Five winners and two commendations were announced at the National Enterprise Network Conference & Awards 2023, in partnership with Barclays, on 24 November 2023.
The National Enterprise Network [NEN] Conference & Awards 2023, held in partnership with Barclays, with supporting partner UMi, convened at 1 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London on 24 November 2023.
The event was attended by NEN members, a range of stakeholders and advocates championing small businesses from across the UK’s enterprise ecosystem. Throughout the event, attendees considered how to adapt and strengthen enterprise support across England, “Manifesto for Change in Enterprise Support,” serving as the overarching theme for discussions throughout the gathering.
Spanning a day filled with insightful keynote addresses, an engaging motivational speaker, a panel discussion that organically evolved into an interactive floor session, and diverse breakout sessions, the event culminated in the eagerly awaited awards segment. At 4:15 pm, following an enriching day dedicated to exploring the future of enterprise, the ceremony commenced, honouring and celebrating the remarkable commitment and notable milestones achieved thus far.
Here are the winners:
Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year – Above £750k:
This award seeks to recognise organisations that have established and maintained recognition and impact within their local communities this year.
Winner: Let’s Do Business Group – It was clear from their application that Let’s Do Business Group is very current and future-focused. Offering comprehensive business support to entrepreneurs and businesses, including prosperity programmes, Let’s Do Marketing, and Start-Up September, Let’s Do Business Group demonstrate their commitment to resilient and sustainable transformational business support.
Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year – below £750k
Winner: Birmingham Enterprise Community – The BEC has made a significant impact on local communities over the past year. As a result of its strong leadership, rapidly growing reputation, strong partnerships, a solid new board of directors, and most importantly, a relentless drive to provide the best help and support possible for its community, BEC has achieved more than double its previous year’s turnover during the first 6 months of the financial year.
Innovation in Education Award
This award highlights the work of entrepreneurship and enterprise educators who help to create self-employment opportunities.
Winner: Transmit Startups (trading as Smarta) – With 46 micro courses, Smarta has created accessible online learning with a difference. Now being offered are SFEDI-accredited ESF Business Fundamentals, Startup Essentials, Marketing Fundamentals, and Digital Marketing courses. To improve the learners’ journey, they plan to integrate AI and Machine Learning.
Innovation in Enterprise
This award recognises new innovative and engaging ways to support those who are starting or developing their early-stage business.
Winner: SBA CIC – Launching their training hub late in 2022, they provided affordable, focused training for individuals and businesses across the UK to make sure their businesses are successful and capable of reaching their full potential. SBA’s team relaunched the global training hub at the Singapore Business Show in August 2023 after it became a global ambition in August 2023.
Sustainability in Enterprise Award
This award recognises efforts to enhance the sustainability and resilience of the enterprise support sector, by sharing resources and encouraging entrepreneurs to give back.
Winner: Birmingham Enterprise Community
BEC’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is ingrained in its core values and actions. They have developed programs that educate business leaders on essential sustainability skills and knowledge. One standout example is the Sustainable Management Course, developed in collaboration with Coventry College this year. It equips senior leaders with the skills needed to drive sustainability within their organisations.
Highly Commended: Imperial College London
Over the last 3 years, the Enterprise Lab has nurtured green innovation by increasing its support for green startups and spinouts across Imperial College through its core programmes and services. In 2023 approx. 20% of the startups supported by the WE Innovate programme and 35% supported by the VCC programme were climate-focused.
Social Impact in Enterprise Award
This award celebrates enterprise support organisations that have demonstrated adding significant value to diverse communities and the wider economy, helping to create opportunities for hard-to-reach groups, BAME entrepreneurs and disabled founders.
Winner: Advantages of Age Ltd
Its flagship programme, Startup School for Seniors, is dedicated to empowering hard-to-reach individuals aged 50 and above, who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, to discover new pathways to employment and take their first steps towards self-employment.
Highly Commended: PNE Group
Newcastle Social Enterprise Network, which supports VCSE organisations in Newcastle at the grassroots and local authority level, was set up by the PNE Team. In late 2022, a consortium of PNE, Junction Point and Connected Voice successfully advocated for Newcastle to be recognised as an SEUK Social Enterprise Hotspot. This recognition has enhanced the city’s reputation as a hub for VCSE activities which will hopefully lead to new opportunities.
Afterwards, an evening drinks reception was held on the 30th floor of the venue. Attendees came together to honour their fellow colleagues, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and facilitating the exchange of valuable insights. Against the backdrop of the stunning Canary Wharf skyline, participants relished delightful small plates and beverages.
While the conference is over, the NEN’s work is just beginning, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn to keep updated.