Derry tech founder wins £75k Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award

Derry tech innovator Mary Blake, CEO and founder of AI-powered personal archive platform SeeMe, has been awarded £75,000 by Innovate UK's Women in Innovation Awards. Blake, originally from Enniskillen, was one of 61 successful UK applicants from an impressive 1,590 entries. This marks the second Northern Irish recipient in the award's 10-year history, following Pragya Sharma, founder of Belfast-based R&D platform Gran Lab.

The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards, which have invested over £15 million in 260 women founders since 2016, provide successful recipients with 12 months of business support, training, networking, and role-model opportunities. Blake expressed her pride in being recognized as a winner, stating that the award provides tangible support essential for companies like SeeMe aiming to grow globally from a regional base.

Innovate UK's executive chair, Tom Adeyoola, highlighted the cohort's potential to drive economic growth and tackle global challenges. All award recipients, including SeeMe and Gran Lab, will benefit from the program's nationwide resources.