Dr. Bola Olabisi empowers women innovators globally to patent, develop, and commercialise their creations.
Best known as the founder and CEO of the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network (GWIIN), Bola Olabisi is a prominent Nigerian-British entrepreneur, advocate, and champion for women inventors globally.
The businesswoman didn’t set out to become a global champion for innovation. She once called herself a “failed inventor.” Years ago, when she tried to bring her product idea to market, she was up against a wall without funding, guidance, or visibility. That frustration planted the seed for what would later become a movement.
In 1998, while attending a London exhibition for inventors, she noticed that nearly every face in the room was male. When she asked the organisers why so few women were present, they replied, “Go find them.” And so she did.
That same year, Bola Olabisi launched the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network (GWIIN) from London. What began as a UK-based initiative has since expanded into an international organisation spanning over 30 countries, including Nigeria, Finland, Trinidad, South Africa, Kenya, and Canada. GWIIN assists women innovators in accessing the tools, recognition, and networks they need to bring their ideas to fruition.
Life before GWIIN
Before GWIIN, Olabisi had already carved out a path in law, having studied at the University of East London. But she never forgot the obstacles she faced when trying to invent. GWIIN was her way of changing things by spotlighting female talent, and helping women secure patents, attract investors, and build viable businesses.
Through GWIIN, she established the British Female Inventor & Innovator of the Year Awards. This platform celebrates ideas and brings them to life. Finalists and winners receive access to legal, commercial, and promotional resources, gaining sufficient visibility to attract investment or licensing agreements. Her organisation also provides intellectual property training, business mentoring, and support for pitching innovations to funders.
Over the past two decades, Bola Olabisi has established strategic alliances with international organisations such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), the European Commission, and the International Federation of Inventors Associations (IFIA). These partnerships have enabled GWIIN to influence policy and advocate for gender equity in innovation ecosystems worldwide.
Unlike traditional award bodies, Olabisi ensures that GWIIN strongly emphasises implementation. She has received multiple recognitions from Buckingham Palace and global innovation forums.
Over 25 years, GWIIN has remained one of the few international platforms dedicated solely to women inventors. Under Olabisi’s leadership, it continues to grow, expanding programmes into underserved regions and elevating underrepresented voices.
