Innovative winners of AccelerateHER Awards 2021 revealed

Four pioneering businesswomen and their companies have triumphed in the AccelerateHER Awards 2021.

Rebecca Goss of XGenix came top in the disruptive innovation category. Picture: contributed.

The awards final, staged online, unveiled a winner from each of the four following categories – cleantech and climate; disruptive innovation; medtech and science; and fintech, data science and cyber security – from a shortlist of 12 finalists.

The cleantech and climate winner was Aslihan Penley of Aberdeen-based wave energy technology specialists Zoex Power.

St Andrews-based Rebecca Goss of pharmaceutical sector disrupter XGenix was winner of the disruptive innovation category, while Kate Cameron of Cytochroma won in medtech and science – the Edinburgh biotech company provides a “flexible and ethical” source of liver tissue for preclinical testing.

Sarah Wernér of Husmus came top in the fintech, data science and cyber security section. Picture: contributed.

The fintech, data science and cyber security winner was Sarah Wernér of Husmus, a technology provider supporting tenants and landlords in the private rental market.

The winners will receive a mentoring package from Investing Women Angels and Barclays Eagle Labs, and, as is standard, secure a place on a market-building international trade mission to Europe, North America or the Middle East, planned for later this year.

Last month, Elaine Ford, founder of Electrek Explorer, was named as this year’s AccelerateHER Rising Star. The award is sponsored by Aberdein Considine and Purpose HR, and recognises a female company founder with a “great” early-stage business idea.

The AccelerateHER Awards, sponsored by Barclays and global IT and business consulting services firm CGI, are now in their sixth year. They are also supported by the Scottish government, through its Women in Enterprise Framework and Action Plan to help female entrepreneurs prepare for investment and growth.

Jackie Waring, chief executive of AccelerateHER and Investing Women Angels, said: “Once again, the AccelerateHER Awards has highlighted the increasing numbers of inspiring female founders behind technology, life sciences and environmentally-focused companies.

“This year’s participants add to the growing AccelerateHER network, which now includes over 5,000 female business founders within Scotland and beyond.”

Lindsay McGranaghan, business unit leader for CGI in Scotland and judge at the finals, said: “Again we have seen exceptional quality coming through from the participants who represent a diverse range of innovative businesses. CGI is proud of its close association with the AccelerateHER Awards, an initiative that continues to support and promote aspirational female founders from companies in high-growth-potential sectors.”

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