Female Fusion announced the winners of its inaugural 2025 Female Fusion Awards at a special award ceremony, honouring women entrepreneurs and female-led businesses for outstanding achievement and growth throughout 2025.

The Female Fusion Awards recognise measurable business performance and impact achieved during 2025. Independently judged and not pay-to-win, the awards were open to all women entrepreneurs in the UAE, with sponsors excluded to ensure transparency.

“We created these awards because there’s very little real recognition for small and growing businesses,” said Jen Blandos, Founder and CEO of Female Fusion. “Too much of it is either for large corporates or it’s paid for. We wanted something that founders could genuinely earn. If someone looks back in five years and says winning this award was one of the moments that helped them step up, grow faster or think bigger, then we’ve done our job. This was our first year. We’re just getting started.”

2025 Female Fusion Awards Winners

• Heriot-Watt University Entrepreneur of the Year
  Dr. Anna Zickerman, UPANDRUNNING
• Crimson Legal Small Business of the Year
  Vanessa Gia Bayma, CBC Consultancy and Events
• Letswork Solopreneur of the Year
  Qadreya Al Awadhi, Bumblebee (Food)
• Jacky’s Business Solutions Young Female Founder of the Year (Under 30)
  Tia Simone Watson, LittleXWolf
• Market Buzz Impact & Sustainability Award
  Theresa Tsui, Skills3 Creative Enterprise for Social Impact
• TLB Business Advisory Services Ecommerce Business of the Year
  Latika Chawla, Giftbag.ae
• Professional Services Business of the Year
  Jenna Jenkins, Luxe Incorporations Corporate Services Providers LLC
• Address Beach Resort Food & Beverage Business of the Year
  Vanessa Gia Bayma, CBC Consultancy and Events
• Health & Wellness Business of the Year
  Dr Anna Zickerman, UPANDRUNNING
• Fashion & Beauty Business of the Year
  Layla Alhajjaj, Boho Salon

“Judging the Female Fusion Awards gave us a first-hand view of the ambition, resilience and capability of women building businesses across the UAE,” said Dr Nermeen Mustafa, Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

“It was inspiring to see founders combining strategic clarity with courage and determination to scale their ventures. At Heriot-Watt University Dubai, we place strong emphasis on practice-led learning and meaningful industry engagement. Recognising real entrepreneurial achievement and supporting initiatives that empower women in business strengthens the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region,” she added.

Winning came with practical support – including legal services for contract drafting, PR support, mentorship, memberships and co-working access.

Reacting to the win, Dr. Anna Zickerman, Founder of UPANDRUNNING, said: “To be named Heriot-Watt University Entrepreneur of the Year is a huge honour. It feels validating to have the business recognised in this way. The three months of PR support is a tremendous prize, and I’m excited to use it to expand our reach and strengthen our brand.”

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