Every year the awards continue to grow and expand, and this year we have listened to our audience and opened the submission portal early. Whether you would like to submit your entry before the end of the year, or submit your entry in the new year as part of your new year’s resolution, the entry portal is open for both of these key milestones.

The Hustle Awards recognises the best innovation, passion, creativity, and dedication in the startup ecosystem.

We mark the outstanding achievements of businesses, individuals, and new ideas, and ensure they get the credit and celebration they deserve. Make sure you enter this to give your startup and yourself a chance to shine.

Key dates for the Hustle Awards 2025

• 13th November 2024: entries open
• 28th March 2025: entries close
• 14th April 2025: the judging process begins
• 10th July 2025: the Hustle Awards evening celebration

Just a heads up, if you buy tickets for the award evening before the entry portal closes, you will be eligible for an early-early bird discount, so it’s definitely worth securing those tickets ASAP!

The categories for 2025

We have been busy behind the scenes, and have a total of 13 categories this year, one of which is completely new for 2025. So no matter what you do in your business, or across the tech startup industry, there is now a category for everyone.

To make the process as easy as possible, we’ve put together a comprehensive downloadable e-guide to help you create an award-winning entry, which highlights what the judges will be looking for, and will also help you figure out which category, or categories, are best for you!

This year’s categories:

• Founder of the Year
• Young Entrepreneur Award
• Top Performing Team
• Game-Changing Investor Award
• Eco-Warrior(s) Award
• Outstanding Startup Support
• Inspirational Woman of the Industry
• Most Innovative Tech
• Social Impact Hero(es)
• Most Successful Scaleup
• Early-Stage Innovation Award
• Workspace of the Year
• Readers’ Choice Award

Download the entry guidelines here to find out more.

Testimonials from past winners

“A great event! Really amazing to share the evening with so many inspiring organisations and founders, and to come home winners of the ‘Readers’ Choice’ award was the icing on the cake,” commented Sophie Fryer, Allia’s Senior Marketing Officer and winner of Readers’ Choice Award 2023. 

“This is the award ceremony that hard working startups need, a party, a time to celebrate, not rigid and traditional, it’s forward thinking like the majority of the founders in the room,” said Lee Chambers Founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing and winner of Most Innovative Tech 2023.  

“Without a doubt the most credible startup awards in the country. So scooping one of the headline tech awards catapulted us to the top of investor and partner conversations,” commented Thomas Vosper, Founder of Aisle 3 and 2022 winner of Most Innovative Tech. 

Dr Pauldy Otermans, Otermans Institute and 2022 winner of Inspirational Woman of the Industry, mentioned: "Being nominated for the first time at the Hustle Awards was in itself a brilliant surprise. Winning it was extraordinary! Since then, I have also been named as one of the 22 inspirational women of 2022 and I am grateful for the part my recognition at the Hustle Awards may have played in it. Finally, I really loved the organisational style of the event and it led to many, many connections.”

Being shortlisted or winning will provide your business with the highest level of credibility when securing funding, will improve brand visibility through extensive PR and marketing opportunities, and help attract and retain top class talent.

View the categories now and find the perfect one for you, that recognises all your businesses, peoples, and teams hard work!

For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.