South West StartUps, we see you.
Hot on the heels of an unforgettable night in the Midlands, the UK StartUp Awards tour landed in Bristol. This time to celebrate the South West’s boldest, brightest, and most brilliant founders.
Taking centre stage, EnsiliTech was named South West StartUp of the Year for pioneering a breakthrough in vaccine and biopharmaceutical stability. Their game-changing technology could transform global access to life-saving medicines especially in areas that need it most. A huge congratulations on a win that reflects impact, vision, and world-changing potential.
The South West has always been full of character, but now it’s full of founders. People who’ve taken risks, backed themselves, and turned “what ifs” into real, growing businesses.
We’re proud to spotlight the very best start-ups across the South West and the people behind them.
Let’s meet this year’s winners.
The 2025 South West StartUp Awards in Bristol
AI StartUp of the Year – Aidx
Aidx is revolutionising access to mental wellness through AI-powered therapy and coaching tools. Designed for individuals, practitioners, and businesses, it delivers expert-backed support that’s affordable, accessible, and built to boost emotional wellbeing at scale.
Business to Business StartUp of the Year – BUY ARTISAN MADE
BUY ARTISAN MADE is on a mission to help 10,000 independent food and drink producers thrive by 2030. Through expert support, strategic partnerships, and access to major retail and funding opportunities, BAM empowers artisan brands to scale sustainably and succeed on their own terms.
Business, Consulting & Management StartUp of the Year – The Marketing Plot
The Marketing Plot serves as an outsourced Chief Marketing Officer for B2B companies, delivering strategic direction and hands-on execution.
Consumer Products StartUp of the Year – Kostume
Kostüme is reinventing fashion with a small-batch, pre-order model that eliminates waste, overstocking, and discounting, delivering exceptional quality using recycled fabrics without luxury markups.
Consumer Services StartUp of the Year – Wiltshire Wild Sauna
Wiltshire Wild Sauna is an off-grid, wood-fired sauna experience set in the peaceful Wiltshire countryside—complete with cold dips, fire pits, and space to unwind. Whether it’s a wellness retreat, a team-building day, or a quiet moment for yourself, it’s all about reconnecting with nature, relaxation, and community.
Creative StartUp of the Year – Fusion AI
Fusion AI is an all-in-one content creation platform that uses advanced AI to streamline scripting, editing, and competitor analysis eliminating the need for multiple tools. From auto-generating brand-aligned scripts to editing viral-style videos in minutes, it’s built to help creators and businesses scale content production effortlessly.
Education & Training StartUp of the Year – Paseda360
Paseda360 is the rule-breaking coach training academy redefining what effective coaching looks like. By fusing coaching, therapy, psychology, and neuroscience, they equip leaders and aspiring coaches with practical, outcomes-driven skills that go far beyond traditional models—creating real transformation, not just conversation.
Equity-Backed StartUp of the Year – Micro Mobility Labs
Micro Mobility Labs is a Bristol-based startup making smart e-trailers to replace short car trips. Their CONVOY trailer attaches to bikes for easy school runs and errands. The goal: cut one billion car journeys by making cycling practical for everyday life.
Food & Drink StartUp of the Year – Lucid
Lucid is a functional lifestyle brand helping people feel and perform at their best through products powered by mushrooms and adaptogens.
Global StartUp of the Year – Innovisual Digital Marketing Agency
Innovisual Digital Marketing Agency blends journalism, storytelling, and data-driven strategies to help brands connect with audiences in powerful, human ways.
Green StartUp of the Year – Little Green Change
Little Green Change is an award-winning social enterprise dedicated to environmental education for primary and secondary school children across the South West. Through free school programmes, community projects, and engaging events, they inspire young people to take action for a healthier planet and brighter future.
Health & Wellbeing StartUp of the Year – Kuutch
Kuutch is a workplace wellbeing and leadership consultancy focused on embedding wellbeing into business strategy, especially within STEM organisations.
Hospitality, Tourism & Events StartUp of the Year – My Event Concierge
My Event Concierge specialises in crafting unforgettable group experiences, taking the stress out of event planning so guests can focus on making memories.
Innovative StartUp of the Year – EnsiliTech
EnsiliTech has developed a patented platform technology, Ensilication®, that stabilises biopharmaceuticals and vaccines without the need for refrigeration, enabling life-saving medicines to reach patients worldwide even in the hottest climates.
Marketing, Advertising & PR StartUp of the Year – Those Thoughts
Those Thoughts helps businesses build authentic, relatable brands that go beyond logos and colours to truly connect with their audience.
Professional Services StartUp of the Year – Envo Talent
Envo Talent specializes in strategic, data-driven recruitment for the power generation, renewable energy, and sustainability sectors.
Retail & E-Commerce StartUp of the Year – VESNA Aromatherapy
Vesna Aromatherapy creates luxury botanical aromatherapy candles and wax melts using coconut wax, pure essential oils, and natural ingredients. Hand-poured into sleek black tins, each product blends wellbeing with sustainable, feel-good indulgence.
Rising Star Award – The Nutrition Advisory Team
The Nutrition Advisory Team is a pioneering initiative focused on transforming nutrition education in schools and organisations across the UK.
Rural StartUp of the Year – Sunbeam Education
Sunbeam Education provides tailored tutoring and coaching for students with special educational needs, including ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. Their supportive approach empowers both students and families to thrive in education and beyond.
StartUp For Good Award – Eleria
Eleria offers a portable, multi-functional menstrual cup cleaner designed to make using menstrual cups easier and more convenient. By promoting sustainable period care, they help reduce single-use plastic waste and improve the daily experience for menstruators.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year – HenleyPrint3D
HenleyPrint3D is a next-generation additive manufacturing and advanced technologies company. Specializing in FDM, SLA, and SLS, HenleyPrint3D has delivered over 170,000 parts to clients worldwide leveraging automation and AI to provide Europe’s fastest, most reliable 3D printing service.
Fintech StartUp of the Year & Judges Choice – WineFi
WineFi simplifies investing in fine wine, making it as easy and affordable as purchasing an index fund. Their platform opens up wine investment opportunities to a broader audience with transparency and ease.
Manufacturing & Engineering StartUp of the Year & Judges Choice – iMaintain Solutions
iMaintain is revolutionizing production and asset management with its AI-powered CMMS platform, closing workforce skill gaps and preventing knowledge loss by embedding expert intelligence directly into operations.
Media & Entertainment StartUp of the Year & Judges Choice – Critical Kit
Critical Kit is an award-winning publisher of independent tabletop role-playing games and a retailer of dice and accessories, dedicated to enriching the TTRPG community.
The South West showed up in full force and what a night it was. To every founder who took home an award, this was your win, your story, your stage.
A massive thanks as well to the people who made this celebration possible. Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, your drive to spotlight start-ups across the UK is the heartbeat of this tour. To our host, Calvin Eden, your presence lit up the room, bringing the perfect blend of energy, heart, and humour. And to our sponsors and partners, Airwallex, Join Talent, and V-Rum, thank you for backing the businesses shaping tomorrow.
With six stops now complete, the 2025 UK StartUp Awards tour keeps gaining momentum. Here’s where we’re heading next:
19 June – Wales (Cardiff)
24 June – South East (Reading)
25 June – East of England (Cambridge)
26 June – London
To everyone who joined us in Bristol, thank you for bringing the buzz, the brilliance, and the belief in what’s possible. On to the next.
See all of you at Ideas Fest for the National Finals this September.