A kombucha maker, an electric bike manufacturer and a campervan conversion specialist are among the winners of the 2026 Small Business Growth Awards, run by HSBC UK in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The awards were announced at a ceremony in London on Thursday, drawing around 2,800 entries from across the country.
Manchester-based Hip Pop, which produces kombucha and other healthier soft drinks, won a national award. The company now sells through more than 12,000 distribution points and major UK retailers. Co-founder Emma Thackray said the award was “a real marker of how far we’ve come”.
Vanlife Conversions, which builds bespoke campervans, took the Service Excellence Award, while electric bike manufacturer VOLT Bikes won the Family Business Award. Other winners included security specialist Rhino Perimeter Security, consultancy The Lennox Partnership, engineering firm Michael Aubrey Structural Engineers, marketing agency GottaBe! Ethnic and retailer Evoke Country & Equestrian.
The awards come as small firms face higher costs, weaker consumer confidence and global uncertainty. However, research commissioned by HSBC UK and the FSB found that seven in 10 SMEs describe their businesses as resilient. Blair McDougall, minister for small business and economic transformation, said the awards highlighted the “ambition, resilience and innovation” of small firms.
Winners will receive mentoring from entrepreneur and former Dragons' Den investor Sara Davies, who said running a business in the current climate required “huge resilience, determination and courage”. Regional Customer Champions were also named, including prosthetics company Limb-art, founded by former Paralympian swimmer Dr Mark Williams and his wife Rachael.
