Please note the Adrian Cadbury Entrepreneurial Awards are now closed for entries for 2026.
Big ideas deserve serious backing
The Adrian Cadbury Entrepreneurial Awards back ambitious early-stage businesses at the moment it matters most. In 2026, the awards will be announced alongside the opening of the Aston Business Hub, a new destination for innovation, collaboration and growth in Birmingham.
About the awards
Recognising ambition, innovation and potential
The Adrian Cadbury Entrepreneurial Awards celebrate early-stage businesses that are doing things differently. Businesses with bold ideas, clear purpose and the drive to turn opportunity into reality.
This is not just an award. It’s a platform.
In 2026, the awards form part of the opening of the Aston Business Hub, bringing together space and support at a pivotal moment for businesses ready to scale.
Named in recognition of Adrian Cadbury, the awards reflect a legacy of ethical leadership, enterprise and long-term impact.
Award categories
Three awards will be made in 2026:
Innovative AI business
Recognises early-stage businesses applying AI in original, practical or impactful ways, with clear potential for growth and real-world use.
Innovative social enterprise
Celebrates ventures addressing social challenges through sustainable, purposeful business models that deliver measurable positive change.
Innovative international business
Highlights early-stage businesses with international activity or strong potential for global reach, supported by a clear direction for expansion.
Each category recognises originality, ambition and the potential to create lasting impact.
Award prizes
Winning an Adrian Cadbury Entrepreneurial Award means more than recognition. It means real backing.
Each award includes:
- £10,000 cash grant to support your next stage of growth
- £15,000 in-kind support, including colocation in the Aston Business Hub for 12 months
This package is designed to give you the freedom to focus, the space to think, and the support to move faster.
Who should apply
The Adrian Cadbury Entrepreneurial Awards are open to early-stage businesses with the ambition to grow and scale, aligned to one of the award categories.
You should apply if you are building something innovative, have momentum behind you, and are ready for your next phase.
- Eligibility criteria
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To apply, businesses must:
- Be early-stage, typically less than five years old
- Be based in Birmingham or the West Midlands, or be willing to relocate
- Be willing to colocate in the Aston Business Hub for a minimum of 12 months
- Clearly align with one award category
- Demonstrate innovation in a product, service or business model
- Show potential for economic, social or international impact
- Be willing to engage with the Aston Business Hub community and support offer
- Agree to acknowledge Aston University, the Sir Adrian Cadbury Entrepreneurial Awards and the Aston Business Hub in relevant external communications
- Demonstrate alignment with inclusive values
- Have the capacity to make effective use of the cash grant and in-kind support
- Applications are encouraged from underrepresented entrepreneurs and enterprises.
How to apply
Please note the Adrian Cadbury Entrepreneurial Awards are now closed for entries for 2026.
Video submission only
All applications for the Adrian Cadbury Entrepreneurial Awards must be submitted by video.
We want to hear directly from you. A short video allows you to tell your story in your own words and will give the judging panel a real sense of your ambition, energy and direction.
- Video requirements
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- Maximum length: 5 minutes
- Format: a single, unedited video
- Submission: via a shareable link
Because video files are often too large to upload directly, you will be asked to provide a link to your video through the application form.
Please ensure:- The link is accessible without requesting additional permissions
- The video remains available until at least 30 April 2026
- You clearly state your name, business name and chosen award category at the start
- What your video should cover
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Your video should give us a clear sense of:
- What your business does and what sets it apart
- The challenge you are addressing and why it matters
- Evidence of progress, traction or early success
- Your ambitions for the next 12–24 months
- Why the Aston Business Hub is the right environment for your next stage
- How you would use the cash grant and in-kind support
You don’t need professional production. Clarity, conviction and authenticity matter far more than polish.
The Aston Business Hub
The Aston Business Hub is a new space designed for businesses ready to move forward.
Based in Birmingham, it brings together flexible workspace, access to networks and tailored support, creating an environment where ideas can be tested, partnerships formed and momentum built.
This is a place to connect, collaborate and grow.
