A Bournemouth University graduate is one of 50 women to win a ‘Women in Innovation Award’ at a ceremony organised and funded by Innovate UK.
Claire Givens’ start-up company, Equipmii, was shortlisted for the award from over 1,400 applicants.
It designs and produces products, such as prams and hairdryers,that have been specially adapted for shoppers with physical impairments.
It’s estimated that there are 14.6 million people living in the UK with physical impairments and the business aims to connect customers with personalised designs that meet their needs.
As a person living with a physical impairment herself, Claire drew inspiration from her own shopping experiences.
She said: “Like many people during lockdown, I was doing lots of exercise at home.
“I was born with a left arm that finishes beneath the elbow, and I found lots of exercises required you to have equal weight distribution over both hands which wasn’t doing my body much good.
“I developed a height adjustable cube that could give me the support and stability I needed.”
The product went on to be endorsed by the GB Paralympics team and eventually sparked the idea for Equipmii to help others find a range of products that meet their needs.
Claire said: “I know from personal experience how difficult it can be for people to find products which suit their own individual needs, and we’re setting out to fix this problem for both consumers and retailers.”
Claire graduated from BU with a BA (Hons) in Journalism in 2003.
She said: “I loved my time at Bournemouth, and my degree in journalism not only gave me skills in writing, which I still find beneficial today, but also the confidence to pick up the phone and to forge new contacts, which is essential as an entrepreneur.”
Innovate UK, which administers the award each year, provides money and support to help organisations develop their products and services.
As a winner, Claire will receive a £75,000 grant, personalised business coaching and access to business networking and training opportunities.
She said: “It’s thrilling to be recognised through this award, alongside such highly talented and inspirational women and, for Equipmii, it’s a massive validation of our mission.”