NEWS

Some of the North East’s most ambitious businesses have been named as finalists for the inaugural Scaleup North East Alumni Awards 2026, as Bdaily is announced as the event’s official media partner.

Taking place on Friday 16 October 2026 at Tyne Bank in Newcastle, the awards will bring together the Scaleup North East community to celebrate the businesses, founders and teams driving growth, innovation and resilience across the region.

The inaugural awards mark an important milestone for Scaleup North East, celebrating the achievements of businesses that have been part of the programme over the last eight years and recognising the people and teams behind their growth journeys.

Businesses have been shortlisted across seven categories, recognising achievements spanning growth, innovation, team performance, impact and resilience.

2026 Shortlist

Outstanding Scaleup

iPac

Rheal

Inflo

Growth Story Award

Inflo  

Jackson Hogg

Samuel Knight

Innovation Award

Rezon

Kinewell

iPac

Rising Star Award

Bon Bloemen

Merwave

Tiba Tempeh

Team Performance Award

EB Unlocked

NatWest Accelerator

NET

Impact Award

Simon Berry Optometrists

OddBalls

Better Health (Nursem)

Scaleup Resilience Award

Talentheads

PaddlePod

Pink Boutique

The awards have been created to recognise not only commercial success, but also the ambition, leadership, innovation, teamwork and determination that underpin business growth.

Alongside the shortlist, Bdaily has been announced as the official media partner for the Scaleup North East Alumni Awards 2026, helping to showcase the businesses and people being recognised and build momentum in the run-up to the inaugural event.

The partnership will see Bdaily support the awards campaign in the weeks leading up to the event, providing a platform to share finalist news, event updates and stories from across the Scaleup North East community.

Graham Stafford, Programme Manager at Scaleup North East, said:

“The Scaleup awards are to celebrate the past success of the teams and people that have been part of the programme, and to act as beacons for the future, setting new benchmarks for what is possible”

Steven Hugill, editor-in-chief of NET and Bdaily, said:

“The shortlist reflects the ambition, innovation and resilience that exists across the North East business community, and the important contribution these companies and their people make to the regional economy.

“Bdaily is proud to be the awards’ official media partner, and we look forward to helping showcase the finalists and the stories behind their growth.”

The winners will be revealed at the Scaleup North East Alumni Awards on Friday 16 October, when finalists and invited guests will come together at Tyne Bank in Newcastle for the inaugural celebration.

The evening will provide an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Scaleup North East alumni, reconnect businesses from across the programme’s eight-year history and recognise the contribution ambitious businesses continue to make to the North East economy.

Tickets now on general sale

Tickets for the Scaleup North East Alumni Awards 2026 are now on general sale. If you’d like to join us in celebrating the region’s scaleup community, visit https://scaleupnortheast.co.uk/events-article/scaleup-north-east-alumni-awards-2026 to find out more and book your place.

About Scaleup North East

Scaleup North East supports ambitious businesses through expert-led growth support, mentoring, workshops and peer-to-peer learning.

Over the last eight years, the programme has supported hundreds of businesses across the region to scale sustainably and confidently, while building a strong network of founders, business leaders, investors and partners committed to driving growth across the North East.