The King's Awards for Enterprise 2027

Northern Ireland businesses are invited to apply for the UK's most prestigious business award

The King's Awards for Enterprise recognise and encourage the outstanding achievements of UK businesses. There are currently five categories for which businesses can apply:

• international trade
• innovation
• sustainable development
• promoting opportunity (through social mobility)
• young founder

Businesses of all sizes and from all sectors can apply. The awards are free to enter and you can apply for more than one award.

The overarching eligibility criteria across all five categories are:

• be based in the UK (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man)
• have a good compliance record with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - for example, showing the business pay the right amount of tax on time
• be a self-contained enterprise under its own management and complete its own accounts
• have at least 2 full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents
• demonstrate strong environmental, social and governance practices

Your organisation can be a business, non-profit or in the public sector. Each of the award categories has additional entry criteria.

Find out more and apply for the King's Award for Enterprise.

First published 6 May 2026