Over 100 people attended the event which took place at the University Stadium, where they were also able to see some founders’ products on display, including mOm incubator, Kitt Medical, ExpHand Prosthetics, and Act Medical.  

Eight awards were presented with the winners as follows: 

• Skill-up Award - Razita Osmanova and Morgan Liddle 
  This award is presented to a founder or founders that are at the early stage of their roadmap for future development and commercialisation. They have identified a genuine novel problem and have taken a truly innovative approach to solving it with the potential to generate positive global impact.  

• Start-up Award - Cameron Rayner, Sapo Appliances  
  The Start-Up Award recognises a student or graduate who is actively working on a new business or has launched. They will have tested and validated their concept and will be actively securing funds to develop their start-up.  

• Year in Enterprise Award - Andreas Purse, Manta 
  This award recognises a student who has made significant progress with their business whilst undertaking their Placement Year in Enterprise.  

• Scale-up Award - Henry Brogan, BidScript 
  The Scale-Up Award represents founders that have shown great determination in launching their business, evidencing good progress and market traction. 

• Innovator of the Year - Owen Jones, EngiGreening  
  This award is presented to a founder or founders that are commercialising cutting-edge technologies or ways of working. They have taken a truly innovative approach to solving it with the potential to generate positive impact.  

• Staff Entrepreneur Award - Professor Filipe Iza 
  The Staff Entrepreneur Award recognises a staff member who has demonstrated an entrepreneurial approach through a venture or enterprise-related activity – recognised by their peers.    

• Champion of the Year - David Miller
  This award celebrates those who have given their time to support founders early-on in their journey, whether that be through mentoring or hosting in-person workshops to support their development.  

• LEN Impact Award – Ralph Weir, Zayndu  
  (Highly Commended: Kate Allan, ExpHand Prosthetics) 
  This award highlights the direct positive impact innovations at Loughborough are creating, aligned to the University’s three strategic themes: 

• • Sport, Health and Well Being  

• • Climate Change & Net Zero  

• • Vibrant & Inclusive Communities 

Professor Sam Grogan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience) commented: “It’s great to see and hear about the incredible innovations members of our community have turned into sustainable business models. Entrepreneurship and innovation lies at the heart of our university experience, so it is fantastic to see students turning ideas into prototypes, side hustles into start-ups, and conversations into business plans.

“Just as rewarding as seeing business success for our staff and students is then also hearing about the positive tangible impacts these businesses are making to people and communities across the globe. Every year the standard of student and graduate entrepreneurs is getting higher, and I am in awe of the incredible achievements of the founders recognised at this year's LEN Awards.”   

The event was supported by Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, which provides personal loans for postgraduate education, new businesses, and businesses in need of investment across Leicestershire and Rutland.  

Congratulations to all our winners and those who were shortlisted.  

Loughborough Enterprise Network supports students and graduates (in the curriculum and through Careers Network) and staff (through LUinc. and RIO) with entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialisation. By providing valuable opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge to get started, support across the network is available for all those interested in entrepreneurship regardless of the stage they're at and includes training, funding and access to space.