Innovation Award
The Innovation Award celebrates outstanding innovation across business in the UK and France. Companies of all sizes and sectors are encouraged to apply, provided they have developed or adopted innovative solutions that drive growth, productivity, or positive change in the UK–France trade and investment relationship.
Applicants can be:
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A company developing new products, services or technologies that demonstrate originality and market impact; or
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A business that has successfully embedded innovative approaches (technological, operational, or business model) to transform its activities and deliver measurable results.
Technology and innovation play an important role in the Franco-British trading relationship. The UK and France are Europe’s top two tech and start-up markets, valued at £1.2 trillion and £422 billion respectively in 2026. New technologies, including AI, have the potential to revolutionise the way we do business, increase productivity and create jobs on both sides of the Channel.
From digital transformation and clean energy to advanced manufacturing, life sciences and creative industries, innovation is accelerating growth, improving competitiveness, and addressing shared global challenges.
The UK and France also collaborate closely on emerging technologies, research and development, and responsible innovation frameworks, ensuring that new solutions deliver economic, societal and environmental benefits.
Innovation refers to the development or application of new or significantly improved:
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Products or services
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Processes or operational models
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Business models or market approaches
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Technologies (including, but not limited to, AI, data, digital tools, engineering, or sustainability solutions)
We encourage applications from all sectors, including technology and telecoms, financial and professional services, energy, advanced manufacturing and creative industries.
The judging panel will be looking for a company that demonstrates:
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Originality and creativity: A clearly differentiated or pioneering approach
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Impact: Tangible business outcomes (e.g. growth, productivity gains, customer impact, sustainability improvements)
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Scalability and commercial viability: Potential to grow or be replicated across markets
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UK–France relevance: A clear contribution to trade, investment, or collaboration between the two countries
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R&D and continuous improvement: Evidence of ongoing innovation or investment in research and development
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Responsibility and sustainability: Consideration of environmental and/or societal impact where relevant
Innovations should ideally have been developed or implemented within the past three years.