Global
Innovator
Awards 2026
Recognising the founders, innovators and exceptional talent who chose the UK, and are delivering on their ambition.
ELIGIBILITY
The Global Innovator Awards is the UK's first awards programme dedicated to recognising the achievements of founders, innovators, and exceptional talent who came to the UK under a qualifying innovation or talent route.
Whether you are building a business from the ground up, launching a deep science venture, bringing exceptional creative or technical expertise to a UK organisation, you belong in this room.
Visa-supported startups contribute to the over $1.2 trillion valuation of the UK innovation ecosystem. The Global Innovator Awards ensures these stories are recognised.
WHY ENTER THE GLOBAL INNOVATOR AWARDS?
Being shortlisted or winning puts you in front of the people, press and organisations that matter.
Credibility & Accreditation
Being selected by an independent panel of industry judges sends a clear signal, to customers, investors and partners, that your work stands up to scrutiny.
Unrivalled Networking
Spend an evening in a room with fellow innovators, leading venture capital investors, policymakers and government representatives. The connections you make here don't happen anywhere else.
National Press & Coverage
Winners and finalists are featured across our media partner network, reaching mainstream tech channels, innovation publications and our wider partner ecosystem. Additionally, each category winner will be featured on a podcast, spotlighting their success.
EXPLORE THE AWARD CATEGORIES
From founders and co-founding teams to global talent, creative innovators and ecosystem builders, find the category that fits and nominate yourself or someone who deserves to be in the room.
MEET THE JUDGES
Leading investors, ecosystem builders and industry leaders assessing candidates objectively.
Vanessa Fu
Nathan March
Alexandra Leader
Afua Basoah
More judges to be announced soon.
Awards Evening
150 innovators, investors and press. One night. Ten winners.