In a remarkable celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Alicja Dzieciol, a pioneering entrepreneur from West Lothian, has been awarded the prestigious Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award. This accolade recognizes her groundbreaking work with SilviBio Ltd, a biotech company based in Livingston that is transforming the way we grow plants sustainably.
A Vision for Sustainable Growth
The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards aim to highlight the contributions of women who are leading the charge in various industries. This year, 50 exceptional women were honored, showcasing their commitment to innovation and sustainability. Among them, Dr. Dzieciol stands out with her innovative product, LatticeGro, designed to address the pressing environmental concerns associated with peat use in horticulture.
Peatlands are vital ecosystems that play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and flood risk management. However, the harvesting of peat for plant growth has significant environmental repercussions. Recognizing this challenge, the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced plans to eliminate peat use by 2030. This decision presents a daunting challenge for growers who rely on peat-based substrates, with estimates suggesting they could face losses exceeding £600 million due to inadequate alternatives.
In response, SilviBio has developed LatticeGro, an innovative peat-free propagation block designed specifically for crops like lettuce. This groundbreaking product allows growers to comply with new regulations without incurring massive infrastructure investments, thereby bolstering British food security.
Innovating for Change
Dr. Dzieciol’s LatticeGro offers a promising solution to this dilemma. This peat-free propagation block is specifically engineered for salad greens and other crops that currently depend heavily on peat due to its favorable properties for transplanting. By utilizing locally sourced raw materials and innovative engineering techniques, SilviBio is paving the way for a more sustainable future in agriculture.
Reacting to the recognition, Dr. Dzieciol said, “This award will help us ensure that LatticeGro and our other products will get into the hands of growers who need it.” By empowering growers with sustainable alternatives, Dr. Dzieciol is not only addressing immediate challenges but also contributing to a legacy of environmental responsibility.
As SilviBio prepares to launch pilot production of LatticeGro this year, Dr. Dzieciol emphasizes the importance of this award for her business and the broader community of growers transitioning away from peat. “This Award is a real gamechanger for my business and the growers we support in their peat-free transition,” she stated. “Together we can achieve a truly sustainable future while ensuring we grow food for our plates and trees for our forests.”
Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs
Dr. Dzieciol is one of four Scottish recipients of this year’s Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award, which received an impressive 1,452 applications from women leaders across the UK. The awards are not just about recognition; they provide substantial support to help these entrepreneurs scale their innovations. Each winner receives a £75,000 grant along with tailored business coaching and networking opportunities.
Kirsty McNeill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland, praised the achievements of these women: “Congratulations to these four fantastic Scottish women whose passion, resilience, and innovation will help inspire a new generation of leaders.” Her sentiments reflect a growing recognition of the need to support women in business—an area where significant barriers still exist.
A Community of Innovators
Since its inception in 2016, the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards have invested over £11 million into supporting female innovators. The initiative not only champions diversity but also aims to unlock substantial economic potential by fostering an inclusive environment where women can thrive as entrepreneurs. Research indicates that increasing female participation in entrepreneurship could contribute an additional £250 billion to the UK economy.
Emily Nott, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Innovate UK, highlighted the importance of these awards: “The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards spotlight the UK’s most groundbreaking women entrepreneurs… Their success stories will undoubtedly pave the way for more women to enter and thrive in the world of innovation.”
Inspiring Future Generations
Dr. Dzieciol’s journey exemplifies how determination and innovative thinking can lead to meaningful change. Her story serves as an inspiration not only to aspiring entrepreneurs but also to those committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. As she embarks on this new chapter with SilviBio, her vision extends beyond her company; it encompasses a broader mission to cultivate sustainable practices within agriculture.
The Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards continue to shine a spotlight on remarkable women like Dr. Alicja Dzieciol who are making strides in their fields while inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams fearlessly. As these innovators push boundaries and challenge norms, they pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future—one where innovation knows no gender limits.
With over a decade of expertise in biobased materials and biocatalysis, Dr. Dzieciol leverages her chemistry background to address one of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today: the reliance on peat for plant propagation.
“I began my entrepreneurship journey to create a truly sustainable future by helping growers sustainably grow more of the food we eat and the trees we plant,” Dr. Dzieciol shares. Her commitment to sustainability has earned her numerous accolades, including the Vodafone Business Women of the Year Innovation Award 2023 and Scottish EDGE’s Net Zero Award at COP 26.
Reflecting on her achievements, Dr. Dzieciol expresses disbelief at her success: “If you told me I would win the Women in Innovation Award when I was setting out, I wouldn’t have believed it possible.” She acknowledges the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, particularly during pitches as an all-woman team compared to mixed teams. Yet, she remains optimistic about the current landscape for women in innovation, crediting initiatives in Scotland and the UK for fostering inclusivity in entrepreneurship.
Her advice to aspiring women innovators is simple yet profound: “Stick to your vision and values. They’ll guide you better than any advice you receive because they’ll lead you to where you want to go rather than where other people want you to go.” Dr. Dzieciol’s story is a testament to resilience and vision, inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams while championing sustainability for our planet.
