RISE Awards Celebrate the Future of Sustainable Innovation

Last night, beneath the glittering chandeliers of London’s Grand Connaught Rooms, the energy was palpable as founders, investors, and sustainable pioneers gathered for the inaugural Responsible Investment, Sustainability, and ESG (RISE) Awards. 

The evening marked a major milestone for the eight UK startups and scaleups -  five service providers - and the public nominated Rising Star and Founder of the Year recognised and rewarded for driving the transition to a more sustainable future.

Sustainable Times created the RISE Awards to honour the bold innovators whose businesses are tackling the most pressing environmental and social challenges of our era. Finalists were leaders in rethinking industries from fashion and transport, to energy and finance. This inaugural year attracted an overwhelming number of entries, reflecting the scale of momentum building behind mission-driven entrepreneurship. An esteemed judging panel comprising academics, investors, and industry leaders had the formidable task of identifying the best of the best, while public votes decided the service-provider categories.

A “deep commitment” to impact

Judge Craig Campbell, UK Head of Responsible Investment at Aon, captured the spirit of the night, noting that “awards like RISE are vital to the startup ecosystem because they shine a spotlight on the bold innovators who are tackling our most urgent sustainability challenges.” 

Having judged the sustainable fashion category, Campbell said entries - ranging from pioneering biomaterials and circular fashion models to eco-friendly dyes - demonstrated “a deep commitment to measurable social and environmental impact.”

“Judging these awards has revealed how dynamic and solutions-driven the sustainable economy is becoming. The talent, ingenuity, and dedication on display give me real optimism about a future where business growth goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship and social responsibility”. 

Fellow judge Ben Keene, Co-founder of Raaise, the online capital raising matchmaker, echoed the sentiment. “Mission-focused entrepreneurs are that rare breed that create the opportunity to change things for the better, at scale. Judging the RISE awards has been a welcome reminder that so many brilliant people and solutions exist, and that we need to give them all support.”

Winners at a glance

The winners in the startup categories particularly stood out. Carnot Engines won the Green Transport category with its record-breaking engine. Carnot has reimagined the engine, a technology that has seen little innovation in more than 70 years. Inspired by the steam train but powered by modern thermodynamics, advanced materials, and cutting-edge engineering, Carnot’s design is more than double the efficiency of a traditional diesel engine and therefore half the fuel consumption, a single Carnot engine can reduce 1,740 tonnes of CO₂ per engine per year.

In the fintech startup of the year category ekko captured the judges attention. ekko has embedded sustainability into everyday transactions. Whether buying groceries or booking travel, users see a simple message about the environmental impact of their purchase and are offered a chance to take action, like offsetting carbon or recovering plastic waste.

Turning to innovation in the built environment, Mater-AI won the Green Construction category. The company develops novel thermoelectric materials using advanced AI, physics-based modelling, quantum and lab validation. By significantly improving efficiency, they replace legacy systems and enable entirely new material applications. They offer solutions 438X faster than conventional research and development rounds.

Looking towards Consumer Products, Foreva Farmers has re-engineered drinks manufacturing from the ground up. The firm’s circular production system runs on renewable gas and electricity generated by an on-site anaerobic digester, capturing 5,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year to carbonate its tonics. By switching from glass to infinitely recyclable aluminium bottles, the firm has reduced emissions and created a replicable model for carbon-negative drinks production.

By celebrating these innovators, the RISE Awards is bringing attention to innovations that are going to deliver a sustainable future. 

“At Sustainable Times, we’re delighted to recognise the most promising and pioneering sustainability startups in the UK. We look forward to expanding our role as an active supporter of this crucial and dynamic community.” said Stuart Hall, Managing Director of Sustainable Media Group.

The Winners of the 15 Categories were:

1. Green Construction

This award celebrates startups whose innovative technologies, materials, or methodologies minimise environmental impact, enhance resource efficiency, and create healthier, sustainable built environments.

Sponsored by: Cooper Parry

Nominees: Thoth (sustainability consultancy), Mater-Ai (AI for new thermoelectric materials), Eco-Cistem (environmentally friendly toilet cistern).

Winner: Mater-Ai

2. Fintech Startup of the Year

Celebrating a fintech disruptor that is revolutionising financial services with a strong ESG focus, driving sustainable innovation in the sector.

Nominees: ekko (integrates sustainability into financial services), Maanch (streamlines engagement and evidence outcomes for investment teams), C2Zero (allows companies and people to take Emission Allowances out of circulation).

Winner: ekko

3. Best Bank for Sustainable Finance

Awarding a financial institution that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to funding sustainable initiatives and green finance solutions.

Sponsored by: Bamboo Connect

Nominees: Barclays Innovation Hub (Eagle Labs), British Business Bank, HSBC Innovation Banking, Lloyds, NatWest, Santander, SNIB.

Winner: NatWest Group

4. Wealth Manager of the Year

Honouring wealth managers who excel at integrating sustainable, ESG, and impact investing into client portfolios, delivering strong financial performance alongside meaningful positive change.

Nominees: Charles Stanley, EQ Investors, Greenbank Investments, LGT Wealth Management, Paradigm Norton, Sarasin & Partners, Tribe Impact Capital, Cazenove Capital.

Winner: Cazenove Capital 

5. Renewable Energy

Recognising groundbreaking innovations and startups/scaleups in renewable energy that are powering the transition to a sustainable future.

Sponsored by: Sustainable Wealth Group

Nominees: Pure Energy UK (REGen) Ltd (green energy and technology solutions), Solivus (lightweight solar solutions for commercial buildings), Naked Energy (decarbonising heat energy for industries), Instollar (Africa’s solar energy workforce provider).

Winner: Solivus

6. Best Legal or Regulatory Firm

Honouring firms providing outstanding legal/regulatory support, demonstrating clear commitment to sustainability, CSR, or ESG principles.

Nominees: Bird & Bird, Burges Salmon, Irwin Mitchell, Keystone Law, Marriott Harrison, Mishcon de Reya, RW Blears, Shoosmiths.

Winner: Shoosmiths

7. Sustainable Fashion

Recognising fashion startups that demonstrate exceptional innovation, measurable environmental and social impact, and excellence in sustainable design and business practices.

Nominees: Anatolian colors (toxic free natural dyes), Brightland (minimalist plastic-free footwear), Roarsome (children’s clothing), LaundRe (sustainable jeans technology), Arda Biomaterials (novel biomaterials replacing plastics).

Winner: Arda Biomaterials 

8. Rising Star Award (RISE AWARD)

Recognising an emerging leader in the sustainability space, whether a founder, innovator or advocate making waves in the industry.

Sponsored by: Sustainable Wealth Group

Nominees: Dr Joe Penhaul Smith and Sam Penhaul (Extricko), Brittany Hook (HutanBio), Jai Desai (Reap London), Krutarth Shah (Sustainology), Sanmukh Bawa (Genvue), Gurpreet Singh (IQVIA), Dr Esrael Degefa (Kerchanshe Group).

Winner: Dr Esrael Degafa, Kerchanshe Group 

9. Best Sustainable Asset Manager

Honouring asset managers who excel at integrating sustainability, ESG, and impact considerations into their investment strategies, delivering both financial returns and positive real-world outcomes.

Nominees: Aberdeen, Baillie Gifford, BNP Paribas, Columbia Threadneedle, Deutsche Bank (DWS), Robeco, Jupiter, Nuveen.

Winner: Aberdeen

10. Clean Tech

Highlighting pioneering businesses that leverage technology to combat climate change and drive environmental solutions.

Sponsored by: Shoosmiths 

Nominees: Hutan Bio (sustainable biofuels), Opovate (scaling sustainable materials companies), Planet Smart (bio-based absorbent polymers), Verv Energy (predictive maintenance technology), Polymateria (biodegradable plastic solution), Bamboo Connect (mobile phone refurbishment/recycling), Prism Power (electrical switchgear/power monitoring), Recycle Roots (carbon capture for Biomass waste).

Winner: HutanBio 

11. Healthcare

Showcasing health-focused start-ups using technology and investment to improve patient care, accessibility, and sustainability in healthcare.

Nominees: 2cureX (medical products for personalised cancer treatment), PreComb (predicts patient drug response), Nurtify (cloud-based solutions for clinical research).

Winner: PreComb 

12. Green Transport

Celebrating businesses and startups featuring advancements in sustainable mobility, from electric vehicles to innovative transport solutions reducing carbon footprints.

Nominees: Carnot (engine technologies for decarbonising heavy-duty vehicles), GT Wings (wind propulsion technology), Levistor (high-cycling energy storage systems).

Winner: Carnot Engines

13. Consumer Products

Showcasing innovative startups revolutionising everyday products, fostering sustainability, and empowering conscious consumer choices for a better future.

Nominees: Foreva Farmers (premium natural tonics/mixers), Auraskin (eco-friendly cosmetics from upcycled coffee beans), House of Willow Alexander (sustainability for the home), Xampla (plastic alternatives from natural polymers), Eco Green Living (eco-friendly, plastic-free alternatives), Poppy Furniture (furniture rental model).

Winner: Foreva Farmers

14. Founder of the Year

Celebrating an exceptional founder who has demonstrated leadership, resilience, and innovation in building a sustainable business.

Sponsored by: Natwest

Nominees: Pinar Akiskalioglu (TAKK), Claire-Julia Hill (Gallery Les Bois), Chinwe Udo-Davis (Instollar), Oli Cook (ekko), Paul Finch and Rayan Jawad (Growth Studio).

Winner: Chinwe Udo-Davis, Instollar Technologies

15. Best Accountancy Firm 

Honouring accountancy firms that proactively support clients in integrating sustainability, ESG, and social responsibility into their financial and operational strategies, driving positive impact and growth.

Nominees: Cooper Parry, Deloitte, KPMG, Kreston Reeves, Philip Hare Associates, Wilson Partners.

Winner: Cooper Parry

We are already looking forward to next year!