From removing dangerous chemicals from water in just 30 seconds to transforming how artificial intelligence is used in classrooms, South Australian women are behind some extraordinary innovations, and 14 of them have just been recognised for their groundbreaking work.
The 2026 Women in Innovation Awards were held at Adelaide’s National Wine Centre on Friday night, November 6, celebrating women making a difference across science, technology, healthcare, the environment, creative industries and more.
It was also a big night for five South Australian female entrepreneurs, who received a combined $110,000 in funding through the FoundHer Grant Program to help turn their innovative ideas into thriving businesses.
Among the standout winners was Adelaide University researcher Dr Shervin Kabiri, who took home the Engineering Award for developing technology capable of removing up to 95 per cent of PFAS, commonly known as forever chemicals, from water in just 30 seconds under optimised laboratory conditions.
Meanwhile, Technology Award winner Marissa Bond, founder of Thinking Mode, is tackling one of education’s biggest modern challenges: how to assess whether students genuinely understand their work in an age of generative AI.
Other remarkable innovations included Rebecca Pedler’s use of drones and AI to count abalone on working aquaculture farms with more than 97 per cent accuracy, and Milena Fernandes’ environmental modelling work with SA Water, which has helped identify evidence of approximately 11,000 hectares of seagrass recovery.
Women in Innovation Co-President Melinda Parent said the calibre of this year’s finalists demonstrated how widely innovation is happening across South Australia.
“What is striking about this year’s finalists is not simply the breadth of disciplines represented, but the sophistication of the work,” she said.
“These women are applying research, technology, commercial thinking and lived experience to problems of real consequence – and demonstrating that innovation is taking place in far more settings than we sometimes recognise.”
The awards attracted 141 entries this year, representing growth of more than 300 per cent since 2022.
Meet the 2026 Women in Innovation Award winners
- Creative Industries: Tahli Corin – Threshold
- Emerging Innovation: Professor Chunxia Zhao – Adelaide University / SA Nano
- Engineering: Dr Shervin Kabiri – Adelaide University
- Environment: Milena Fernandes – SA Water
- First Nations Innovation: Trisha Lindgren – Walking on Country / Healthy Self Fitness
- Innovation & Intrapreneurship in Government: Daniela Iliescu – SA Water
- Maths + Data: Yuan Zhang – Adelaide University
- Open Innovation: Katie Donaldson – Praxis
- Rural, Regional & Remote: Rebecca Pedler – Photo AI / Yumbah Aquaculture
- Science: Dr Susan Evans – Alyra Biotech
- Social Impact: Seshnie Taylor – Vocare
- Sustainability: Kelly Johnson – Woodlane Pantry
- Technology: Marissa Bond – Thinking Mode
- Young Innovator: Yun Liu – Adelaide University
Alongside the awards, the FoundHer Grant Program announced its five successful recipients, selected from 246 applications, a 64 per cent increase on last year.
The program provides financial support alongside access to business, legal, financial, intellectual property and wellbeing expertise.
Karen Jones Hauser, founder of The Good Catch, received the $30,000 Elevate Grant for developing a South Australian-made washing machine filter designed to capture microfibres before they enter waterways.
Four additional founders each received a $20,000 Launch Grant:
- Seshnie Taylor – Vocare: Helping multilingual healthcare workers communicate clearly while maintaining their accents and identities.
- Jeannine Malcolm – Mobius Farms: Transforming food and organic waste into valuable protein and fertiliser using insects.
- Tamsin Simounds – JumpProof: Developing absorbent underwear and activewear for women experiencing bladder leakage during exercise.
- Dr Fariba Behnia-Willison – Victoria Graft System / SmartFem: Developing a new approach to pelvic-floor repair using a woman’s own biology.
Seshnie Taylor was recognised twice on the night, receiving both the Social Impact Award and a FoundHer Launch Grant.
Women in Innovation Co-President Dr Cassandra Zaina said the program was designed to provide more than financial assistance.
“FoundHer brings funding together with expertise, connections and practical support. We want to build relationships with these founders that continue beyond the grant itself – and create a network that becomes more valuable as it grows.”
The FoundHer program is delivered in partnership with the South Australian Government through the Office for Small and Family Business.
Minister for Small and Family Business Nadia Clancy said, “Through the State Government’s $8 million Women in Business program, we are supporting FoundHer to help even more women build and grow successful businesses through funding, strategic advice and industry connections.
“For many women, access to capital remains a barrier to growth. Helping address that gap gives more female entrepreneurs the opportunity to bring innovative products and services to market and create jobs.
“I congratulate this year’s grant recipients and look forward to seeing their businesses continue to grow.”
The evening was hosted by journalist and presenter Jess Adamson, with special guest speaker Dr Susan Neuhaus AM CSC and an address from Minister for Women Katrine Hildyard.
For more information about the winners and programs, visit Women in Innovation or FoundHer.
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