NEWS18 November 2024
As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Surrey Research Park is celebrating the achievements of its thriving community of women entrepreneurs, highlighting their contributions to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Among the recent standouts is Dr Alison Callwood, founder of the University of Surrey spin-out Sammi-Select, an advanced online interview and assessment platform designed to tackle bias against neurodivergent individuals.
Alison’s work empowers underrepresented groups to access new opportunities, making a tangible impact on diversity and inclusion in recruitment.
Recently, her innovation has earned her a prestigious UKRI Purple Plaque, awarded as part of Innovate UK’s Women in Innovation initiative. The Purple Plaque honours inspirational women in STEM, and it is designed to inspire the next generation of women innovators.
Along with being a successful entrepreneur, Alison is also a Senior Lecturer in Integrated Care (Midwifery) and a founder of Tech4Good.
The Surrey Research Park Business Incubator Effect
Sammi-Select is a member of Surrey Research Park’s business incubator, powered by the SETsquared Partnership—ranked the UK’s No.1 business incubator by the Financial Times.
Through the programme, Alison and the Sammi-Select team have gained bespoke investor readiness training, professional mentoring, access to a vibrant network of entrepreneurs and a range of exclusive discounts.
A Launchpad for Women Innovators & Entrepreneurs
Surrey Research Park has long been a launchpad for women entrepreneurs making a mark in their fields, with Alison joining an illustrious group of Purple Plaque awardees in the Surrey Research Park community.
They include:
- Dr Anna Vartapetiance, founder of Securium, who was recognised for her pioneering use of technology to protect businesses and vulnerable people online.
- Dr Shakar Jafari, founder of TRUEInvivo, is revolutionising cancer treatment with a low-cost method to measure medical radiation doses.
These inspiring entrepreneurs demonstrate how Surrey Research Park, in collaboration with the University of Surrey, provides the resources, spaces and community needed to drive innovation and empower business leaders.
As the home of the Surrey Women’s Entrepreneurship Network (SWEN), the Park is supporting more women entrepreneurs to build and lead successful businesses.
If you’re an entrepreneur ready to accelerate your business growth, Surrey Research Park offers unmatched expertise, collaborative spaces, and a supportive network to help you thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
Get in touch today to find out how joining the Park community could support your business to grow.