The New Business Award, sponsored by Winchester University, is one of several categories in the Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2026, which return this year to highlight enterprise, innovation, and economic growth across the district.
Bill Davies, dean of the Faculty of Business and Design Technology, said: “The University of Winchester is committed to supporting business which creates wealth and jobs in the city and the wider region.
“The University encourages and supports entrepreneurship within its student ranks and is glad to celebrate the enterprise and endeavour of everyone who sets up a successful business.
“Start-ups become the small businesses which are the backbone of the UK economy and hopefully many of the entrants and nominees for this award will build on their strong foundations to become the big businesses of the future.
In 2021 the University’s Business School was awarded the Small Business Charter Award in recognition of its support for small businesses, student entrepreneurship, and its commitment to the local economy.
The New Business Award recognises a new business that started trading within the past two years and whose existing success has set the groundwork for the business to grow, flourish and move into a position of longer-term sustainability.
The awards, organised by the Hampshire Chronicle, Winchester BID, and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, offer a platform for individuals, customers, and businesses to nominate enterprises that embody the spirit of innovation and determination.
Each nomination is evaluated by a panel of judges, with some nominees reviewed through a mystery shopping process to ensure a thorough and impartial assessment.
The finalists in each category will be announced on Thursday, May 7, 2026, followed by the awards ceremony on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Winners will receive £500 worth of advertising in the Hampshire Chronicle or on hampshirechronicle.co.uk, alongside dedicated editorial coverage.
The New Business Award in particular celebrates enterprises that have been trading for less than two years, demonstrating early success and clear potential for sustainable growth and development.
It is just one of several categories designed to honour the breadth of business achievement in Winchester. Other awards include, Business Leader, Charity and Social Enterprise, Large Business, Small Business, Sustainable Business, Service Excellence, Creative and Cultural, City Centre Champion.
In addition, Winchester City Council will present the Millennium Egg to an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to the area, while the Business of the Year title will crown one of the category winners as the overall standout.
Sponsors of the 2026 awards include headline sponsor RJM International, alongside Paris Smith, Winchester City Council, Winchester University, Winchester BID, and Nony Kerr-Smiley.
Additional support comes from Winchester Cathedral Events, Natwest, the Little Kitchen Company, the Theatre Royal, Play To The Crowd, Stem & Green, CTG, and Bar Lento.
The awards aim to celebrate the diverse successes shaping Winchester’s economic landscape and encourage continued collaboration across its business community.
Nominations close on Thursday, April 23, and Winners must redeem their advertising prize by December 31.
Full competition terms and conditions can be found at newsquest.co.uk/prize-competition-rules.
For more information, or to nominate a business or individual, visit winchesterbusinessawards.co.uk.
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