The EISA Awards are the most prestigious event in our calendar, held at the House of Lords in Westminster, London.
We celebrate the outstanding achievements of participants in the EIS and SEIS ecosystem within the last 12 months, recognising the founders, investors and advisers who are driven by the common goal of supporting entrepreneurs across the UK to drive innovation and economic growth.
The 2025 EISA Awards ceremony will be held at the House of Lords, Westminster, London, on the 19th June.
The categories
Our categories for the 2025 EISA Awards are listed below. There are four different types of awards, suited to different elements of the EIS and SEIS ecosystem.
There are opportunities to be recognised for both individuals and organisations; under each award title is a description of who is eligible to enter.
Certain categories are only open to EISA Members. If you are not a member and would like to learn more, do get in touch with the EIS Association team.
💼 Fund & Investment Categories
Best EIS Investment Manager sponsored by Apex
Fund Manager
This award recognises the leading EIS investment manager across the UK. Criteria includes investment strategy, success in portfolio growth, and the overall value created for investors and founders through robust management and industry expertise.
Best SEIS Investment Manager sponsored by Exact Libris
Fund Manager
Recognising the top SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) investment manager, this award honours a fund investing in early-stage businesses through the SEIS. Judging criteria includes investment strategy, success in portfolio growth, and the overall value created for investors and founders through robust management and industry expertise.
Best New Fund Manager sponsored by Price Forbes
Fund Manager, launched fund in the last 4 years
The award is designed to recognise quality and promise from a newcomer to the EIS/SEIS market. The award is for the best new S/EIS fund which has launched in the last ~ 4 years. Judges will consider how the fund is positively supporting the EIS ecosystem), any exits or existing investments, and support for both investors and investee companies.
EISA Impact Award (for an investor with a standout EIS investment) sponsored by Shoosmiths
Investment Manager, with named specific investment
This prestigious award is given to a fund manager who has demonstrated a significant and positive impact through an investment in a specific EIS investee company. The award evaluates the social, economic, or environmental benefits of the investment and its alignment with the organisation’s long-term impact strategy.
📊 Professional Services & Advisory Categories
Best Financial Planner sponsored by Parkwalk Advisors
Individual
This award is presented to the financial planner who excels in advising clients on tax-efficient investment strategies, including EIS and SEIS investments. The winner demonstrates comprehensive knowledge, client-centred advice, and strong performance in managing portfolios.
Best Tax Adviser
Tax Adviser
This award is for a tax adviser who demonstrates exceptional skill in supporting clients using the SEIS and/or the EIS. The judges are looking for the ways in which entrants support clients using the S/EIS, raise awareness of the schemes, and their commitment to the wider S/EIS ecosystem.
Best Legal/Regulatory Adviser
Legal or Regulatory Firm
Recognising excellence in legal and regulatory advice within the EIS sector, this award goes to the legal or regulatory adviser who helps guide clients through the complexities of compliance, structuring, and legal considerations specific to the SEIS and/or the EIS. Contributions to the wider ecosystem are also a key consideration.
Best Accountant
Accountancy Firm
This award is presented to an Accountancy Firm who actively engages with clients using the S/EIS. The judges are looking for the ways in which entrants support clients using the S/EIS, raise awareness of the schemes, and their commitment to the wider S/EIS ecosystem.
🚀 Entrepreneur & Investee Company Categories
Best SEIS Investee Company sponsored by SFC Capital
Business who has received investment through the SEIS in the last 18 months
Awarded to an outstanding startup that has raised investment through the SEIS in the last ~18 months. The company could be from any sector, based anywhere in the UK and should include an element of innovation in what it is doing. The Judges will consider 3 categories: 1) Philosophy 2) Impact 3) Achievement.
Best EIS Investee Company sponsored by RW Blears
Business who has received investment through the EIS in the last 18 months
Awarded to an outstanding startup that has raised investment through the EIS in the last ~18 months. The company could be from any sector, based anywhere in the UK and should include an element of innovation in what it is doing. The Judges will consider 3 categories: 1) Philosophy 2) Impact 3) Achievement.
Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Kin Group
Individual
This award celebrates an outstanding individual who has founded a company and raised investment through the SEIS, EIS or both. There is no time limit regarding the date of investment or the year the company/companies were founded but the individual should be able to demonstrate significant achievements over the past 12 months. The winner is recognised for their vision, leadership, ability to scale a business, and commitment to creating jobs, economic value, and long-term growth.
🌟 People & Ecosystem Awards
Lord Flight Rising Star Award
Individual, member of Green Shoots, our young professionals network
This award honours an individual who has demonstrated exceptional growth potential in the EIS industry. The Green Shoots network is a professional community for individuals aged 35 and under working within EIS Association member organisations. The recipient of this award is an individual who has shown extraordinary talent, ambition, and contribution to the S/EIS ecosystem.
Diversity Champion sponsored by TIME Investments
Individual or Organisation
The Diversity Champion Award acknowledges an individual or organisation that has shown outstanding commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the S/EIS industry. The award winner could be an individual or firm. The winner will have made a tangible impact on promoting diversity in investment, leadership, and within the sector as a whole.
Ecosystem Champion sponsored by FieldHouse Associates
Organisation
The Ecosystem Champion Award is for any organisation (including fund managers, banks, accelerators, campaign groups and networks) that has significantly contributed to the development of the wider S/EIS ecosystem. This includes supporting businesses, facilitating investments, or driving initiatives that promote the growth of the S/EIS sector.
Entries close on 2nd May, 2025.
Last year’s EISA Awards
Our 2024 Awards ceremony was held on Wednesday, 19th June 2024 at the House of Lords, Westminster, London.
You can explore all the images from the evening here. If you would like to know about the 2024 shortlisters, you can read about them all here, and if you would like to read the stories of the 2023 winners, you can do so here.
The EISA Awards Judges
EISA Awards winners are decided by independent expert judges across the ecosystem. They are assigned to judge relevant categories for their extensive expertise. These judges are kept anonymous until the ceremony.
EISA Awards Sponsorship
If you have a sponsorship enquiry for the 2025 ceremony, please reach out to us here.