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
- Allergy Rhino
- Dignity Care Network
- FUSE 4 Performance
- OncsCare
- Medhaya
CSR Champion
- Guardtech Cleanrooms
- Personality Disorders
- Snowball
Innovation in Service Delivery
- Haughton Design
- Sequel Consultants
- SISU Health
- University of Birmingham Enterprise
- Upperton Pharma Solutions
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
- 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
- The Simulator Company
Export Achievement – Sponsored by: City of Mentor
- Cellomatics Biosciences
- Kimal PLC
- Quadralene
Sustainability
- Go4Greener Waste Management
- Kimal PLC
- Pd-m
- W.E. Amies and Co. & Symbiotex
Advances in Digital Healthcare
- Denturly
- Entec Health
- Spirit Primary Care
- The Flame Lily Healthcare T/A CheckUp health
- The Simulator Company
Excellence in Innovation
- Blüm Health
- Kimal PLC
- Metaphysis
- Nonacus
- Spirit Primary Care
Outstanding Achievement
- Cellomatics Biosciences
- Japeto
- QuietNote
- Snowball
- Upperton Pharma Solutions
One to Watch – the winner of this judges’ award will be announced on the night, celebrating a standout emerging company in the sector.
Ticket Prices:
- Individual ticket (standard non-member rate) = £185 +VAT
- Individual ticket with member discount = £150 +VAT
- Table rate (standard fee based on 10 people) = £1,700 +VAT
- Table rate (based on 10 people) with member discount = £1,400 +VAT
- For Charity/Student rates please email: [email protected] for more information.
Tickets/Tables: Medilink Member discounts are available, to receive the code email: [email protected]
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].
 | Video Sponsor – AS Studios |
Medilink Midlands offers sponsors a variety of options that meet their specific needs and budgets, whilst maximising the benefits of our network and events.
For our Business Awards, we invite organisations the opportunity to be part of our timeline right from the start of the entry process, all the way through to the event itself so we can guarantee as much exposure as possible for our valued sponsors.
“We’ve supported the awards for many years, and have been a Patron of Medilink Midlands for many years… We really enjoy seeing the whole plethora of different businesses. Within the Midlands, we have such diversity of business, ranging from data analytics through to medtech, biotech and pharma services. It’s a fascinating sector, and the Midlands plays a key role.”
James Fry, Partner and Head of Life Sciences at Mills & Reeve
“I’ve been a keen advocate of Medilink Midlands for the last few years, and it’s a privilege to sponsor one of the awards.”
Janet Worrell, Associate Director, Regulatory at JensonR+
“We’ve been Patrons of Medilink Midlands for over 12 years now, and been working with them for the full 20 years they’ve been in operation. It’s been fantastic to be part of their journey, and being part of the Medilink community by helping companies really succeed is an absolute pleasure.”
Sam Stephens, Director at TBAT Innovation
To be part of our awards through our sponsorship opportunities, email [email protected] to discuss packages.
To view the full gallery of photos taken at the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2025, click here.
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