Since 2003, the Entrepreneur Awards have been shining a spotlight on the exceptional women who are transforming industries, communities and the economy.

Selected from nearly a thousand entries nationwide, this year’s finalists represent the full spectrum of entrepreneurial talent, from pioneering start-ups disrupting traditional sectors to established leaders steering multi-million-pound enterprises and purpose-led founders using business as a force for good. From cutting-edge healthcare and beauty innovation to hospitality, recruitment and food manufacturing, these founders are rewriting the rules across every sector.

But recognition is just the beginning. These awards create real, transformative opportunities by providing a gateway to game-changing partnerships, commercial deals and investment opportunities that can dramatically accelerate business growth.

The stakes have never been higher. Despite the enormous progress made in recent years, the funding gap remains an enduring barrier to women starting and growing their businesses. Only 2p of every £1 of equity investment in the UK goes to fully female-founded businesses – a funding chasm that continues to hold back talented founders. This has huge implications for UK GDP, as up to £250 billion of new value could be added to the economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as men.

To ensure a tangible impact from the awards, headline sponsor Tide will award a £20,000 grant to one exceptional female-founded SME. The recipient will be selected from the cohort of finalists by a judging panel and announced at the awards ceremony on 2nd December.

Nicole Goodwin and Sophie Catto, joint managing directors of AllBright everywoman, said: “Access to funding continues to be one of the greatest challenges faced by women starting and scaling their businesses. The Tide everywoman Entrepreneur Awards exist to change that by creating a powerful ecosystem of role models, mentors, investors and partners who champion female founders. These awards don’t just celebrate success stories but help create them by opening doors to the partnerships and capital that fuel lasting impact.”

Heather Cobb, UK Managing Director at Tide, said: “At Tide, we’re committed to supporting and empowering female founders to start, scale and thrive. We’re proud to be the headline sponsor of this year’s everywoman Entrepreneur Awards, which celebrate the resilience, optimism and innovation of women transforming industries and communities across the UK. While recognition is important, tangible support is vital – that’s why we’re also awarding a £20,000 grant to one exceptional founder to help accelerate the growth of her business. These awards are a testament to the incredible impact women are making in entrepreneurship, and we’re thrilled to play a part in helping them reach even greater heights.”

Andy Gregory, CEO of BGF, said: “The everywoman Awards play a vital role in championing female founders and showcasing the incredible contribution they make to the economy. At BGF, we’re committing at least £300 million to female-powered businesses over the next five years as part of our mission to ensure talented founders have access to the capital and strategic support that’s needed to thrive. We want to see more women with big ideas backed to scale – and we’re working hard to make that a reality across the UK and Ireland.”

The 2025 finalists are…

The Balance Award:

• Rana Righton, Managing Director of The Gluten Free Bakery, from London
• Abi Selby, Founder of Spabreaks.com, from Brighton
• Zoe Williams, Founder of Aegle's, from London

Entrepreneur for Good Award – sponsored by Specsavers:

• Maya Amangeldiyeva, founder of Mayas Community C.I.C, from Herne Bay
• Gillian Ashcroft, Founder of Exceptional Care, from Ormskirk
• Alex Head, Founder & CEO of Social Pantry, from London
• Ruby Raut, CEO of WUKA Ltd, from Welwyn Garden City

International Expansion Award – sponsored by Rathbone Financial Planning:

• Hinna Azeem, founder & creative director of H.AZEEM London, from London
• Karen Hewitt, chief of retail at Character.com, from Swansea

The Next Level Award:

• Toria Chan & Jules Shiel-Boulger, co-founders of STEPS, from Sheffield
• Amy Knight, co-founder & director of Must Have Ideas, from Maidstone
• Jessica Lancaster & Charlotte Stagg, co-founders & CEOs of Coconut Lane UK/Cocopup London, from Witney

Scale Up Award – sponsored by BGF:

• Olivia Bishop, co-founder of Toco Swim Limited, from London
• Julie Collison, director of Clear Strategy Limited, from Dublin
• Niamh Murdock, chief executive officer of The Avoca Clinic, from Dublin

Social Star Award:

• Claudia Bish, director of The Blogger Agent, from Brighton
• Daisy Kelly, founder & CEO of Glow For It, from Hammersmith
• Melissa Neill, founder & CEO of Body By Bikini, from Bristol

Solopreneur Award:

• Katy Fridman, founder of Flexible Working People, from London
• Emma Harper, CEO of Core Plus Tuition Limited, from Banbury
• Leah Rendall, owner & CEO of Callander K9, from Callander
• Erika Tranfield, CEO of Pride Angel, from West Kirby

Small Enterprise Award – sponsored by Tide:

• Dina Jahina, director of ETO, from London
• Lucie Macleod, founder of Hair Syrup, from Goodwick
• Sylvia Oates, CEO of Six Till Six, from Nottingham
• Rosie Skuse, founder & CEO of Molto Music Group, from London

Tech Innovator Award:

• Amber Michelle Hill, founder & CEO of Research Grid, from Norwich
• Katya Linossi, co-founder & CEO of ClearPeople Limited, from London
• Emma O'Brien, founder & CEO of Embridge Consulting, from Kent

The 2025 finalists were chosen by a judging panel comprising some of the UK’s most successful  women in business as well as VCS and investors who are at the forefront of closing the funding  gap with their diverse portfolios. Judges include Chrissie Rucker (founder of The White  Company), Susan Allen (co-founder at Here We Flo), Kelli Aspland (director of Solar Buddies), Yvonne Nagawa (chief of staff at Black Seed Ventures), Sarah Anderson CBE (chief executive at The Listening Place), and  Nell Daly (founder & managing partner at Revenge Capital), amongst others.

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