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Finalists for the South East in a new º£½ÇÊÓƵ-wide awards initiative championing the best in start-ups and entrepreneurial activity can been revealed.

The has been launched to recognise the booming startup scene across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ which has accelerated since the pandemic began. In 2020, when most of the world was shutting down, more than 400,000 startups were set up in Britain, with similar increases seen in other European countries.

This marked boost in nascent entrepreneurship is mirrored by a huge 2,500 applications which have been received in response to the Startup Awards National Series’ first ever call for entries.

The South East startups that made the shortlist are a true snapshot of the future economy, with a collective turnover of almost £15m and employing 362 people between them.

One finalist said: “The South East is incredible for its network of like-minded businesses. They are extremely forward-thinking; the companies in our region care about technology and their impact on the environment.”

The cohort of finalists announced today will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of seasoned judges with experience founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures. This includes South East-based Joel Dalton, co-founder of Clone Media, Jo Tutchener-Sharp, founder of Scamp & Dude, and Kate Hills, founder of Make it British.

Supported nationally by BT, EY, Dell & Intel, the programme will celebrate the achievements of the amazing individuals across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ who have turned an idea into an opportunity and taken the risk to launch a new product or service.

Co-founded by the team behind the , the new series follows the success of the Wales StartUp Awards, after organisers recognised the exceptional potential in the startup scene across the other British regions.