Claire Given never realised that joining Joe Wicks in an online workout would change her life and potentially millions of other people.
The mother-of-two was born with one arm but has never let her disability hold her back.
“If anything, it’s made me more determined,” she told BusinessCloud.
The entrepreneur launched her business Equipmii during Covid whilst isolating with her family and has just been included in the 50 winners of the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards.
She explained: “I was at home with my husband and two little ones – a one-year-old and a three-year-old – while managing two intense work programs.
“Like many people, I turned to exercise to stay sane, doing Joe Wicks’ workouts with the kids.
“But I started to worry – was I doing more harm than good? So many exercises required equal balance across both hands.
“I searched for adaptive fitness products but found nothing. It was isolating and frustrating.
“Rather than feeling sorry for myself, I decided to fix the problem.
“Drawing from my experience working with engineers, I designed two adaptive products – one that helped me do yoga and even a handstand, something I never thought I’d achieve.
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“The best part? Some of the GB Paralympics team used them too. That’s when I realised it wasn’t just my problem.”
Given found that half of disabled people in the UK felt mainstream brands didn’t consider their needs in product design and over 90 per cent said product descriptions lacked essential details.
“Imagine you have one hand, or you’re a wheelchair user, and you’ve just had a baby. You need a pram,” she said. “Do you think the design or product description has considered your needs? Sadly, the answer is ‘no’.”
Before setting her business up, the Bournemouth University graduate ran a Europe-wide programme for the Raspberry Pi Foundation and the European Space Agency.
“The skills I developed there helped pave the way for Equipmii,” she said.
“I also worked for Bupa Healthcare and ran my own social enterprise.
“Each of these experiences shaped my ability to build something that could make a real impact.”
Equipmii is now building a product-matching engine powered by the lived experiences of thousands of people with physical impairments.
It is currently onboarding companies interested in testing its technology for its launch in Q3 2025.
On being included in the UK Women in Innovation Awards, Given said: “It was incredible. To be recognised alongside so many inspiring women was a huge honour.
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“The financial support from the award is helping us build V2 of our matching engine and scale our business.
“We’re on a mission to make a real impact on both the economy and society.”
The awards, which attracted 1,452 applications from female-founded and female-led businesses, gave 50 successful applicants £75,000 to develop their ideas.
They will also receive personalised business coaching and access to networking, role modelling and training opportunities.
The project has been set up in an attempt to promote more female-led businesses.
As a female founder, Given said: “It’s not easy. It takes relentless drive, and you have to be able to pick yourself up after every setback.
The 50 winners of the Innovate UK Women in Innovation Awards
“Finding the right team and investors who share your vision and values is crucial. When you do, it makes all the difference.”
Despite there being downsides to the job role, the tech boss added: “I love building something from the ground up – taking an idea, testing, refining, and then bringing it to market. That part of being a founder is amazing.”
Growing up with one arm, Given surrounded herself with people who ‘saw her for who she was’, admitting that her experiences have made her a good judge of character.
She shared her tips for other female founders and those aspiring to start their own business.
“Trust yourself. In the early days, you’ll get a lot of advice – some good, some not,” she said.
“You know your product better than anyone. Listen, consider the input, but ultimately, you decide what’s right.
“Build a strong support network, and don’t forget to look after yourself.
“Burnout is real, and maintaining a work-life balance is essential for the long game.”