Celebrating the most exciting new idea, product, service, or solution launched in the past year, this award honours cutting-edge innovation with high potential for disruption and real-world application. The winner exemplifies originality, relevance, and the power of fresh thinking.

This award acknowledges a visionary individual whose thought leadership has shaped discourse, inspired others, and influenced innovation practices across sectors. Through writing, speaking, mentoring, or leading change, the recipient is recognised for their insight, influence, and impact.

Awarded to a business or organisation (such as a university, catapult or pubic body) that is widely regarded as a pioneer and thought leader in innovation, this category recognises a consistent commitment to forward-thinking strategies, influence on industry direction, and a track record of inspiring others through bold, future-ready initiatives.  This category is open to all who create the space for innovation whether through finance, facilities, inspirational platforms (e.g. meetings, memberships, speaking opportunities etc.) or technology.

This award honours a person or organisation that has harnessed innovation to fuel significant business growth. Through bold strategies, new products, or disruptive models, the recipient demonstrates how innovation can be a powerful engine for scaling, success, and economic value.

Recognising an outstanding leader in the tech space, this award goes to someone who has successfully championed and delivered transformative technology initiatives. Whether in AI, software, cybersecurity, or digital infrastructure, the winner has made a lasting impact on the industry and end users alike.

This category celebrates an individual or organisation that has consistently driven innovation within the manufacturing sector. The recipient champions transformative approaches, fosters a culture of continuous improvement, and plays a leading role in advancing the industry’s capabilities and global competitiveness.

This award shines a spotlight on a trailblazer aged 35 or under who is already making waves with their fresh ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. The winner demonstrates bold thinking, problem-solving ability, and the potential to shape the future through innovation across any sector.

Honouring a male innovator whose work has led to significant advances, this award celebrates vision, ingenuity, and tangible impact. The recipient is recognised for pushing boundaries, challenging convention, and contributing to innovation that drives growth and societal benefit.

This award recognises an exceptional female innovator who has demonstrated outstanding creativity, leadership, and impact through innovation. Whether as an entrepreneur, scientist, engineer, or changemaker, the winner is a role model, breaking barriers and driving meaningful progress in her field.

This award honours those who are revolutionising education through inventive teaching methods, digital tools, or learning models that improve access, engagement, and outcomes. Whether in early years, schools, higher education, or lifelong learning, the winner is a catalyst for educational transformation in a rapidly evolving world.

Celebrating creativity with impact, this category recognises innovation in fields such as design, media, fashion, gaming, and the arts. The winner brings fresh perspectives, new formats, or inventive storytelling to life—pushing the boundaries of creative expression while contributing to the UK’s cultural and economic vitality.

This award honours trailblazers in life sciences whose breakthroughs in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, devices, healthcare delivery, or data use are improving lives. The recipient demonstrates scientific excellence, regulatory awareness, and commercial viability while addressing complex medical challenges with innovative solutions.

Recognising excellence in technology development, this award is for visionaries who have created transformative digital solutions or platforms that solve pressing problems, disrupt markets, or enhance user experience. From AI and blockchain to cloud computing and software innovation, the winner sets new standards in the tech landscape.

This category celebrates individuals or organisations whose innovations have significantly advanced defence capabilities, security technologies, or operational readiness. Whether through cyber defence, equipment design, AI, advanced military hardware or strategic infrastructure, the award acknowledges ingenuity that strengthens national security and supports those who serve.

Honouring those businesses at the forefront of transforming the built environment, this award highlights innovators who have introduced groundbreaking methods, technologies, or materials in construction. From digital twins and modular construction to sustainable building practices and automation, nominees lead the charge in improving quality, safety, and efficiency across the sector.

This award recognises game-changing innovations that drive environmental sustainability and climate resilience. The winner demonstrates a commitment to sustainable practices—whether through product design, energy solutions, circular economy models, or decarbonisation efforts—delivering measurable benefits to people and the planet while paving the way for a greener future.

Awarded to a trailblazing company, this category honours those businesses that have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible through technical excellence, problem-solving, and inventive design. From civil to mechanical, electrical to aerospace, the ultimate winner will need to display engineering innovation that delivers real-world impact, drives progress, and inspires future generations of engineers.

This award celebrates outstanding innovation within the manufacturing sector, recognising the companies that have introduced pioneering processes, technologies, or products that significantly enhance productivity, efficiency, or competitiveness. Whether through digital transformation, automation, novel manufacturing methods or innovative products, nominees demonstrate tangible impact and leadership in modernising this vital UK industry.