Entrepreneurs from across the UK have been celebrated at the first Asian Founders Awards, recognising the ambition, innovation and contribution of Asian-owned businesses to the UK economy.
The inaugural awards brought together founders, investors, business leaders and supporters to celebrate companies and individuals making an impact through entrepreneurship, technology, community leadership and growth.
The awards mark the latest milestone for the Asian Founders network, created by Barclays Eagle Labs and De Montfort University Leicester (DMU). Launched in Leicester three years ago, the initiative has now grown into a national community supporting more than 1,000 founders across 10 UK cities.
Hosted by Eagle Labs Leicester manager Poonam Sharma and Barclays Leicester manager Nimesh Kanani, the awards were attended by 250 people at the Marriott Hotel in Leicester.
Poonam, co-founder of Asian Founders, said: “This has been such an emotional moment because Asian Founders really did begin as an idea about creating something our community needed.
“What has happened since has exceeded anything I could have imagined. We now have more than 1,000 founders in 10 cities, but what matters most to me is seeing people supporting each other, making introductions, sharing opportunities and opening doors.
“The awards were about stopping for a moment and recognising just how much these founders have achieved. There are incredible businesses being built across our communities and those stories deserve to be seen and celebrated.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have created with De Montfort University and Barclays Eagle Labs, but this belongs to the founders. They are the reason we started it and the reason it has grown.”
DMU research has estimated that Asian-owned businesses contribute £25 billion to the UK economy, creating jobs, developing new products and services and supporting communities across the country.
Professor Katie Normington, Vice-Chancellor of DMU, told guests that while the awards were an opportunity to recognise success, their wider purpose was to help create more opportunities for Asian entrepreneurs.
She said: “There is an extraordinary amount of talent in this room. But tonight is about more than bringing successful people together. It is about making that success more visible and using our collective influence to create opportunities for those who come next.
“Talent is everywhere. Opportunity and access are not, and that is what we must work together to change.
“Our ambition must be to turn recognition into opportunity: stronger networks, fairer access to investment, more visible role models and a louder national voice for Asian founders.”
Among those recognised was Dr Kanishk Gaur, founder of Athenian Tech, who received the Rising Star Award.
Dr Gaur was inspired to create the business after being approached by someone who had become the victim of an online fake profile.
He said: “I realised it wasn’t just one person facing this problem. That day I decided to make it a mission of my life, and that’s why I started Athenian Tech, to help people stay safe online. It impacts all of us.”
The Excellence in Tech award went to Ravi Agravat of Berkfield Home, whose business journey began with a £500 Prince’s Trust loan.
He said the recognition showed that entrepreneurs did not have to be based in the world's biggest technology hubs to build successful companies.
“This award is special,” he said. “It is proof you don’t need to be in Silicon Valley to have a successful business. I’m one founder with one laptop and a strong will not to quit.
“When you are in business, you are so immersed in it that you don’t often take the time to celebrate what you have achieved. Recognition like this is so important.”
Varun Bhanot, founder of MAGIC AI, was named Asian Entrepreneur of the Year.
He said: “I took a chance on a dream. Take the first step and the next step will emerge.
“Whatever sector you are in, you don’t have to see the whole destination. I have had an amazing community of supporters behind me and events like this bring everyone together.”
Kara Healthcare was named Scale Up Business of the Year, with its founders paying an emotional tribute to their parents and the values that had shaped the business.
Accepting the award, they said: “This win is special for us. Our parents came here with no money.
“It is particularly emotional because we lost our mum recently, and she showed us that whatever your age, you can break glass ceilings every day. Our dad is 82 and still turns up for work every day. He shows us what hard work is.”
Tahir Group received two honours during the evening, taking both the Community Impact Award and Business of the Year.
Reflecting on the recognition, Fazan Tahir said: “Business is hard and every day we keep pushing. To get that recognition from your peers and from respected people around you means the world.
“Keep going, keep working hard and eventually you will get where you need to be.”
Midlands Care received a special award, with Shyamal Raja describing the recognition as a “surprise” and saying it was particularly meaningful for an organisation which does not normally put itself forward for awards.
The University Collaboration Award went to Structural Adhesives Limited and the University of Leicester who are working together to commercialise sustainable products.
Managing Director Angela Orton encouraged businesses to consider working with universities.
She said: “If you have the opportunity, please collaborate with universities. The opportunities are unbelievable, the strategic thinking and the growth opportunities it brings are incredible.”
A special recognition award was also presented to entrepreneur and social media influencer Karishma Vijay, founder of beauty business Kishkin and winner of The Apprentice 2026.
Baroness Sandy Verma, who was among the contributors to the evening, reflected on Leicester's long history of Asian entrepreneurship.
She said: “Leicester has been my family’s city since the 1930s. My grandfather was one of the first to open a factory here in 1952, so this city means a lot to us.
“The entrepreneurs in this room mean a lot to us too. They still face many of the same challenges – access to the right rooms, the right markets and fair access – and that is what we and our teams are trying to help make happen.”
The evening also included performances from Navin Kundra and surprise singing waiters, while charity partner Wishes 4 Kids highlighted how business networks can use their influence to support communities.
The headline sponsor was Royal Chai, with support from Laser Skin UK, Medical Made Easy and Fortnum & Mason.
Asian Founders Awards winners
Rising Star Award: Dr Kanishk Gaur, Athenian Tech
Community Impact Award: Fazan Tahir, Tahir Group
University Collaboration Award: Structural Adhesives Limited and University of Leicester
Disruptor Award: Gaurav Chawla, Lumirithmic
Excellence in Tech: Ravi Agravat, Berkfield Home
Asian Entrepreneur of the Year: Varun Bhanot, MAGIC AI
Scale Up Business of the Year: Kara Healthcare
Business of the Year: Tahir Group
Special Award: Midlands Care
Special Recognition Award: Karishma Vijay, Kishkin
Posted on Monday 14 September 2026