About the Awards
Join us for the inaugural Scaleup North East Alumni Awards, a celebration of the ambitious businesses, founders and teams that are driving growth, innovation and resilience across the region.
Bringing together the North East’s scaleup community, this special event will recognise the achievements of businesses that have taken bold steps to grow, create jobs, develop innovative products and services, and make a lasting impact on the regional economy.
The awards are an opportunity to celebrate not only commercial success, but also the determination, leadership and teamwork that sit behind every growth journey.
As the first-ever Scaleup North East Alumni Awards, the event marks an important milestone for the programme and the hundreds of businesses it has supported over the last eight years.
Why the Awards Matter
The Scaleup North East Alumni Awards have been created to recognise and celebrate the businesses, founders and teams that have been part of the Scaleup North East journey.
The evening will bring together our alumni community to celebrate success, share inspiring stories and recognise the contribution these businesses continue to make to the North East economy.
Award Categories
Growth Story Award - Recognising a business that has demonstrated an impressive journey of growth and development.
Innovation Award - Celebrating a business that has embraced innovation to develop new products, services, processes or ways of working.
Rising Star Award - Recognising an emerging business or leader demonstrating strong potential and ambition for future growth.
Team Performance Award - Celebrating a team whose collaboration, commitment and performance have played a key role in business growth and success.
Social Impact Award - Recognising a business making a positive difference to its people, communities or the wider region.
Scaleup Resilience Award - Celebrating a business that has demonstrated determination, adaptability and resilience while navigating the challenges of growth.
Outstanding Scale Up - Recognising an outstanding Scaleup North East alumni business that demonstrates ambition, achievement and a significant contribution to the region.
Event Details
Date: Friday 16 October 2026
Time: 5pm–9pm
Venue: Tyne Bank, 375 Walker Road, Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2AB
About Scaleup North East
Scaleup North East supports ambitious businesses through expert-led growth support, mentoring, workshops and peer-to-peer learning.
Over the last eight years, the programme has supported hundreds of ambitious businesses across the region to scale sustainably and confidently, while building a strong network of founders, investors, business leaders and partners committed to driving growth in the North East.
Shortlisted Businesses
Outstanding Scaleup
iPac
Rheal
Inflo
Growth Story Award
Inflo
Jackson Hogg
Samuel Knight
Innovation Award
Rezon
Kinewell
iPac
Rising Star Award
Bon Bloemen
Merwave
Tiba Tempeh
Team Performance Award
EB Unlocked
NatWest Accelerator
NET
Impact Award
Simon Berry Optometrists
OddBalls
Better Health (Nursem)
Scaleup Resilience Award
Talentheads
PaddlePod
Pink Boutique
FAQs
Who can attend the Scaleup North East Alumni Awards?
The Scaleup North East Alumni Awards are open to businesses, founders, teams and supporters from across the North East business community. Whether you’ve been part of the Scaleup North East programme or simply want to join us in celebrating the region’s scaleup success stories, you’re welcome to attend. Tickets are now available on general sale.