Entrepreneurs, scale-ups and innovators from across the UK have been shortlisted for the inaugural Asian Founders Awards, celebrating the founders and businesses driving innovation, creating jobs and making a positive impact in their communities.
More than 300 entries were submitted for the awards – the first of their kind in the UK – with 120 progressing to the judging stage. Following deliberations by the judging panel, 23 finalists have now been selected across eight categories.
The Asian Founders Awards are a joint initiative by Barclays Eagle Labs and De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) and mark the next milestone for the Asian Founders Community Meet, a national programme created to support, connect and celebrate Asian entrepreneurs across the UK.
The finalists reflect the breadth of Asian-founded businesses operating across the country, from emerging ventures to established companies, and span sectors ranging from AI and technology to businesses delivering significant social impact.
More than 250 founders, investors, policymakers and business leaders will gather at Leicester’s Marriott Hotel on Friday 11 September, when the winners will be announced at the inaugural awards ceremony.
Professor Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor of DMU, said: "The response to the inaugural Asian Founders Awards has been exceptional and reflects both the quality and ambition of Asian-led businesses across the UK.
"What has been particularly encouraging is the diversity of this year's finalists. They represent businesses at every stage of their journey, from exciting new ventures to established organisations, all united by a commitment to innovation, growth and creating positive impact.
"At De Montfort University, we believe the most successful innovation happens through partnership. These awards bring together founders, investors, industry and universities to build the relationships that help ideas become successful businesses, and successful businesses become drivers of economic growth.”
Poonam Sharma, Ecosystem Manager at Barclays Eagle Labs, said: "It has been inspiring to see the calibre of entrepreneurs and businesses shortlisted for the inaugural Asian Founders Awards. The finalists reflect the strength of Asian-founded businesses across the UK, and we are proud to help recognise the impact they are making in their communities.
"At Barclays, we are focused on helping businesses unlock growth at every stage of their journey. Through Barclays Eagle Labs, and with £22bn available through the Barclays Business Prosperity Fund to support business growth in 2026, we are committed to backing founders with the support and finance they need to take their ambitions further."
The finalists are:
Community Impact
- Fazan Tahir, Group Founder / Managing Director, Tahir Group
- Reena Anand, Founder and Director, Being Inclusive
- Kara Healthcare
University Collaboration
- Structural Adhesives
- Ketan Dattani, CEO and Founding Owner, Buckingham Futures
Disruptor
- Gaurav Chawla, CEO and Founder, Lumirithmic Ltd
- Berkfield Homes, Founder, Ravi Agravat
- Network Science Limited
Excellence in Tech
- Berkfield Home, Founder, Ravi Agravat
- NSOffice AI
- Tony Banerjee, CEO and Founder, Harley Doc
Scale Up
- Kara Healthcare
- Finrege
- Berkfield Home
Entrepreneur of the Year
- Magic AI
- Tahir Group
- Berkfield Home
Rising Star
- Arvind Sharma, CEO, Athenian Tech
- Dr Zainab Bibi, Founder/CEO of RTNZero.Ai
- Phoebe NG, Co-Founder of Excelas
Business of the Year
- Tahir Group
- Kara Healthcare
- Alt Labs
Posted on Wednesday 26 August 2026