Finalist: Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2026

Known as the ‘Grammys of entrepreneurship’, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the most exceptional and inspiring business stories across the UK, recognising the entrepreneurs behind the brand and the decisions, resilience and ambition that create companies that last.

Past winners include the founders of Simmer Eats, Grenade, ClearScore, Zilch and Unbiased, many of whom were recognised early in their journey.

“I am thrilled to be featured in the Creative & Media Entrepreneur of the year for the Midlands. These awards showcase entrepreneurs from across the country, in all sorts of categories, and each year they receive thousands of entries. A huge thank you to the judges for selecting me!”

– Natalie Burkinshaw, Founder and Creative Director, CRUSH

Representing the ‘real engine of the British economy’

The Great British Entrepreneur Awards have proudly shared how they have created the initiative ‘not to celebrate the loudest voices, but the businesses quietly powering the UK economy’.

This year, the 2026 shortlist can be defined in numbers:

• 5,000 applications received
• 740 businesses shortlisted
• £3.3bn combined turnover
• 17,700+ jobs supported
• 2,700+ new jobs being created
• 5,200+ years of combined trading
• 40% women-led businesses
• 10 UK regions and nations represented
• 50% already selling overseas

“When we launched the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in 2012, we set out to back the businesses that get on and build, the ones that don’t always get the recognition they deserve. More than a decade on, over 5,000 applications tell me we were onto something. This year’s cohort represents billions in turnover and tens of thousands of jobs, but what I’m proudest of is the determination behind those numbers. These are founders who have stuck with it through every kind of year, and championing them is exactly why we do this.”

– Frankie James, Founder, Great British Entrepreneur Awards

We look forward to a wonderful evening in November to celebrate fellow nominees and, of course, the winners!