The Hustle Awards highlight excellence in the tech startup ecosystem while championing diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. If you’re contemplating entering, here are some reasons as to why you should enter and make your mark.

Gain industry credibility

Winning, and even just being shortlisted, for a Hustle Award can significantly enhance your startup’s credibility.

It demonstrates to potential investors, partners, and customers that your business is making impactful strides in its sector, and that you’re putting your business out there for the promotion and recognition it deserves. The awards’ rigorous judging process, overseen by respected industry leaders, ensures that recognition is both meaningful and esteemed.

Don’t just hear it from us, at CES 2025, Startups Magazine caught up with Hustle Awards 2023 winner Tim Balz, CEO and Founder of Kalogon, and he had this to say: "That award meant so much to us, and it was one of the first steps for us expanding into Europe, so now we have some of our products available in eight or nine countries in Europe. To be able to be recognised by an organisation like The Hustle Awards meant a lot."

Amplify brand visibility

Participation in the Hustle Awards provides unmatched PR and marketing opportunities. From featuring in the magazine and getting plenty of social media exposure, the awards can catapult your startup and brand to a whole new audience.

This increased visibility not only strengthens your market position but also attracts potential collaborators and clients, and boost your name when looking for funding.

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

Kellie Johnston, MyWorkSpot, 2024 winner of Workspace of the Year, beamed: “We were so humbled to win a Hustle Award. As a small family business we entered the category for "Workspace of the Year” and genuinely considered not attending the event… perhaps call it imposter syndrome. Our two Directors attended and we couldn’t believe it when MyWorkSpot was announced the winners of the category. The exposure we have had since winning the award has been amazing. The publication reached out to us to be part of its podcast series “The Cereal Entrepreneur” and we have featured in their magazine. Thanks so much for supporting our business and helping it reach its future goals.”

Boost team morale

Recognition at a prestigious event like the Hustle Awards is a powerful motivator for your team. It validates their hard work, fosters a sense of pride, and enhances overall morale. Acknowledging your team’s efforts on such a platform can also improve retention and attract top talent eager to join a celebrated organisation.

This was echoed by Kalogon’s Tim Balz, reflecting on the highlights of winning: “Being able to take that award back to the team. Every day when people walk in [and see the award], that’s how they start their day at work.”

Sam Bangle, Altnets, 2022 winner of Top Performing Team, mentioned: “Winning Top Performing Team gave our employees a huge boost; it’s fantastic to see their achievements be recognised outside of the industry. The award has helped us with a recent recruitment drive, too. All three of our newest team members mentioned the award win as a big draw for them, as they really wanted to be part of the Altnets collective.”

Celebrate innovation and impact

The Hustle Awards celebrate ingenuity, from groundbreaking technology to impactful social initiatives to invaluable startup support.

We feature categories such as “Most Innovative Tech”, “Social Impact Hero”, and “Eco-Warrior(s)” to provide a stage for startups to share their stories and inspire others within the community.

If your startup has pioneered a solution or made a meaningful impact, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your achievements. It is also your chance to truly celebrate what you do.

Lee Chambers Founder of Essentialise Workplace Wellbeing and winner of Most Innovative Tech 2023, said: “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.”

Network with industry leaders

The Hustle Awards attracts a diverse range of attendees, including founders, investors, and other key stakeholders in the startup ecosystem.

The event serves as an invaluable networking platform, offering opportunities to forge connections that could propel your business forward. Every year we hear from attendees that they have found business partners, and opportunities for further growth, through the people they have met at the award evening.

Seize growth opportunities

The credibility and exposure that is gained from the Hustle Awards can open doors to growth opportunities.

From securing funding to attracting strategic partnerships, the benefits extend far beyond the awards night. Previous winners have reported increased investor interest and enhanced market traction following their recognition.

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.”

The evening ceremony

The Hustle Awards evening celebration will once again be taking place at The Steel Yard, London, on the 10th July 2025.

Entries are now open, and will close on the 28th March, which will be followed by the judging process beginning. We will soon be announcing our brand new panel of judges for 2025, so keep an eye out!

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 Hustle Awards 2025 categories

The categories for the 2025 edition of the awards are as follows:

• 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.

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.