might incorporate language, music, media, leisure, place and tourism.
