13 Startup stars: Who took home trophies at the SeedLegals Awards?

The Roundhouse was alive with anticipation, inspiration and celebration on 14 May 2025. Hundreds of the brightest and boldest founders, investors, and innovators gathered to celebrate the UK’s most exciting startups and scaleups. £60,000+ in prizes up for grabs, 55 finalists and 13 winners. Leading the celebration was the fabulous Lara Lewington, who kept the room buzzing with warmth, wit and unstoppable energy.

From creators of cutting-edge tech to community champions leading change, this year’s winners are redefining what it means to build a business with impact. Without further ado… 🥁

Awards Winners 2025

1000+ nominations, 55 finalists and 13 winners… Thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations to all the finalists and winners.

Startup of the year

The top-performing startup, chosen from the entire list of finalists. This company received the grand prize of £50k equity investment offer. A massive, massive congrats to…. 🥁

🏆Winner: WineFi

WineFi is shaking up fine wine investment – offering expertly curated, diversified portfolios to put exciting opportunities on the table for everyone.

Game changer

Innovation that rewrites the rules. This category celebrates startups that have transformed their industry through groundbreaking technology, creative disruption or bold new ideas. They’re not just keeping up – they’re redefining what’s possible.

Finalists: Cusp AI, Newrotex, Zetta Genomics, Freja, Raeon

🏆 Winner: Zetta Genomics

Data meets life-saving science. Zetta Genomics is unlocking the potential of precision medicine by helping healthcare providers manage and use vast amounts of genomic data. A spin-out from the University of Cambridge, they’re rewriting the rules of personalised healthcare. And it’s only the beginning.

Soonicorn

Meet the next big disruptors. The Soonicorn category recognises startups and scale-ups on a rapid growth trajectory, with the traction, strategy and vision to become the next major brands. They’re proving to have what it takes to scale, innovate and make a lasting impact.

Finalists: Homemove, OX Delivers, Trumpet, Fin Sustainable Logistics, Circuit

🏆 Winner: Fin Sustainable Logistics

This AI-powered logistics startup is making last-mile delivery smarter, faster, and greener. By optimising routes and cutting operational costs, Fin Mile is helping retailers boost margins and reduce emissions – all with the power of predictive tech.

Fund of the year

Fueling the next generation of startups. This award recognises a fund that has shown outstanding commitment to backing innovative small businesses through SEIS or EIS. By providing the capital, expertise and support founders need to thrive, you’re driving real impact in the UK startup ecosystem.

Finalists: SFC Capital, Seedcamp, AI Seed Fund, Active Partners, Haatch

🏆 Winner: Haatch

Haatch is laser-focused on helping B2B SaaS startups go from first traction to £10M+ in revenue. Backed by operators who’ve been there, scaled that, their hands-on support is turning ambitious founders into serious scaleups.

Eco innovator

Say hello to the companies making a real impact through sustainability or pioneering Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives. They’re proving that innovation and responsibility go hand in hand, creating solutions that drive positive change for the planet and society.

Finalists: Ceraphi Energy, UCR Group, Advanced Infrastructure, C-Source Renewables, UNDO

🏆 Winner: UNDO

Their mission: To remove one billion tonnes of CO₂. How? With enhanced rock weathering, a natural solution to a global problem. UNDO is helping farmers and the planet, proving that carbon removal can be scalable, sustainable – and seriously smart.

Captivating mission

Some startups chase success. But these category winners are driven by something bigger. celebrating founders and teams who are making a real impact, not just in their industry, but in the world around them. With a mission that matters and results to back it up, they’re proving that business can be a force for good.
Finalists: Zetta Genomics, Mobilise, WeWALK, Enhanced Fertility, Eave

🏆 Winner: WeWALK

WeWALK is transforming how visually impaired people navigate the world. Their AI-integrated smart cane and accessible mobility app are packed with innovation… and heart. This is purpose-led tech at its best.

Inspiring Entrepreneur

The UK startup ecosystem is powered by people who lift others up. This category recognises the individuals and organisations creating opportunities, fostering connections, and making the founder journey smoother. Their work strengthens the community, helping startups grow, thrive and succeed together.

Finalists: Deji Akande, Dr Tom Pey, Phil Kemish, Akshay, Ruparelia, Simon Squibb

🏆 Winner: Dr Tom Pey

Angel of the year

Incredible investors backing the future of startups. This award celebrates angel investors who have not only provided capital but played a key role in helping startups grow and innovate. Your strategic investments, mentorship and support have made a lasting impact on the UK startup ecosystem.
Finalists: JP Harrop, Nicolas Lenz, Sutin Yang, Ziyaad Aboobaker, Xavier Collins

🏆 Winner: Sutin Yang

As an investor, mentor and community advocate, Sutin Yang brings more than money to the table. With a sharp eye for potential and a big heart for founders, she’s helping early-stage startups grow with clarity and confidence.

Top workplace

Great businesses start with great teams. This category recognises startups that have built an outstanding workplace culture – where talent thrives, employees feel valued and people love what they do. Whether it’s through innovation, inclusivity or leadership, They’re setting the standard for what a top workplace should be.

Finalists: ComplyCube, Albotherm, Lem-uhn, Zinc, Foundervine

🏆 Winner: Zinc

Zinc turns background checks from painful to painless. But inside the company, they’re building a culture that’s just as impressive. It’s inclusive, empowering and built for people to thrive. A top workplace, from every angle.

Community leader

Startups don’t succeed in isolation – they thrive in strong communities. This category recognises the individuals and organisations fueling the UK startup ecosystem, creating opportunities and making life easier for founders. By bringing people together and driving collaboration, they’re shaping the future of entrepreneurship.

Finalists: The Portfolio Collective, BAE HQ, The Chaincademy, Hive Founders, Baltic Ventures

🏆 Winner: Baltic Ventures

Based in Liverpool, Baltic Ventures is shaking up startup support in the North. Their accelerator gives underrepresented founders investment, coaching, and – most importantly – a network that has their back.

Social Sensation

Some brands talk, these brands get people talking. This category recognises startups that have built a powerful presence on social media – driving engagement, creating standout campaigns and turning followers into fans. Their influence goes beyond likes and shares – it makes a real impact.

Finalists: Tootilab, The Seam, Wild, WineFi, ivee

🏆 Winner: Wild

With cheeky, clever campaigns and community-driven growth, Wild has nailed the art of building a brand people genuinely want to shout about. From TikTok takeovers to zero-waste launches – they’re social-savvy and sensational.

Outstanding achievement

A founder that’s achieved something remarkable. This award celebrates a standout founder in the SeedLegals community – someone who has pushed boundaries, made an impact, and set new standards in their industry. This one’s picked personally by Anthony Rose.

 🏆 Winner: Definely

Definely is the only unified solution that helps lawyers at every pre-execution stage of the contract lifecycle – all with one plugin. They’ve scaled extraordinarily fast in a short time with some remarkable fundraising success (more on that here). 

Customer Champion

Exceptional customer experiences don’t happen by chance. This category celebrates startups that put their customers first, delivering standout service, building loyalty and setting new standards for engagement. With an impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS) and a track record of going the extra mile, you’re proving that happy customers are the key to lasting success.

Finalists: Kostüme, Qured, Vento, Wild, ComplyCube

🏆 Winner: Wild

Wild’s deodorants are refillable, natural, and incredibly good-looking. But what really sets them apart? Obsessed-with-quality customer care and a fast-growing community who love what they stand for. Sustainable, stylish, loved – it’s no wonder they’re a THREE-time SeedLegals Startup Awards winner.

Thank you to the companies that made it possible

A massive thank you to our sensational sponsors who made this all possible. We’re grateful to work with such awesome companies all doing their bit to fuel innovation:

Remote, Wise Business, Innovation Broking Embryonic, Round Treasury, Penfold, Novabook, Agile Accountants, Novidian ,  Elavate, Drop Project, Dr Funk, NOBL WATR, Kaytea, Dalston’s Soda Co, Borough 22, Cold Brew Coffee Co, Our Glass, Ikoyi Chapmans, Tinston, Love Eat

And a special thank you to VidOps for capturing the magic with brilliant photography and videography and The Journey who filmed all stage action, winner announcements and interviews on the night. 

Stay in the loop

Huge congratulations again to all the winners and finalists! You’re pushing boundaries, setting new standards and proving that UK startups are a force to be reckoned with. Learn more about each finalist and semi-finalist here. 

Stay in the loop on all our latest news, events and updates about the 2026 awards👇