Global Recognition: Third Place Worldwide at the Triple E Awards
We’re thrilled to share that our SDG5 Living Lab, developed in partnership with Women’s Enterprise Scotland, has been named Global 3rd Place in the Female Entrepreneurship Empowerment category at the ACEEU Global Triple E Awards 2025 in Prague!
The Triple E Awards celebrate Entrepreneurship and Engagement Excellence in Higher Education, recognising institutions and initiatives that are shaping the future of education through innovation, inclusion, and impact. To be honoured on a global stage, just one year after launching the SDG5 Living Lab, is an incredible milestone for Edinburgh Napier University and our partners.
The SDG5 Living Lab champions gender equality and inclusive entrepreneurship by addressing barriers such as access to finance, networks, and mentorship. The initiative empowers women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs through gender-aware business support, tailored training, and collaborative programming designed to build sustainable ventures.
Through a layered system of support, including 1:1 gender-aware business advice, co-designed courses, discretionary funding, and bespoke leadership development, the Lab is tackling structural barriers to enterprise and innovation.
Since its launch in 2024, the SDG5 Living Lab has reached over 200 individuals and organisations, distributed £11,500 through its discretionary fund, and created Scotland’s first Startup Huddle for Women and Non-Binary Entrepreneurs. It has also embedded dedicated support for neurodivergent founders and funded a range of creative, sustainable, and social ventures.
In just one year, the initiative has expanded across three institutions - Edinburgh Napier University, Queen Margaret University, and Edinburgh College, and driven a 15% increase in women’s engagement with Edinburgh Napier’s enterprise hub, Bright Red Triangle.
This recognition celebrates the power of co-created, inclusive innovation to build more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems for the future.
National Recognition: Inclusive Enterprise Education Award
Meanwhile, in Manchester, our Head of Enterprise Nick Fannin was nominated for the Enterprise Educators UK (EEUK) Inclusive Enterprise Education Award at the annual International Enterprise Educators Conference (IEEC2025). Representing Nick on the night, Pete McLean proudly accepted a Highly Commended Certificate, highlighting our team’s continued leadership in embedding inclusion and innovation into enterprise education.
From local partnerships to global recognition, these two awards are a powerful reminder of the ripple effect that inclusive enterprise can create. Whether through the SDG5 Living Lab, Bright Red Triangle programmes, or the wider university community, our mission remains the same: to empower people to turn ideas into action and innovation into positive change.
A huge congratulations to all nominees and winners, and heartfelt thanks to our partners, colleagues, and participants who make this work possible.
Now, as we step into a new academic year, we’re building on this momentum,expanding our reach, deepening our collaborations, and continuing to shape a more equitable and sustainable future through enterprise.
Here’s to another year of empowering entrepreneurs, breaking barriers, and driving change!