Open to UK startups trading for less than three years improving people’s health, wellbeing, confidence or quality of life. This includes beauty and personal care brands, wellness products, fitness and recovery, nutrition, and services supporting physical or mental wellbeing.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years selling products or services to other organisations. This includes consultancies, management and operational support, specialist B2B providers, and solutions that help businesses run more efficiently, grow revenue or improve performance.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years operating in construction or serving the built environment. This includes contractors and trades, building services and maintenance, property services, retrofit and compliance, and innovations that improve quality, safety, sustainability or efficiency.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years creating and selling products directly to consumers. This includes fashion and accessories, home and lifestyle, gifts, personal care, and any consumer brand building strong demand through standout products and brands.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years delivering services directly to consumers. This includes in-person or at-home services, memberships and subscriptions, experiences, family and lifestyle services, and convenience-led businesses built around excellent customer experience.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years in the creative industries. This includes media and entertainment ventures, content and production businesses, creators and studios, design-led brands, publishing, live experiences, and businesses commercialising creative ideas or IP.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years that are digital-first, where the core product or delivery is online. This includes apps, SaaS platforms, marketplaces, digital tools, online communities and services using digital channels as the primary way to serve customers.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years improving learning and development. This includes training providers, coaching and upskilling businesses, edtech platforms, employer training solutions, and innovations that increase access, engagement or outcomes.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years producing, serving or selling food and drink. This includes packaged brands, direct-to-consumer propositions, hospitality concepts with a product focus, innovative ingredients, and businesses rethinking how we eat and drink.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years that are already building an international footprint or serving customers beyond the UK. This includes exporting, operating across multiple markets, and businesses demonstrating strong global demand with a scalable model.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years founded by current students or recent graduates. This category recognises early-stage businesses built from fresh talent or university-born insight, showing strong momentum, ambition and clear potential for growth.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years delivering meaningful environmental impact. This includes low-carbon solutions, renewable and energy efficiency innovations, circular economy models, sustainable products and materials, and businesses reducing waste or emissions.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years in hospitality, travel, tourism or events. This includes accommodation and venue concepts, experiences and attractions, event businesses, travel services, and tech-enabled models improving guest experience and operations.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years where innovation is central to the business, whether through technology, IP, new business models or a step-change in outcomes. This includes high-impact innovations across sectors such as finance, healthcare, sustainability and beyond.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years designing, engineering or manufacturing products at scale. This includes hardware, advanced manufacturing, industrial innovation, automation, materials development, and businesses strengthening supply chains through smarter production.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years crafting strategic campaigns, designing attention-grabbing advertisements, and managing public relations to enhance a brand's visibility and reputation. These startups use creativity and communication skills to help businesses reach their target audience and achieve their goals.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years delivering expert professional services to clients. This includes marketing and communications, recruitment, finance, legal, HR, advisory and specialist consultancy.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years selling products through retail or online channels. This includes e-commerce brands and retailers, subscription retail models, marketplaces, and businesses innovating in customer journey, merchandising, fulfilment or community-led commerce.

Open to UK startups trading since Jan 1st 2025 showing exceptional early momentum and standout potential. This award recognises an emerging business that is moving quickly, winning customers, and demonstrating the foundations for significant future growth.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years creating positive social and/or environmental impact alongside commercial success. This includes mission-led businesses and social enterprises with clear evidence of outcomes, a sustainable model, and purpose embedded in how they operate.

Open to UK startups trading for less than three years where technology is the core product and driver of scale. This includes software, hardware, AI and data-led solutions, as well as specialist tech across areas like finance, healthcare, sustainability and agriculture.

Open to UK startup trading for less than three years led by an entrepreneur who is under 30 at the time of application. This award celebrates a young business leader making an exceptional impact through their vision, resilience and results, with clear traction, ambition and the potential to shape the future of their industry.