Aevitium Shortlisted for UK StartUp Awards for Its Approach to Board-Level Decision-Making

Aevitium, a London-based risk and governance advisory firm, has been named a regional finalist in the UK StartUp Awards 2026.

The company is shortlisted in the Professional Services StartUp of the Year category for the London region, recognising its focus on supporting decision-making in environments where complexity, speed and scrutiny are increasing.

The UK StartUp Awards was launched to recognise the UK’s growing startup ecosystem, with approximately 832,000 new businesses registered in 2025.

Over 900 businesses have been shortlisted across ten regions this year, collectively creating nearly 5,000 jobs and generating over £150 million in annual revenue.

Organisations are operating in an environment of increasing complexity, driven by regulatory pressure, rapid technological change and heightened expectations from stakeholders. 

As a result, the quality and timing of decision-making have become critical factors in organisational performance and resilience. 

In many organisations, this complexity is matched by increasing investment in frameworks, yet decision outcomes remain inconsistent.

Founded in 2023, Aevitium works with boards, executives and senior risk leaders in complex and regulated environments. The firm focuses on helping organisations ensure they are addressing the right problem before committing time, capital and reputation. By combining structured diagnostics with governance design, Aevitium supports leadership teams navigating strategic change and increasing complexity.

The business was shaped by the founder’s early exposure to entrepreneurship, where the consequences of both strong and poor decision-making were experienced first-hand. This informed a focus on strengthening decision-making at its source, rather than relying solely on frameworks and controls.

“I’ve seen first-hand how strong organisations can still make poor decisions, not because they lack capability, but because they are solving the wrong problems,”Julien Haye, Managing Director of Aevitium LTD said to That's Business.

“Aevitium was created to help leaders step back, challenge assumptions and bring clarity to critical decisions before action is taken.”

A key development for the firm has been the introduction of its VERIGRITY™ diagnostic, a structured approach that enables organisations to identify hidden weaknesses in governance and decision-making. This allows leadership teams to move beyond reactive fixes and address underlying structural issues, improving the reliability of outcomes in complex and fast-moving environments.

Regional winners will progress to the national final at Ideas Fest in September 2026.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, co-founder of the UK StartUp Awards, told us: “New businesses are the driving force behind any thriving economy, generating employment, pioneering innovation and contributing to prosperity across the UK. 

"This year’s finalists represent the very best of British entrepreneurial talent. The standard of entries in 2026 has been exceptional, and every finalist should be proud of what they have achieved.”

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 will go on to compete at the national final, held at Ideas Fest in September.

For more information, visit https://startupawards.uk

https://www.aevitium.com

Manchester accelerator lands North’s only spot in FT Europe Top 150 for 2026

A Manchester-based accelerator has been named the North of England’s only programme to feature in the Financial Times’ Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs 2026 list, underlining Manchester’s growing profile as a base for successful start-ups. 

Alumni of the Exchange programme, which supports early-stage founders with mentoring, networks and investment-readiness support, have raised more than £78m in funding and created over 1,000 jobs to date.

The recognition comes amid continued scrutiny of regional imbalances in UK innovation funding. London continues to attract a disproportionate share of venture capital investment, intensifying debate about the strength of scale-up infrastructure in regional technology clusters.

Exchange, which is operated from Department at Campfield in Manchester St John’s innovation district, joins 149 other accelerators from across Europe in the list compiled by the Financial Times, in partnership with Statista and Sifted.

The ranking evaluates performance based on alumni feedback, growth outcomes, and the quality of mentoring, infrastructure, funding access, and business support.

Since launching in 2020, Exchange has supported over 270 businesses, with alumni securing over £78m in external investment during and after programme participation and creating over 1,000 jobs. 

A significant proportion of participating companies operate in the technology and digital sectors, reflecting Manchester’s expanding role as a regional tech hub.

Among them is HACE, a female-founded Tech for Good start-up addressing child labour, which joined Exchange in 2023. During the programme, the company completed an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round, raising in excess of £450,000, including investment from Manchester-based backers connected through the Exchange network.

It has since doubled the size of its team, hiring from the city’s graduate ecosystem, and created opportunities for young people through more than 20 student placements and four work experience roles across the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford. HACE is now a founder in residence at Department at Campfield.

Commenting on the news, Rich Jones, head of Exchange, told That's Business: “Inclusion in the Financial Times ranking matters because it’s based on founder feedback and real business performance. The companies that come through Exchange are raising capital, increasing revenue and growing their teams at pace.

“For a long time, scaling meant looking to London for investment and infrastructure, but we’re increasingly seeing founders access experienced workers and credible funding networks here in the North.

“The jobs created and funding secured by our alumni businesses only go to show that high-growth companies can scale successfully from Manchester and build serious, sustainable operations.”

Exchange operates within Department at Campfield, a 135,000-square-foot technology campus designed to cluster digital, media, and creative businesses within a single commercial environment. By combining structured accelerator support with embedded workspace and proximity to established operators, the model enables participating companies to learn and scale within Manchester rather than relocating. Department differs from many workspace operators because it pairs the space with an active operating layer, running year-round programming, events and partnerships that connect members to new business partnerships, talent and collaborators.

Find out more about Exchange at Department, visit: https://www.exchange-programme.com

A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Business

Starting a business can be an exciting and rewarding venture, but it can also be a daunting one. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a first-time business owner, having a well-thought-out plan is essential for success. 

In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of starting a business, from ideation to launch, and provide you with valuable insights and tips to help you navigate the entrepreneurial journey.

Step 1: Self-Assessment and Idea Generation

The first step in starting a business is to assess yourself. What are your strengths, weaknesses, and skills? What are your passions and interests? Identifying your own attributes will help you determine the type of business that aligns with your personality and capabilities.

Once you have a clear understanding of your own strengths and interests, start brainstorming business ideas. Consider the problems or needs you can address and how your skills and passion can contribute to a solution. Keep in mind that your business idea should be unique, scalable, and have a target market.

Step 2: Market Research

Market research is crucial to understanding your potential customers and competition. It involves collecting data on your target market's size, demographics, preferences, and needs. Analyse your competition to identify gaps in the market that your business can fill.

This step is also an opportunity to refine your business idea, as the research may reveal new insights or potential pivots. Also, it will help you to create a solid business plan and set realistic expectations.

Step 3: Business Plan

A well-crafted business plan is the foundation of your business. It should include:

Executive summary: A brief overview of your business.

Market analysis: Insights into your target market and competition.

Business structure: Decide on the legal structure of your business (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation).

Products or services: Describe what you're offering in detail.

Marketing strategy: How you'll promote and sell your products or services.

Financial projections: Projected revenue, expenses, and funding requirements.

Operations plan: Explain how you'll run your business on a day-to-day basis.

Funding request: If needed, outline your funding requirements.

A strong business plan not only helps secure funding but also serves as a roadmap for your business's future.

Step 4: Legal Requirements and Registration

Depending on your location and business structure, you may need to register your business with the appropriate government agencies. This step can involve:

Registering your business name

Obtaining necessary licenses and permits, if applicable

Registering for taxes (e.g., VAT, sales tax, NI)

Choosing a legal structure and registering it

Make sure you research the specific requirements for your industry and location, as they can vary significantly.

Step 5: Secure Financing

Starting a business often requires an initial investment. Consider your funding options, such as personal savings, loans, investors, or crowdfunding. The choice of financing will depend on your business's capital needs and your risk tolerance.

Step 6: Build a Team

If your business requires additional expertise or resources, it's time to start building your team. Look for people who share your vision and have complementary skills. Hiring the right people is crucial to the success of your business.

Step 7: Create a Brand and Online Presence

Develop a strong brand identity, including a logo, business cards, and a website. An online presence is essential in the digital age. Your website should be user-friendly, mobile-responsive, and optimized for search engines (SEO). Social media and online marketing are also key components of your brand's visibility.

Step 8: Set Up Operations

Find a suitable location (if your business is location-based), acquire the necessary equipment and inventory, and establish your operational procedures. Focus on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and customer satisfaction.

Step 9: Marketing and Sales

Implement your marketing strategy to reach your target audience. This may involve content marketing, advertising, networking, and outreach. Create a sales process that converts leads into customers and ensures customer retention.

Step 10: Launch and Monitor

With everything in place, it's time to launch your business. Monitor your performance and adapt as needed. Customer feedback and data analysis are valuable for continuous improvement.

Starting a business is a complex and rewarding journey that requires careful planning and execution. While these steps provide a structured approach to get you started, remember that entrepreneurship is dynamic, and you may need to adapt along the way. Embrace challenges, learn from your experiences, and stay committed to your vision. With dedication, innovation, and hard work, your business can thrive and grow over time.