Did you know, 89% of last year's King’s Awards for Enterprise winners were SMEs - including micro businesses? No matter the size of your business, this is your chance to apply for the UK’s most prestigious business award.
Widely regarded as the highest official accolade a UK business can receive, the King's Awards for Enterprise recognise outstanding achievement in five categories:
- Innovation
- International Trade
- Sustainable Development
- Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility
- Young Founder
The awards celebrate organisations that are making a significant impact in their sector, their communities, and the wider economy. Beyond the prestige of receiving royal recognition, winning a King's Award delivers significant business benefits. Recipients are entitled to use the King's Awards emblem for five years, enhancing their credibility with customers, suppliers, investors, and international partners.
Three-time King’s Awards winner, Opro International, is ,a leading producer of sports mouthguard protection, with a manufacturing base in Hemel Hempstead. Chairman Anthony Lovat, said: “Whilst the Award application process may be rigorous, the benefits of winning far outweigh any of the challenges involved. The most positive effect for us has been in international sales. Being able to print the logo on our packaging and use it on our website and marketing material has given us prestige and sets us apart from our competitors.”
Watford-based Sole Bliss, which specialises in stylish footwear for those with bunions and wide feet, won the Award in 2025, and counts the Queen as a repeat customer. CEO and Founder Lisa Kay said: “Winning the King’s Awards for Enterprise has been absolutely transformational for Sole Bliss. To receive this recognition for our international trade success validates everything we’ve worked towards since launching in 2017 – proving that British innovation can solve real problems and compete on the global stage.”
How to register
Before beginning your application, check your eligibility.
Getting started is simple. You will be asked to provide evidence of your achievements and business impact before submitting your entry. Support is available throughout the process. Apply via the gov.uk portal before 1pm on Tuesday, 8 September.
Whilst the Award application process may be rigorous, the benefits of winning far outweigh any of the challenges involved. The most positive effect for us has been in international sales.
Whilst the Award application process may be rigorous, the benefits of winning far outweigh any of the challenges involved. The most positive effect for us has been in international sales.