Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2026 celebrates sector excellence with increased entries and regional impact
A powerful celebration of innovation across life sciences and medtech took place as the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2026 brought together industry leaders, innovators, and collaborators from across the region.
Hosted by Medilink Midlands, the annual awards recognised the organisations and individuals driving forward innovation, improving patient outcomes, and delivering real-world impact across the sector.
This year’s awards saw a 17% increase in applications compared to 2025, highlighting continued momentum, ambition, and growth across the life sciences and medtech community.
2026 Winners
- Start-up: Dignity Care Network
- CSR Champion: Guardtech Group
- Innovation in Service Delivery: Upperton Pharma Solutions
- Partnership between Academia and Business: University of Birmingham and Nonacus
- Delivering Innovation into Health and Care: The Real Birth Company
- Export: Quadralene
- Sustainability: Kimal PLC
- Advances in Digital Healthcare: The Flame Lily Healthcare
- Excellence in Innovation: Spirit Primary Care
- Outstanding Achievement: Upperton Pharma Solutions
- Judges Award: Cellomatics Biosciences
Most category winners from the Medilink Midlands Business Awards are automatically shortlisted for the national Medilink UK Awards, taking place on 9 July in London, where they will represent the region alongside peers from across the UK.
Speaking following the event, Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL, Chair of Medilink Midlands, said:
“The Medilink Midlands Business Awards continue to showcase the exceptional strength, diversity and innovation within our region’s life sciences and medtech sector.
The calibre of this year’s finalists and winners reflects the depth of capability we have across the Midlands, and the role our ecosystem plays in supporting the development and adoption of new solutions that improve patient outcomes.
Congratulations to all winners and finalists and thank you to everyone who contributed to another outstanding event.”
The Medilink Midlands Business Awards continue to play a vital role in showcasing the region’s capabilities, bringing together organisations from across industry, academia, and healthcare, and championing the innovation pipeline from concept through to adoption.
The increase in entries compared to 2025 reflects a sector that continues to strengthen, innovate, and collaborate at pace.
Innovation, Collaboration, and Excellence Celebrated at Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2026
The region’s most innovative and impactful healthtech and life sciences companies will be recognised at the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2026, taking place at the Empire Banqueting Hall, Leicester on Thursday April 23rd 2026.
Organised by Medilink Midlands, the awards aim to bring together industry leaders, clinicians, academics, and investors to celebrate organisations driving innovation, improving patient outcomes, and delivering economic growth.
Introducing our host – Dr Michael Akadiri
Stand-up Comedian | Resident Doctor | Health Commentator
We’re thrilled to welcome Dr Michael Akadiri as our host for the Medilink Midlands Business Awards!
A multi award-winning comedian and NHS doctor, Michael blends medical insight with sharp, observational humour, making him the perfect host for a night celebrating innovation in healthcare and life sciences.
You may have seen him on Comedy Central, ITV2’s The Stand Up Sketch Show, or Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer, and heard him sharing expert health commentary on BBC Newsnight, LBC, and The Guardian.
From the wards to the world of comedy, Michael brings wit, warmth, and a doctor’s perspective on the lighter side of life in healthcare.
Entertainment announcement – Emily White
Award winning singer-songwriter
Emily brings a unique blend of jazz, soul, and timeless classics from the 70s through to today. We can’t wait for Emily to bring her rich sound and signature style to the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2026, it’s set to be an unforgettable evening.
An award-winning singer-songwriter whose soulful vocals and jazz-inspired piano style have captivated audiences across the UK.
See more here.
Adding something truly special to the line-up, Totally Vocally will be bringing their incredible a cappella magic to the awards.
From NYC stages with Pentatonix to sold-out shows at Nottingham Playhouse with Gareth Malone, this Nottingham-based choir is known for soulful harmonies, funky grooves, and an infectious energy that will light up the room.
Finalists for 2026:
Start-up – Sponsored by: Creative Networks
- Dignity Care Network – Winner
- Allergy Rhino
- Dignity Care Network
- FUSE 4 Performance
- OncsCare
- Medhaya
CSR Champion – Sponsored by: Invictus Games Birmingham 2027
- Guardtech Cleanrooms – Winner
- Personality Disorders
- Snowball
Innovation in Service Delivery – Sponsored by: MDTI
- Haughton Design
- Sequel Consultants
- SISU Health
- University of Birmingham Enterprise
- Upperton Pharma Solutions – Winner
Partnership between Academia and Business – Sponsored by: Anglia Ruskin University, Arise Innovation Hub
- College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University & Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (ROH)
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham & National Biofilms Innovation Centre
- University of Birmingham & Nonacus – Winner
- University of Nottingham, Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Optics & Photonics Research Group & Medical Photonics
- University of Warwick – Biomedical Sciences & Kimal PLC
Delivering Innovation into Health and Care – Sponsored by: Health Innovation East Midlands & Health Innovation West Midlands
- EnrichMyCare
- Oxartis
- The Flame Lily Healthcare T/A CheckUp health
- The Real Birth Company – Winner
- The Simulator Company
Export Achievement – Sponsored by: City of Mentor
- Cellomatics Biosciences
- Kimal PLC
- Quadralene – Winner
Sustainability – Sponsored by: Pennine Healthcare
- Go4Greener Waste Management
- Kimal PLC – Winner
- Pd-m
- Amies Technical Plastics & Symbiotex
Advances in Digital Healthcare – Sponsored by: Adamson Jones
- Denturly
- Entec Health
- Spirit Primary Care
- The Flame Lily Healthcare – Winner
- The Simulator Company
Excellence in Innovation – Sponsored by: Venturefest West Midlands 2026
- Blüm Health
- Kimal PLC
- Metaphysis
- Nonacus
- Spirit Primary Care – Winner
Outstanding Achievement – Sponsored by: Pioneer Group
- Cellomatics Biosciences
- Japeto
- QuietNote
- Snowball
- Upperton Pharma Solutions – Winner
Judges Award – Cellomatics Biosciences
Each year, the awards recognise the most exceptional and innovative life sciences and medtech companies and industry collaborations.
Applications for the 2026 season are now open.
2026 categories
Applications are now open. **New nomination method – quick and easy way to nominate a deserving organisation**
Click on the tabs below to view the category descriptions.
Celebrate those making a real difference in healthcare and life sciences – nominate your Innovation Hero for the 2026 Awards.
Awarded to the company who demonstrate how digital technologies were employed to enhance current service delivery or create new ways of delivering healthcare.
This award aims to recognise an organisation or individual that has demonstrated commitment to corporate social responsibility. The applicant must be able to demonstrate how they have helped to tackle key health, social or environmental issues through their CSR activities along with the impact had.
For an innovation that is being adopted by the NHS and that has demonstrated an impact on efficacy, patient outcomes and NHS system costs.
For the development of innovative technology, design and/or processes that have produced a major improvement in business performance & impacted the market.
For substantial growth in overseas earnings and commercial successes.
The Innovation in Service Delivery Award recognises service providers in the Med-Tech and Life Science sectors that have demonstrated exceptional creativity and ingenuity in their approach to service delivery. This award is for companies or individuals that have developed additional benefits or added value for customers along with innovative solutions or processes that have significantly improved the quality, efficiency, or accessibility of their services.
For an outstanding achievement that has had a significant or vital impact on the company and market showing potential for continued growth.
Awarded to the company who demonstrate how the collaboration / partnership has or will enhance current service delivery or create new ways of delivering healthcare.
For newly established companies that show a promising future.
For a commitment to change within an organisation that has been clearly communicated both internally and externally.
For businesses which show a great deal of potential.
The recipient of this award is decided by the judges.
For any queries regarding applications, please contact [email protected].
Sponsor | Award | Profile |
|---|---|---|
 | Start-Up | Creative Networks is a client-focused, security-driven Managed IT Provider. It delivers secure, scalable, and cost-effective IT, cloud, and cybersecurity solutions, acting as a trusted long-term partner to help businesses grow.
|
 | Innovation in Service Delivery | MDTi is a UK-based healthcare innovation company that develops and commercialises medical devices in collaboration with clinicians. Specialising in turning clinical insight into practical, market-ready products designed to improve patient care and outcomes, combining innovation with regulatory and commercial expertise.
|
 | Outstanding Achievement | The Pioneer Group develops and operates innovation campuses across the UK and Ireland for science and technology businesses. By combining lab space with investment and expert support, it helps entrepreneurs and researchers turn ideas into successful real-world solutions.
|
 | Delivering Innovation into Health and Care | Health Innovation East Midlands and Health Innovation West Midlands are health innovation adoption experts.
They work locally as part of the national Health Innovation Network to transform lives through innovation by supporting health and social care teams to find, test and implement new solutions to the NHS’ greatest challenges, driving economic growth.
|
 | Export Achievement | The City of Mentor, Ohio, USA – a regional economic hub, home to numerous medtech and biotech firms, including STERIS Corporation. Specialising in a complimentary concierge-based approach for SME’s and scale-ups to build business relationships and investment attraction.
|
 | Partnership between Business and Academia | Arise Innovation Hubs offer high quality office space and virtual membership; supporting businesses to thrive, in the Life Science, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital and Technology sectors.
|
 | Sustainability Award | Pennine Healthcare is proud to be one of the UK’s leading employee-owned manufacturers and distributors of single-use sterile and non-sterile ward and theatre consumables, as well as custom procedure packs and specialists in medical device packaging.
|
 | CSR Champion | Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 (IG27) is the UK-hosted edition of the Invictus Games, an international adaptive sports event founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, to support the recovery of wounded, injured and sick (WIS) service personnel and veterans. IG27 works with partners across defence, healthcare and communities to create sustained opportunities for recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. In Birmingham and across the UK, the Games will support more than 1,500 WIS individuals and their families through targeted impact programmes, while strengthening connections between the Armed Forces and wider society.
|
 | Excellence in Innovation Award | Venturefest West Midlands provides investors, innovators and entrepreneurs the chance to meet, engage and exchange ideas for co-operation and collaboration, particularly in the fields of science and emerging technologies.
|
 | Advances in Digital Healthcare | Adamson Jones is a dedicated patent and trademark practice specialising in obtaining intellectual property rights for businesses and organisations in the UK, Europe and globally. It supports innovators in digital healthcare and life sciences, helping protect and commercialise IP across software, medical devices and biotechnology to enable real-world impact.
|
 | Video Sponsor – AS Studios |
To view the full gallery of photos taken at the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2026, click here.
Access code: medilink2026
