2026 Finalist – Lucy Hope
From international singer to women’s health innovator with a mission to revolutionise menstrual health through science.
Lucy is the founder of The Daughters of Mars, a pioneering women’s health start-up developing the world’s first patented bioactive tampon designed to protect the vaginal microbiome during menstruation and prevent bacterial vaginosis, a condition affecting one in three women globally. By replacing outdated menstrual materials with clinically validated, microbiome-supportive technology, Lucy is helping reshape how women’s health is understood, prioritised and treated.
Her work sits at the forefront of the rapidly growing FemTech movement, where science, innovation and advocacy combine to close the longstanding gender health gap.
Through The Daughters of Mars, Lucy is challenging decades of neglect in women’s gynaecological research and championing solutions designed specifically for female biology.
Lucy’s pioneering work has already attracted significant support and recognition. She has secured over £1 million in health tech funding to advance her research and product development. In recognition of her groundbreaking innovation and leadership, she was awarded the prestigious Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award 2025 and named among North West Business Insider’s “42 Under 42”, celebrating emerging leaders shaping the future of industry.
An alumna of the renowned FemTech Lab accelerator, Lucy is part of a global community of founders working to improve women’s health through technology and research. Her work has also led to her selection for Manchester’s Exchange accelerator, a programme supporting high-growth technology founders tackling complex global challenges.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Lucy has become a respected voice advocating for greater awareness and reform in women’s health.
She has spoken at influential venues including the Royal Society, Westminster and the Victoria & Albert Museum, as well as international research forums focused on women’s health, textile innovation and regulatory reform. Through these platforms she continues to highlight the urgent need for research, funding and innovation in female healthcare.
What makes Lucy’s journey particularly unique is the creative path that led her into science and entrepreneurship. Before entering the world of health technology, Lucy was an accomplished professional singer, performing internationally and releasing an album of French songs written by Nobel Prize winning author Patrick Modiano. This artistic background continues to shape her work today, allowing her to communicate complex scientific ideas with clarity, creativity and emotional resonance.
Lucy brings the same creativity and storytelling to her mission to transform menstrual health.
By reframing menstruation as a vital sign of women’s overall health, she is helping to shift the conversation from stigma and silence to science, empowerment and innovation.
Her work is driven by a powerful belief: that women deserve healthcare solutions designed with the same rigour, research and investment historically directed toward other areas of medicine.
Lucy will be sharing her story at the 34th annual Inspiring Women Awards on 15th May 2026 at The Lowry Hotel. More details here