Small businesses encouraged to enter King's Awards for Enterprise as applications open on Coronation day

With the historic Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla taking place today in London, applications have opened for the 2024 King's Awards for Enterprise.

Founded in 1965 as The Queen's Awards for Industry, The King's Awards for Enterprise celebrate the achievements of UK businesses in the four categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity.

The awards are open to all UK organisations with two or more employees. There are also other specific criteria for each category such as having made a minimum of £100,000 in overseas sales in the first year of the entry for the international trade award.

Benefits of winning King's Awards for Enterprise

Awards recipients are permitted to fly The King's Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on marketing materials for five years. They are also given an official certificate and a commemorative crystal trophy.

Once the awards have been announced on 6 May every year, businesses are invited to a royal reception and representatives of the King present the trophies and certificates to businesses around the UK.

Organisers say recipients comment that their achievement opens opportunities in terms of securing new contracts, venturing into new markets, and further developing their business.

You can check eligibility and enter the 2024 King's Awards for Enterprise here. The deadline for applications is 12pm on 12 September.

Enterprise Nation member receives King's Award

In 2023, there were 149 awards, 91% of which were SMEs with 23 recipients having 10 employees or less.

Among the small businesses that were successful this year was Enterprise Nation member NEMI Teas. It was a recipient of a promoting opportunity award.

Established in 2015, London-based NEMI Teas sells organic, Fairtrade, low-environmental impact tea-based products and runs the Trampoline cafe.

The business was recognised for its 'Changing Journey' initiative which supports refugees into work. Refugees are trained and given work experience in the cafe. After that, NEMI Teas works with partners to secure long term work for the participants.

Founder Pranav Chopra told Enterprise Nation:

"We entered the King's Awards for Enterprise to showcase the ability of a social enterprise to create social change and we're super ecstatic to have been recognised for it. It gives us that extra nudge to keep empowering more refugees through our work."

Webinar: How to enter the King's Awards for Enterprise

Two recipients of the King's Awards for Enterprise joined Cate Hilton, who leads on the scheme's communications, to discuss how to enter the awards and the benefits of a successful application. Replay the webinar here.