Championing novel solutions to some of the world’s most urgent social, environmental and economic challenges, the Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF) programme has announced 69 entrepreneurs from 12 countries who will benefit from its bespoke entrepreneurial support.
Now entering its twelfth year, the programme continues to enable purpose‑driven innovation across low- and middle-income countries, supporting problem solvers whose technologies are driving lasting global impact.
The 2026 cohort brings together entrepreneurs working across a broad range of sectors, from food security and AI to MedTech and inclusive design. Some examples of the disruptive solutions being spearheaded include:
- An AI-powered hearing device translating sound into rhythmic vibrations, supporting audio communication for those with hearing loss.
- A gravity-assisted water purification system, providing affordable access to clean water for underserved communities.
- A compact, noiseless vertical wind turbine producing clean, sustainable energy for local communities
This year, 47 innovators will join the LIF Global programme, strengthening their entrepreneurial mindset to help commercialise the novel technologies they are developing. LIF Global provides world-leading training, mentoring and networking opportunities to support early‑stage entrepreneurs in accelerating their route to market. LIF Global 2026 is made possible through funding from the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
A further 22 innovators have been selected for the Advance programme, which supports entrepreneurs who have a customer‑validated product that they want to rapidly scale and internationally expand. Advance 2026 will focus on the theme of ‘Accessibility, Assistive and Inclusive Technologies’, bolstering cutting-edge inventions that champion a more equitable and inclusive future for all. This year’s programme is a collaboration between the Royal Academy of Engineering and Global Disability Innovation Hub, part of the AT2030 programme, which is funded by UK International Development.
Since its launch in 2014, the LIF programme has supported over 1,585 entrepreneurs from 19 countries, helping cutting-edge innovation to reach the market, scale, and deliver lasting impact. Collectively, LIF entrepreneurs have gone on to:
- Create over 11,000 skilled jobs.
- Raise more than $603 million in further funding.
- Register over 2,320 IPs.
Leaders in Innovation Fellowship (LIF) programme 2026 cohort
Upon completion of the programme, the 2026 cohort will join our international alumni network, ‘LIF Community’, to access continued opportunities for training, networking, and peer support. Alumni also become part of our prestigious global network of Fellows, entrepreneurs, investors and government officials, who can help to support and enhance their continued entrepreneurial growth.
Chair of the LIF Steering Group Ian Ritchie CBE FREng says:
“The Leaders in Innovation Fellowships programme is designed to accelerate the progress of impactful technology through rigorous training, strategic mentorship, and a far-reaching international network. By supporting entrepreneurs to refine their ideas, strengthen their ventures, and expand their global reach, LIF is helping to shape solutions that will drive meaningful, long‑term impact for communities worldwide.”
Director of Enterprise Ana Avaliani says:
“As we welcome the LIF 2026 cohort, I am inspired by the ingenuity and determination of these entrepreneurs, whose innovations are tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The Leaders in Innovation Fellowships programme continues to champion purpose-driven solutions whether in clean energy, assistive technology, or inclusive design, empowering innovators to deliver real, lasting impact in their communities and beyond. We are proud to support this new cohort of changemakers as they accelerate their journey from breakthrough idea to global impact.”
LIF Innovator of the Year 2025 Kelvin Mulama says:
“Startup support from the Leaders in Innovation Fellowships programme was a game changer. LIF Global was my first experience as an entrepreneur, and the programme guided me through designing our prototype and building the minimum viable product that later generated our first revenues. Through top-tier mentorship, I learned how to validate business assumptions, identify what customers were truly willing to pay for, and understand the talent gaps within my team.”
Notes for editors
- The Leaders in Innovation Fellowships (LIF) programme supports talented entrepreneurs from around the globe to turn their engineering innovations into impactful, sustainable businesses. We nurture bold, scalable innovations from all areas of engineering and technology that are addressing some of the world’s most complex environmental, economic, and societal challenges. We don’t take any fee, equity or IP.
- The Royal Academy of Engineering creates and leads a community of outstanding experts and innovators to engineer better lives. As a charity and a Fellowship, we deliver public benefit from excellence in engineering and technology and convene leading businesspeople, entrepreneurs, innovators and academics across engineering and technology. As a National Academy, we provide leadership for engineering and technology, and independent, expert advice to policymakers in the UK and beyond. Our work is enabled by funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, corporate and university partners, charitable trusts and foundations, and individual donors.