Medilink Midlands is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2026 Medilink Midlands Business Awards, celebrating excellence, innovation, and leadership across the region’s life sciences and medtech sectors. The awards recognise companies, universities, and healthcare innovators driving growth, improving patient outcomes, and delivering cutting-edge solutions in health and care.
The Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2026 will take place at the Empire Banqueting Hall, Leicester, on Thursday 23rd April 2026. This premier evening will bring together industry leaders, clinicians, academics, and investors to celebrate organisations driving innovation and delivering economic growth. Tickets are available to join the finalists for a night to remember.
Introducing our host – Dr Michael Akadiri
Multi award-winning comedian and NHS doctor, Dr Michael Akadiri, will host the evening, blending medical insight with sharp, observational humour. Michael has appeared on Comedy Central, ITV2’s The Stand Up Sketch Show, and Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer, and frequently provides expert health commentary for BBC Newsnight, LBC, and The Guardian.
Entertainment highlights
- Emily White, award-winning singer-songwriter, will perform a mix of jazz, soul, and timeless classics.
- Totally Vocally, the acclaimed Nottingham-based a cappella choir, will bring their soulful harmonies and infectious energy, performing hits from NYC stages with Pentatonix to sold-out UK shows with Gareth Malone.
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.
Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL, Chair of the Medilink Midlands Board, said:
“These awards celebrate the bold ideas and innovation transforming healthcare and medtech in our region. These finalists are delivering real impact – creating products, services, and partnerships that improve patient outcomes and strengthen our healthcare ecosystem. We look forward to recognising their achievements and bringing together industry, academia, and clinicians for an inspiring evening of connection and celebration. It promises to be a night to remember.”
Book your tickets to join the region’s most innovative and impactful healthtech and life sciences companies at the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2026: Medilink Midlands Business Awards.
ENDS
Media contact:
Zoe Heather, Marketing Manager, Medilink Midlands
