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Shrewsbury based startup Ablepreneurs has been named as a regional finalist in the UK StartUp Awards 2026 (https://startupawards.uk/) in the StartUp For Good Award category, shortlisted in the Midlands.
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.
Established in 2025, Ablepreneurs bridges the gap between small businesses and talented professionals living with disabilities or long term health conditions. The business provides solopreneurs and small firms with reliable, high quality support while removing the barriers of traditional hiring processes. Founder Helen Pugh started the venture after navigating her own experiences with chronic health challenges. Having seen first hand how the traditional system underestimates capable professionals who do not fit conventional working patterns, she built Ablepreneurs to ensure this underutilised expertise is finally recognised and put to work.
“Talent doesn’t fade because of illness or disability; it just needs the right environment to shine,” said Helen Pugh. “Being named a finalist for the Midlands is a proud moment for our whole team. This recognition validates our mission to change how the world views disability in the workplace. We are excited to head to the regional final, and the prospect of representing the Midlands at the national final at Ideas Fest in September 2026 is an incredible motivator for us as we continue to grow.”
Since launching just last year, Ablepreneurs has already built a dedicated team of 17 people. The startup continues to gain momentum by proving that inclusive hiring is not just a social good, but a practical solution for businesses needing agile and expert support.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, co-founder of the UK StartUp Awards (https://startupawards.uk/), 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 (https://startupawards.uk/), 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 (https://ideasfest.uk/), 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 can be found online at https://startupawards.uk/
