LOCAL entrepreneur Liana Fricker has been selected as a finalist for the ‘Inspirational Womxn in the Industry’ category as part of the international Startups Magazine Hustle Awards.

Liana is founder of Inspiration Space, a Woking-based support service for startups and small businesses. established in the town in 2018.

“Liana’s work has empowered countless entrepreneurs to overcome challenges and achieve success. Her dedication to mentorship, environmental stewardship and championing underrepresented groups is how she continues to inspire and transform the lives of many in the industry,” the Startups Magazine team said as they unveiled the shortlist for the awards.

Inspiration Space cultivates creativity and entrepreneurship across a diverse range of sectors. Originally a networking group and community, the Covid-19 pandemic saw them pivot into mentorship and education under Liana’s leadership.

Joined by non-executive director and former CEO of Compass PLC, Nigel Scarfe, and Pamela Iannotti, a retired venture capitalist and senior lecturer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at  the University of Winchester, Inspiration Space has delivered over 7,000 hours of intensive 1:1 mentorship and group education.

Liana has been instrumental in investing more than £100,000 in women-led startups and supporting more than 200 women entrepreneurs in their journey to success.

“I am truly honoured to be recognised amongst so many inspirational women in the industry,” she said.

“This nomination is a testament to the work my team and I have been doing at Inspiration Space to support startups, small businesses and ‘Companies of One’, particularly in the areas of sustainability, education, and tech for good.”

Liana was grateful for the support she had received from local business hubs in growing Inspiration Space.

“The Business Liaison Team at Woking Works were instrumental to our success in the early days,” she said. “From the business support I received as a fledgling founder to the opportunity to collaborate directly through Startup Woking from 2018-2020, Woking has always ‘walked the walk’ when it comes to championing small business.” 

Recognised as one of the “Most Influential Women of 2022”, Liana said she remain determined to foster inclusivity, create opportunities and drive growth in a challenging business landscape.

Founders from Inspiration Space, including Woking-based gaming company, Atom Universe, have gained entry into internationally-recognised accelerators such as TechStars and Antler, thanks to the support received from Inspiration Space.

In 2019, Liana joined Sally Pritchett, co-founder and CEO of Woking-based company, Something Big! to 10 Downing Street as part of a specially selected group for entrepreneurs whose perspectives on the small business landscape was sought.