Founder’s Thank You

“In the North East, ambition and opportunity are not in short supply. What holds us back are the hidden, systemic barriers and the lack of social capital that make progress harder than it should be.

Too many people who could contribute to a thriving economy are disconnected from it - our region’s economic inactivity sits at 27.9%, more than 6.8% above the UK average.

That’s thousands of people not in work, education or training, but full of potential waiting to be unlocked.

Founders have the power to change that. Every new business creates ripples of opportunity - a training place, a first job, a contract for a local supplier. Yet the North East still has one of the lowest business densities in the UK, with just 751 businesses per 10,000 people compared to a national average of over 1,030.

This is where Startup Awards North East comes in: connecting early-stage founders to the networks, knowledge and courage that help passion grow into businesses - and businesses grow into community opportunity.

Because when founders succeed, communities flourish. When communities flourish, the North East thrives. And when the North East thrives, we send a message far beyond our borders: this is a region built on resilience, innovation and opportunity.

To every finalist, partner and supporter here today - thank you for being part of this movement. Together, we can build a North East where potential has no limits."

Charlotte Windebank

Co-Founder of FIRST & Startup Awards North East

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S AWARD PARTNERS

• Business Enterprise Fund - our headline sponsor.

• PNE - sponsor of the Impact Award within the SkillUP category.

• Hays Travel - sponsor of the StartUP category.

• North East Chamber of Commerce - sponsor of the Impact Award within the StartUP category.

• British Business Bank - sponsor of the High Growth Award within the StartUP category.

• Square One Law - sponsor of the entire ScaleUP category, including the Impact and High Growth Awards.

  
  

Your support makes these awards possible and creates a platform that inspires, celebrates, and empowers the next generation of North East founders.

Learn more about the award partners here

THIS YEARS PRIZE PARTNERS

A huge thank you to our amazing prize partners for supporting this year’s Startup Awards North East finalists and winners. Their contributions help emerging entrepreneurs gain the skills and guidance to turn ideas into impact:

• Vertax Accountants – Winners received a 1-hour free finance and tax consultation, and finalists received a 20-minute session.

• UMi Sat Nav – Provided all applicants with a free 6-month subscription packed with expert business guidance and resources.

• North East Chamber of Commerce – Awarded a 1-year “Start Up & Grow” membership to the StartUP Impact Award winner.

• North East Business & Innovation Centre (BIC) – Offered three hours of business mentoring to the StartUP category winner.

• SFEDI – Gifted two tailored mentoring sessions to support early-stage founders

Learn more about the prizes/ prize partners here

SkillUP

The SkillUP category celebrated those who hadn’t yet registered a business but had taken their first steps into entrepreneurship. Congratulations to Brad, winner of the Growth Award and Amelia, winner of the Impact Award! 🎉

Brad McVay – Fired Guy Pizza
Fired Guy Pizza is a mobile start-up founded by Brad McVay, serving handcrafted Neapolitan-style pizzas made with long-fermented dough, fresh local ingredients, and house-made mozzarella. Trading at festivals, events and markets, the menu is bold, minimal, and focused on quality. Born from Brad’s journey of recovery, 50p from every pizza supports a local addiction charity. Fired Guy Pizza is about great food with purpose - bringing people together and giving back to the community that shaped its story.

Amelia Jane Lennon – Prioritise You

‘Prioritise You’ is a safety app founded by Amelia Jane Lennon that automatically alerts loved ones when users get home. Future updates will map safer routes and reroute users if danger is reported nearby. Alongside the app, the team delivers sessions on recognising emotional abuse and harassment. Created by and for women, the platform grows through community input - building shared safety, support, and real-world change powered by technology and sisterhood.

Learn more about the SkillUP finalists here

StartUP

The StartUP category celebrated early-stage founders who had taken the leap into business and were ready to grow. Congratulations to Shane, winner of the Growth Award, and John, winner of the Impact Award! 💙 Both demonstrated exceptional leadership and growth, inspiring others to keep pushing boundaries in the North East’s thriving start-up community.

Shane Knox – Not A Statistic NE
Founded by Shane Knox, Not A Statistic NE is a veteran-led CIC rewriting the mental health rulebook through a peer-led, stigma-free approach grounded in lived experience. The organisation strengthens communities through connection, conversation and compassion. Its creative arm, The Not A Design Agency, delivers bold branding, digital storytelling, and purpose-driven campaigns that make a difference. Every project fuels the mission - where mental health meets creative hustle. Two ventures. One vision. Real impact.

John Mills – STTAA CIC
John Mills is the founder of STTAA – Specialist Training, Transportation & Autism Awareness – and the creator of STTAAGATE. Inspired by his experience driving autistic children to and from school, John witnessed the barriers neurodivergent and disabled families face when travelling. STTAAGATE transforms accessible travel through sensory-friendly transport, adapted accommodation, enhanced airport assistance, and fully trained staff. Every journey is built on empathy and understanding, with profits reinvested into inclusive accessibility initiatives - opening the world to everyone.

Learn more about the StartUP finalists here

ScaleUP

The ScaleUP category celebrated founders who had already established their businesses and were ready to take them to the next level. Congratulations to Michael, winner of the Growth Award, and Robert, winner of the Impact Award! 🎉 Their leadership and vision embodied the entrepreneurial growth that continues to drive the North East forward.

Michael Gilroy – Evol Boxing
Michael Gilroy is the founder of Evol Boxing, a CIC and limited company that has become one of the North East’s leading names in event promotion and film production. Alongside building the brand over the past four years, Michael has dedicated his work to tackling knife crime and supporting suicide prevention. His impact and progress led to an invitation to London, where he spoke before the King, the Prime Minister, and some of the UK’s most influential figures.

Robert Little – Smash Life
Robert Little is the founder of The Smash Life Challenge, a movement inspiring people to break limits and realise their full potential. Living with ADHD, Robert has transformed what others might see as a challenge into his greatest strength - driving creativity, energy, and determination. His mission is to help others embrace their individuality, overcome barriers, and achieve lasting change in life and business. Robert proves that passion and purpose, powered by resilience, can change the game.

Learn more about the ScaleUP finalists here

Community Spotlight

Shining a Light on Local Charities

We proudly shone a light on some of the incredible charities making a real difference across our region. The Community Spotlight recognised the vital work of West End Refugee Service, Action Foundation, Barnardo’s, The Angelou Centre, and St Vincent’s - organisations that go above and beyond to support individuals and families across the North East.

Their dedication to inclusion, empowerment and opportunity reflects the very spirit of Startup Awards North East: creating a region where everyone has the chance to thrive. 💙

Outstanding Contribution

Thank you Sue!

This year marked the introduction of a brand-new accolade - the Outstanding Contribution Award - created to recognise an individual who has gone above and beyond in supporting others and shaping enterprise across the North East. The very first recipient was Sue Parkinson, whose lifelong dedication, leadership and commitment to empowering people through enterprise have made a lasting impact on the region.

A huge thank you to Sue for everything she has done, and continues to do, for enterprise in the North East. A truly inspiring and well-deserved recognition of her outstanding contribution. 👏

Success Story

From Law to Watercolour: How Wiktoria Found Freedom Through Art

For five years, Wiktoria Anna built a successful career in the legal industry after earning her master’s in law and graduating in 2018. But by 2023, she realised that being a solicitor was no longer where her heart lay. “It was too stressful, and I just knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do,” she reflected. So, she made the brave decision to step away from law entirely and pursue her passion for art and creativity.  

The transition to self-employment took Wiktoria on a journey. She spent her first year focusing on selling her artwork but quickly found that it wasn’t enough to provide her with a reliable income. To diversify her income and connect with others, she began teaching art classes at local rented spaces. That shift not only reignited her creativity but also transformed her business.

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Her progress didn’t go unnoticed. In 2025, Wiktoria was named a finalist at Startup Awards North East in the Startup category - a milestone she describes as both “scary and empowering.”

“The pitching practice we did in our final Level Two session at FIRST really helped me,” she said. “When it came time to pitch on stage, I already knew what I wanted to say.”

Read the full story here

We’d love to hear your feedback

If you joined us at this year’s Startup Awards North East as a partner, guest or finalist, we’d really love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback helps us celebrate what worked well and shape next year’s event to be even more impactful for our region’s founders.

The Awards are all about championing North East talent, ambition and community spirit - and your insights make a real difference in helping us continue to grow opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

👉 Share your feedback here

2026

Looking Ahead to 2026

The excitement doesn’t stop here! 🎉 Planning for Startup Awards North East 2026 is already underway and we’re inviting founders, partners and supporters to get involved early.

If you’d like to be part of next year’s celebration (as an applicant, partner or guest) you can register your early interest today. Together, we’ll continue building a North East where ambition and opportunity thrive.

👉 Click here to show your interest