The BCG UK Social Enterprise Award aims to elevate the most exciting social enterprises in the UK and provide them with an even greater platform for future success. We are seeking emerging leaders who are effecting positive change in the fields of health, education, and social mobility.
Building on the success of our 2024 award, we are pleased to announce that we will be hosting an exciting event in Summer 2026 where the most innovative UK social enterprises will present their pioneering projects to a panel of prominent UK business and social sector leaders. One winner will then be selected and receive dedicated support from a BCG team for a ~8 week strategy engagement, providing a unique opportunity to accelerate the scaling of their impact.
Why should you apply?
Network and receive advice from top UK business and social sector leaders
Finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their organisation and pitch their plan before a final jury that includes top UK business and social sector leaders. As well as selecting the winner, they will also offer invaluable, tailored feedback to each participant — offering a unique opportunity for personalised input from some of the UK's most influential business and social sector leaders. Every organisation that makes it through to the Semi-Final will receive coaching from BCG employees in the lead-up to our pitching events, and bespoke feedback based on your proposals.
Elevate your social impact
The winner will work with a dedicated, full-time BCG UK team to craft strategy, plan expansion, or build new capabilities – accelerating its ability to scale its impact. The winning team will also have regular advisory sessions with BCG UK partners to receive expert guidance, as well as access to BCG’s extensive resources, including our global network of industry experts and support from BCG's research and technical teams.
Gain visibility
Participants will benefit from high-profile media exposure through our marketing activities and partnerships. We are partnering with leading organisations that can provide additional exposure through their network of companies and investors.
Hear from our past participants
Here’s what participants in our 2024 event had to say:
For us, this award will mean that we can think really hard about how to go deeper for patients with a brain tumour in terms of providing them with equitable access to research, treatment and care. It will also help us to think about rolling out our model to cancer patients with other hard-to-treat cancers. — Nicky Huskens, CEO Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission
It has been a privilege to meet some of the UK’s most impressive social entrepreneurs, and hear about the impact they’re driving in the fields of health, education, and social mobility. — Jessica Frame, Managing Director of Retail at Halfords (and former BCG Managing Partner)
We need more spaces and awards and discussions such as this to raise the profile of scalable social enterprises and to support and nurture more social innovation, and more social impact. — Nicole Helwig, Executive Director Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation
Our Themes for 2026
Health
Improving public health and well-being.
Education
Enhancing educational attainment and quality for all learners.
Social Mobility
Reducing inequality and promoting opportunities for social advancement.
Eligibility
We welcome applications from social enterprises — either for-profit organisations with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose, or non-profit organisations with particularly innovative ways of creating social impact.
We are targeting applications from organisations that have been in operation for at least two years, with an annual turnover of at least £500k. We also welcome non-profit organisations of a similar size and operational history. If your organisation fits these criteria, we warmly invite you to apply.
BCG will not take equity in any of the ventures and it is free for all eligible businesses to participate. We are excited to celebrate and support the transformative efforts of the UK's leading social enterprises.
Evaluation Criteria
Participants will be evaluated and advance through each round based on the criteria outlined below:
- Impact: We are looking for projects whose goods or services have a measurable and positive impact on UK challenges in health, education and social mobility. Both realised impact and the potential for future impact will be important factors for consideration.
- Innovation: We are seeking projects that offer new or different solutions to addressing UK challenges in health, education and social mobility. This includes projects with groundbreaking products or services, unique business models, or exemplary use of existing methods or technologies that deliver superior results or cost-effectiveness.
- Financial Sustainability: We are seeking projects with stable financial health, ensuring viability in the coming years. For-profit participants should be profitable or demonstrate a clear path to profitability. Non-profit participants should have secure and diversified funding.
- BCG Engagement: You should be willing to work closely with a BCG team in an agile manner, either remotely or in person. Additionally, to ensure any collaboration with BCG is successful, you must demonstrate a clear alignment between your goals and BCG's service offerings to ensure our team is able to help you deliver maximum impact.
Application Process
You can apply here for the BCG UK 2026 Social Enterprise Award!. Here are the key dates for this year’s award:
- May 11: Applications close. The top 10 candidates will be selected for our Semi-Final, and each be assigned a BCG coach to help them prepare.
- June 9: The top 10 semi-final candidates will pitch virtually to a panel of experts, and receive feedback on their proposals.
- July 1: The top 5 candidates will be invited to pitch in person (or virtually) to our final panel of top business leaders at BCG’s offices in London on July 1.
If you have any questions, please contact the UK Social Enterprise Award team.
We thank our 2026 partners for their support:
