The prestigious Elite Business 100 (EB100) has officially announced the winners of its 2026 EB100 Awards, celebrating the exceptional achievements of the UK’s most innovative and high-performing SMEs.
The awards were revealed during the EB100 Celebration & Awards Evening on March 11th 2026 at the Leonardo Royal Hotel, St Paul’s, London, bringing together leading entrepreneurs, founders and industry figures to recognise the businesses setting new standards across the SME landscape.
The EB100 Awards recognise companies that have demonstrated outstanding success in leadership, sustainability, customer service, diversity, innovation and overall business performance. The awards highlight the SMEs driving economic growth and shaping the future of UK business.
The winners of the 2026 EB100 Awards are:
TikTok Exceptional Performance of the Year Award
Recognising SMEs that have demonstrated outstanding business growth, resilience and impact over the past year.
Winner: Hair Syrup
British Business Bank Start-Up of the Year Award
Honouring the most promising start-up that has demonstrated remarkable growth, innovation and industry impact.
Winner: Routd Technology
Cisco Innovation of the Year Award
Celebrating SMEs that have leveraged technology and forward-thinking innovation to scale their businesses.
Winner: Earlybird
Alight Media Diversity & Inclusion of the Year Award
Recognising SMEs that champion diversity and inclusivity, ensuring fair opportunities and representation within their businesses.
Winner: Diversify Education and Communities CIC
AdSmart Sustainability of the Year Award
Honouring businesses that integrate sustainability into their operations while balancing commercial success with environmental and social responsibility.
Winner: Vending Sense
Vistage SME Leadership of the Year Award
Recognising outstanding SME leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and business success.
Winner: de Novo Solutions
Moneypenny Customer Service of the Year Award
Celebrating SMEs that go above and beyond to deliver exceptional customer experiences and service excellence.
Winner: The Secret Garden Glamping
Alongside the category awards, the evening also celebrated a number of special honours recognising standout leadership, public support and the overall top-ranked EB100 business.
EB100 Enterprise Award
Recognising an outstanding entrepreneur whose impact and leadership have shaped the UK business landscape.
Winner: Simon Woodroffe, Founder of YO! and entrepreneur & investor
Sage People’s Choice of the Year Award
Voted for by the public, this award recognises the business that has captured the support and admiration of the wider SME community.
Winner: Laceeze Defiance
EB100 No.1 Winners Award
Presented to the business ranked number one in the Elite Business 100 for 2026, recognising exceptional growth, innovation and overall business excellence.
Winner: Must Have Ideas
Howden Rising Star of the Year Award
Recognising an emerging SME that has shown exceptional promise, rapid growth and strong future potential within the UK business landscape.
Winner: Enigma Strategic Communications
Market Location Highest New Entry of the Year Award
Awarded to the highest-ranking business making its first appearance in the Elite Business 100 list, recognising outstanding early impact and performance.
Winner: Lovey
Scott English, Brand Director for Elite Business, said: “Every year the EB100 Awards showcase the incredible ambition, innovation and resilience of the UK’s SME community. The winners this year represent some of the most dynamic businesses in the country, demonstrating what can be achieved through strong leadership, creativity and determination. It was a privilege to celebrate their achievements alongside so many inspiring entrepreneurs.”
The Elite Business 100 ranking recognises the UK’s top-performing SMEs, assessed across a range of criteria including growth, innovation, customer engagement, community impact and sustainability.
To explore the full list of the UK’s EB100 ranked businesses, visit: https://elitebusinessmagazine.co.uk/eb100-winners
