Startups Awards 2016: Thursday 17 November

What is the Startups Awards?

The Startups Awards is the longest-running awards of its kind to recognise and celebrate the UK’s most ambitious, creative and innovative new businesses launched in the last four years.

Now in its 13th year, the Startups Awards has gained a reputation for identifying early-stage businesses which will later go on to become established brands and even household names. Previous winners include Notonthehighstreet.com, Naked Wines, Made.com, Purple Bricks, and last year’s overall winner Appear Here.

Run by Startups.co.uk; the UK’s leading independent online resource for starting and growing a business, our mission for the Startups Awards is to shine a light on incredible, inspirational start-ups that are achieving great things and helping to boost the economy. We help start-ups to impress, attract and get noticed.

Who are the sponsors of the Startups Awards 2016?

We’re extremely proud to have a stellar roster of sponsors for the Startups Awards. This year, multi-national enterprise software company Sage is headline sponsor, while government-backed loan organisation Start Up Loans, Simply Business; the UK’s largest online small insurance broker, and media agency All Response Media are the awards’ silver sponsors.

The Startups Awards 2016 also has an impressive portfolio of bronze sponsors including online print destination printed.com, chartered accountants and tax advisers haysmacintyre, domain name and web hosting services 123Reg, company formations group Made Simple, and real estate advisors DeVono Cresa.

Learn more about the awards sponsors here.

What are the categories for the Startups Awards 2016?

For 2016, there are 15 awards categories – catering for businesses across all industries and sectors. Categories include Product Business of the Year, Retail Business of the Year, App of the Year, Venture-funded Business of the Year, Women in Business Award and many more. View all of the categories here.

The overall prize of Sage Startups Business of the Year will be awarded to the most impressive business from all of the categories.

There is also an accolade voted for by business peers and the public; the People’s Champion Award, which all Startups Awards finalists are eligible for. People’s Champion is a chance to award any business, big or small, the impressive accolade of people’s favourite.

Voting for People’s Champion closed on November 8 – The People’s Champion 2016 winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Who are the finalists of the Startups Awards 2016?

Shortlisted from hundreds of entries, there are 52 exceptional Startups Awards finalists this year from a cross-sector of backgrounds, businesses, and regions across the UK.

From food and drink to tech and finance, our finalists represent the country’s diverse and thriving start-up community.

View the finalists here.

Who are the Startups Awards 2016 judging panel?

We have an illustrious judging panel for the Startups Awards 2016; including high-profile entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors.

Dragon’s Den star Nick Jenkins, millionaire entrepreneur Cath Kidston MBE, and smoothie superstar Jon Wright are just a few of the outstanding names. Here’s a full list of the awards judging panel.

How are the Startups Awards winners decided?

The award winners are decided at the Startups Awards judging day, where our elite panel of judges spend the afternoon reviewing and discussing the 52 shortlisted entries, and trying samples.

The 2016 judging day was held on Wednesday 19 October at Coutts, London and involved a lot of lively debate and conversations among the panel. The winners will be announced on the night of the Startups Awards ceremony…

When is the Startups Awards 2016?

The Startups Awards 2016 ceremony will take place on the evening of Thursday 17 November at the prestigious Royal Gardens Hotel in London. There will be the opportunity for finalists to network with like-minded entrepreneurs – including awards judges – over a champagne reception and three course meal.

Watch this snapshot video of the 2015 ceremony here.

Who is hosting the awards?

One of the best MC’s and a serial entrepreneur to boot, this year’s Startups Awards host is Oli Barrett MBE. Co-founder of StartUp Britain, Barrett has built a number of initiatives and ventures all focused around nurturing and supporting start-ups.

Find out more about our fantastic host here.

Can I purchase tickets to the Startups Awards 2016?

Of course! The awards ceremony is the biggest event of the start-up calendar and we’d love to see you there, supporting the UK’s early-stage businesses.

How else can I support the Startups Awards 2016?

There are lots of ways you can support the Startups Awards. You can share the love by joining the conversation and talking about the awards with the hashtag #StartupsAwards, and you can follow all of the updates on the Startups Awards here.

Or if you work for a media publication, we’d love it if you could help us spread the word about the Startups Awards! Speak to Megan – megand@startups.co.uk.

For more information about the Startups Awards 2016, click here.