This category recognises the outstanding efforts of investment teams or angel investors within venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) firms that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting women entrepreneurs. By honouring teams that have signed the Investing in Women Code and actively implemented practices to improve access to capital for women-led businesses, we celebrate their commitment to advancing gender equality and creating opportunities for women in the investment community.

Open to entrants in all award categories that have placed a particular focus on ESG in their service or offering. The judges will assess certifications, transparency and disclosure, independent ratings, best practice, the sustainability of outcomes, delivery of ESG commitments and embedding ESG into company culture.

This award celebrates outstanding achievements in exits where investment has significantly supported female entrepreneurs, angel investors or women-led businesses. By highlighting successful investment deals that align with the principles of the Investing in Women Code and have had a significant positive impact on the growth and development of women entrepreneurs, we recognize the transformative power of inclusive investment practices. Entries are welcomed for any type of exit strategy implemented since January 2023.

This category honours innovative initiatives undertaken by investment firms or angel investors to promote gender equality and support women entrepreneurs. From mentorship programs to inclusive investment strategies, these initiatives contribute to creating a more supportive and inclusive ecosystem for women in the investment community. By showcasing these initiatives, we inspire others to follow suit and drive positive change within the industry.

Based on an investment made since 6th April 2023, the judges will be assessing the impact of the investment on the investee business, focusing on how funding has been deployed and how growth has been enabled by the fund manager during the investment term.

Based on an investment made since 6th April 2023, the judges will be assessing the impact of the investment on the investee business and the region in which the investee business is based, focusing on how funding has been deployed and how growth has been enabled by the fund manager during the investment term. 

Open to any growth investment provider that has introduced an innovative new product or service to the market since 6th April 2022. The judges will assess the overall impact of the innovation based on its effect on funding volumes, value for investee companies, challenges overcome, customer feedback, and business impact.

Entries are welcomed for any type of exit strategy implemented since 6th April 2023. The judges will be assessing your success in a case study that highlights investment performance against initial strategy and targets, value added to the investee business, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Entries are welcomed for any type of investor financial return achieved since 6th April 2023. The judges will be assessing your success in a case study that specifically highlights outstanding investment performance.

Our highest accolade for investment providers, this award recognises outstanding investment managers demonstrating the best investment performance, the best product and service developments, and the best ‘impact beyond investment’ on customers and the wider business community.

Open to any team within your company working within the growth investment community to deliver exceptional results. Whether your team is dedicated to business development, customer service, marketing, advisory or something completely different, the judges will be looking for the team that has gone above and beyond to support their customers and colleagues whilst successfully delivering on their projects since 6th April 2023.

Open to wealth management and stockbroking firms offering discretionary AIM portfolio investment management services. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service over the last financial year, assessing your success across investee selection, portfolio performance, investment volume and inflows, efforts to champion the AIM market, customer feedback, and overall business impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in AIM investments qualifying for Business Property Relief. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across investee company selection, investment volume and inflows, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in non AIM based investments qualifying for Business Property Relief. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across investee selection, investment volume and performance, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in Enterprise Investment Schemes that has had a minimum of 3 EIS exits at or above par and has an EIS AUM above £50 million. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across business performance, investment inflows, impact on the investee, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in Enterprise Investment Schemes which has not had sufficient exits to meet the criteria for our Best EIS Investment Manager category. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across business performance, investment inflows, impact on the investee, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in Enterprise Investment Schemes with a specialist focus on a particular area of underlying investments. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across business performance, investment inflows, impact on the investee, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in Venture Capital Trusts. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across investee company selection, investment volume and inflows, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across business performance, investment inflows, impact on the investee, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Recognising any type of investment platform, including angel networks and crowdfunding platforms. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across volume of investment, user experience, product innovation, and business impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in investments qualifying for Business Property Relief with AUM of up to £100 million or less than a 5 year track record as of 6th April 2024. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across investee company selection, investment volume and inflows, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in Venture Capital Trusts. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2022, assessing your success across investee selection, investment volume and performance, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Open to Emerging VCs who have raised their first or second funds. The judges will be looking at your impact on your portfolio companies, your reputation in the market, your approach and case studies.

Open to any investment manager specialising in Venture Capital. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across business performance, investment inflows, impact on the investee, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

Open to any investment manager specialising in Venture Capital, with focus on regional investments. The judges will be looking at the performance of your service since 6th April 2023, assessing your success across business performance, investment inflows, impact on the investee, adviser relations, customer feedback, and overall impact.

The CVC Team of the Year award honours the corporate venture capital team that has demonstrated exceptional performance and strategic vision. This category celebrates teams that have successfully leveraged corporate resources, driven innovation, and created significant value for their portfolio companies. Judges will assess successful deals, strong portfolio management, and impactful post-investment support. Nominees should highlight their achievements in fostering growth and contributing to their corporate parent’s success and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Venture Debt Provider of the Year award will be presented to a provider of venture debt that has delivered a clear and demonstrable impact over the past 12 months. This could be a specific case study, a project or a wide-reaching service that has created business results worthy of recognition. The judges will be looking for clear differentiators including qualitative and quantitative evidence of customer growth, innovation, customer satisfaction, feedback, and impact on the business and/or industry.