UK's Top Tech Entrepreneurs Celebrated at the 2026 Enterprise Awards

Discover the winners of the 2026 Enterprise Awards as the UK's leading technology entrepreneurs and founder-friendly investors are recognised for driving innovation and business growth.

Britain's thriving technology sector took centre stage in the City of London this week as some of the country's most innovative entrepreneurs and investors were recognised at the 2026 Enterprise Awards.

Held at the prestigious Drapers' Hall on 1 July, the awards celebrated the founders, business leaders and investors helping to shape the next generation of high-growth UK technology companies. Now in its 14th year, the Enterprise Awards has become an important fixture in the UK's innovation calendar, highlighting businesses that are solving real-world problems through technology, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Since the awards were launched, almost 120 entrepreneurs have been recognised. Collectively, their businesses now generate more than $3.1 billion in annual revenue while employing around 18,000 people worldwide, demonstrating the significant impact that British innovation continues to have on the global economy.

The evening was opened by Enterprise Awards founder John O'Connell, Executive Chair of ScaleUp Group, alongside Tola Sargeant, Chair of the Judging Panel and CEO of Archives of IT, and Paddy McGwire, Senior Partner at Silverpeak. Entrepreneurs, investors and industry leaders gathered to celebrate the individuals and organisations driving the UK's technology ecosystem forward.

This year's winners reflected the breadth of innovation taking place across the country.

Laura Earnshaw of myHappymind was named Social Enterprise Entrepreneur, recognising the company's work supporting children's mental wellbeing. Helen Murphy of Opply received the Applied AI Entrepreneur award, highlighting the growing importance of artificial intelligence in solving business challenges. Sean Williams of AutogenAI won Scale-Up Entrepreneur, while Thomas Garnett and Vlad Galu of Refute secured the Emerging Entrepreneur title. 

Stephanie Eltz of Doctify was recognised as Developing Entrepreneur, and Michelle He of Abound received the prestigious Enterprise Entrepreneur award.

One of the biggest additions for 2026 was the introduction of the Founder Friendly Funds recognition. Eighteen investment funds were honoured for backing ambitious UK technology businesses, collectively making almost 400 investments worth around $600 million during 2025, covering everything from Seed funding through to Series B investment.

Tola Sargeant praised the exceptional standard of entries, saying this year's winners demonstrated commercial success alongside innovation, leadership and a commitment to creating lasting impact.

John O'Connell added that both the entrepreneurs and the newly recognised investment funds represent the people and organisations helping to shape the future of UK technology by supporting ambitious founders over the long term.

At a time when the UK continues to compete on the global technology stage, the Enterprise Awards offer a timely reminder that great ideas, backed by visionary founders and supportive investors, remain one of the country's greatest strengths.

https://www.enterprise-awards.co.uk

Europe’s Routers Could Hold the Key to Digital Sovereignty

European technology firms have launched SAFENet, calling for stronger protection of routers and network devices as a critical part of Europe's digital security strategy.

Europe's Routers Are the Digital Front Door – So Why Are We Ignoring Them?

When discussions turn to digital security, most attention tends to focus on cloud services, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and 5G networks. Yet one of the most important pieces of technology in our homes and workplaces is often overlooked: the humble router.

A new alliance of leading European network technology companies believes that needs to change.

Four major manufacturers, devolo, FRITZ! (AVM), LANCOM Systems and TDT AG, have come together to launch SAFENet, the Sovereignty Alliance for European Network Technology. Their message is simple: if Europe wants true digital sovereignty, it must pay far closer attention to the devices that handle the vast majority of its internet traffic.

According to research cited by the alliance, around 93 per cent of European internet traffic passes through routers and home network gateways. These are the devices that connect us to online banking, healthcare services, work systems, streaming platforms and private communications. In comparison, mobile networks account for only around seven per cent of internet traffic.

That makes routers far more than simple networking equipment. They are the digital front door to our connected lives.

The concern raised by SAFENet is that Europe has become heavily dependent on technology produced outside the continent. The alliance points to Chinese manufacturers controlling close to 40 per cent of the router and gateway market, creating potential security and strategic risks.

To address this, SAFENet is calling on European and national policymakers to take three key actions.

First, it wants greater transparency so consumers and organisations can clearly see where network hardware, software and security updates are developed and maintained.

Second, it is urging public bodies and operators of critical infrastructure to prioritise trusted European-made networking technology when purchasing equipment.

Finally, the alliance wants routers and network devices to receive the same level of strategic attention as 5G infrastructure. It is proposing a dedicated "Router and Network Technology Security Toolbox" that would assess risks and identify potentially high-risk suppliers.

The debate around digital sovereignty is likely to intensify in the coming years. While cloud platforms and artificial intelligence often dominate headlines, SAFENet argues securing Europe's digital future may begin with something much closer to home, the router sitting quietly in the corner of your office or living room.

As Europe seeks greater control over its digital destiny, that argument may become increasingly difficult to ignore.

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