OPUS Launches the Second Investec Early Stage Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
The Investec ESEY Awards by OPUS have returned for 2026, launching a global search for the founders building companies that could define the future.
Following a standout inaugural year, the awards are back with twice as many categories, a significantly larger investment opportunity and more support for founders at the beginning of their journey.
The future belongs to those building it. The search to find them is now open.
Bigger ambition and more opportunities for founders
The 2026 ESEY Awards will recognise founders across ten categories:
- The Future is Female
- The Future of Services
- The Future of AI
- The Future of Finance
- The Future of Our Planet
- The Future of Consumer
- The Future of Enterprise
- The Future of Creativity
- The Future of Health
- The Future of Education and Work
The categories span technology, physical products, professional services and operational businesses, creating more opportunities for founders from different industries and with different business models to put themselves forward.
One global winner will receive $250,000 in investment from Day Zero.
Every category winner will join the OPUS delegation in Davos during the World Economic Forum and receive a year inside OPUS.
Every applicant will also receive free access to tools and events designed to strengthen their application, sharpen their story and help them assess their investment readiness.
Championing founders before success looks inevitable
The ESEY Awards were created to recognise entrepreneurs before they become household names, at the stage when the right backing, recognition and introduction can still change the trajectory of a company.
Lord Leong CBE, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Small Business and Enterprise, said:
“Having been an entrepreneur myself, I know that starting a business takes courage, resilience and a willingness to take risks when there are no guarantees. We are thrilled to recognise and support those who take that leap. These awards do exactly that: they celebrate the founders at the beginning of their journey and help give them the confidence, connections and opportunity to turn an idea into a thriving business. Businesses, from across the UK, that will help create jobs and drive growth in every postcode.
We are making it easier for ambitious entrepreneurs to access support, guidance, opportunities and finance through initiatives like the Business Growth Service, Export Support, InnovateUK and the British Business Bank. Whether someone is taking their first step as a founder or preparing to scale, this Government is determined to make it easier for entrepreneurs to start, scale and stay in the UK.”
This focus on the earliest stages reflects a wider belief that backing entrepreneurs does more than support individual companies. It creates employment, attracts investment and strengthens economies.
Cumesh Moodliar, CEO of Investec South Africa and ESEY judge, said:
“Great entrepreneurs create value far beyond their businesses. They create employment, attract investment, strengthen industries and help economies grow. At Investec, many of our longest-standing client relationships began with entrepreneurial ambition, and we have had the privilege of supporting founders as they grow across markets, generations and geographies. The ESEYs recognise the next generation of business builders, and we are proud to celebrate those whose vision and determination have the potential to create lasting global impact.”
Backing the next generation of growth
Recognition can make the greatest difference before a founder has an established profile, extensive network or obvious access to capital.
The ESEY Awards aim to bring promising founders into view earlier and connect them with the people, knowledge and opportunities that could help them build companies of real consequence.
Kristen McLeod CBE, Chief Strategy Officer at British Business Bank and ESEY judge, said:
“Backing early-stage entrepreneurs is ultimately about backing our future growth. The ESEYs matter because they shine a light on ambitious founders at the point when recognition, networks and access to capital can make the greatest difference. At the British Business Bank, our mission is to unlock potential and help innovative businesses start, scale and stay. We’re proud to support the ESEYs because they celebrate that entrepreneurial talent, widen access to opportunity and help give the next generation of founders the platform they need to build businesses of real consequence.”
The inaugural awards revealed an extraordinary depth of entrepreneurial talent. In 2026, the ambition is to widen that search and uncover even more founders who see opportunities, industries and futures differently.
Erin Platts, CEO of Octopus Investments and Octopus Ventures and ESEY judge, said:
“Some of the world’s most transformative companies begin with founders who simply see the future before everyone else. These awards are about finding those entrepreneurs early and giving them access to a community that can help them scale. The quality of founders we saw in year one was remarkable, and year two promises to raise the bar again.”
Built for the reality of founding
Building a company can be uncertain, demanding and deeply personal. The ESEYs are designed to celebrate that reality and recognise the founders who continue building without any guarantee that success will follow.
Lestat McCree, Co-Founder of Healf and ESEY judge, added:
“Entrepreneurship is one of the hardest, loneliest, most challenging paths someone can voluntarily pick. I am honoured to serve as a judge at this year's ESEY's, knowing full well just how insane young entrepreneurs have to be."
Talent and ambition are widely distributed, but opportunity is not. Through an expanded network of judges, sponsors and partners, the ESEYs aim to help more founders gain access to encouragement, expertise and meaningful support.
Simon Squibb, Founder and Chairman of HelpBnk and Dream Inc. and ESEY judge, added:
“Great ideas are everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. Too many people with the talent and ambition to build something extraordinary never get the access, encouragement or recognition they deserve. That’s why HelpBnk is partnering with the ESEYs. They’re celebrating the next generation of entrepreneurs, and we are excited to help support founders who might otherwise never get their shot.”
Backed by a global founder ecosystem
The 2026 ESEY Awards are supported by an expanded group of organisations from across finance, technology, venture capital, professional services and the founder ecosystem.
Investec returns as Lead Partner, joined by Day Zero, Harmonic, Caplia, careless, HelpBnk, The Female Lead, British Business Bank, Paysafe, ServiceNow, Boodles, Endava, QED Investors, Pale Blue Dot, JamJar Investments, Notion Capital, Healf, HSF Kramer, Lovable, Miro, Redrice Ventures and LvlUp Ventures.
Together, these organisations are helping provide investment, tools, expertise, community and visibility to founders across all ten categories.
The judging panel brings together experienced founders, investors and business leaders who understand what it takes to create and scale a company. The panel includes Marc Porat, Chris Tottman, Erin Platts, Imtiaz Patel, Jeff Lynn, Yusuf Özdalga, Rowena Humby, Alistair Brownlee OBE, Ilona Logvinova, Maya Raichoora, Shelley Zalis, Cumesh Moodliar, Simon Squibb, Edwina Dunn OBE and leaders from organisations across the global founder ecosystem.
They are not looking for perfect polish. They are looking for founders with the substance, ambition and evidence to shape the future.
A global search for what comes next
OPUS is building a global community that connects founders with the capital, networks, knowledge and opportunities needed to create enduring companies.
The ESEY Awards reflect that mission by celebrating entrepreneurs at the beginning, before the rest of the world knows their names.
Sam Tidswell-Norrish, Founder and Chair of OPUS, said:
“Last year proved there is extraordinary entrepreneurial talent waiting to be discovered. This year we’re thinking much bigger. Our ambition is to build the world’s most recognised platform for celebrating early-stage founders before the rest of the world knows their names. The ESEYs are about creating opportunity, opening networks and helping exceptional entrepreneurs realise their full potential. Thank you to Investec, the judges and our partners for their support in building so much momentum. Let the celebration of entrepreneurship and the global search begin!”
Founders, investors, operators and supporters of entrepreneurship are invited to take part in the biggest edition of the awards yet.
2025 was the proof. 2026 is the opportunity.
Building the future? We are looking for you.