Bristol based consultancy Bright Evolve has been named as a regional finalist in the UK StartUp Awards 2026 in the Professional Services StartUp of the Year category, shortlisted in the South West.
The UK StartUp Awards was launched to recognise the booming startup scene across the UK, which has accelerated significantly in recent years with around 832,000 new businesses registered in the UK in 2025. Over 900 businesses have been shortlisted for this year’s UK StartUp Awards across ten nations and regions. The contribution of these firms, all of which were started in the last three years, is significant, having created nearly 5,000 new jobs since they were established and generating annual sales of over £150 million.
Founded in 2023, Bright Evolve helps early stage businesses to build profitable, repeatable and scalable sales engines. The company works specifically with founder led businesses to bridge the gap between initial success and sustainable growth. Founder Tom Bright started the venture after recognising a clear need in the market to help entrepreneurs move beyond founder led sales, providing the professional expertise required to institutionalise sales processes within a growing organisation.
“This is a fantastic milestone, we’re proud to be recognised for our work helping businesses who operate in this space,” said Tom Bright, Founder of Bright Evolve. “This shortlisting is a testament to the hard work of our team and the success of the founders we partner with. We are looking forward to the regional final and the opportunity to potentially represent the South West at the national final at Ideas Fest in September 2026.”
Since its inception, Bright Evolve has experienced significant momentum, growing to a team of eight professionals. The firm’s biggest milestone to date is its direct impact on the local and national economy, having already helped its clients to achieve multi million pound growth through structured sales strategies.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, co-founder of the UK StartUp Awards, said:
“New businesses are the driving force behind any thriving economy, generating employment, pioneering innovation, and contributing to prosperity right across the UK. This year’s finalists represent the very best of British entrepreneurial talent, spotting opportunities and, through dedication, skill, and resilience, building ventures that are making a real difference in their industries and communities. The standard of entries in 2026 has been exceptional, and every finalist should be enormously proud of what they have achieved. Regional winners will go on to represent their region at the national final at Ideas Fest in September, and that is a stage worthy of everything they have built.”
The UK StartUp Awards, founded by Frankie James and Professor Dylan Jones-Evans as part of Ideas Community, is the UK’s largest independent startup awards programme. Now in its fifth year, the awards received over 2,000 entries in 2026. Regional winners go on to compete at the national final, held at Ideas Fest, aka the Glastonbury of Business, on 9th-10th September 2026 at Champneys, Tring, Hertfordshire. For more information visit: startupawards.uk
This year’s regional UK StartUp Awards finalists ca be found online.
