The Company of Entrepreneurs Trust has announced GenScan AI, founded by Mary-Brenda Akoda, as the winner of the Entrepreneurs’ Award in Social Innovation 2026 (EASI26), following an inspiring Final in London.

EASI is one of the initiatives through which the Company of Entrepreneurs Trust supports entrepreneurs whose innovations have the potential to deliver meaningful positive social impact. Alongside financial support, the programme draws on the considerable experience, expertise and networks of members of the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, giving finalists access to the kind of practical guidance and connections that can help promising ventures progress.

This year attracted 83 applications, demonstrating both the strength of the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the growing number of founders using innovation to tackle significant societal challenges.

Following a rigorous judging process, five outstanding businesses were selected to pitch at the EASI26 Final on 18 May.  

EASI26 Winner: GenScan AI

 The judges selected Mary-Brenda Akoda, founder of GenScan AI, as the EASI26 winner.

Mary-Brenda is an AI research scientist at Imperial College London and former Microsoft engineer. GenScan AI is developing groundbreaking AI technology designed to reduce MRI scan times by up to 90%, with the potential to make diagnostic imaging faster, more accessible and more efficient for patients and healthcare providers around the world.

As the EASI26 winner, GenScan AI receives the £10,000 EASI prize, together with ongoing support during the year ahead.

Celebrating the EASI26 Finalists

 The standard of this year’s finalists was exceptionally high, with each business demonstrating a powerful combination of innovation, entrepreneurial ambition and social impact.

Alongside GenScan AI, the EASI26 finalists were:

• Zoe Robson – Joyvié Health Ltd, developing an innovative solution to improve dignity and quality of life for people living with faecal incontinence and those who care for them.
• Gracie Broom – Reporti, using technology to address an important social challenge through a new approach to reporting and support.
• Jeanne Bégon-Lours and Lucy Dain-Williams – Tera Mira, developing an innovative venture with the potential to create meaningful positive impact.
• Dr Eleanor Jaskowska and Lizzie Melhuish – Avanc, combining expertise and innovation to tackle an important unmet need.

We are grateful to the judges who had an incredibly difficult decision to make in choosing the winner: Judy Hadden, Rita W Bologna FRSA, Sandra Roycroft-Davis, Mark Huxley FRSA and Tony Matharu.