The Heropreneurs Awards 2025, a celebration of the resilience, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the military community, will take place on 3 November at London’s iconic skyscraper, The Shard.
Hosted by the Forces Employment Charity and sponsored once again by Warwick Business School, the event will honour the significant business achievements of military veterans, reservists, and their families who have made a lasting impact across a wide variety of sectors.
The outstanding calibre of entries this year stands as a testament to the exceptional talent emerging in the military business community. In light of this, alongside our finalists, we are pleased to spotlight the “ones to watch”.
Read more about our finalists and ones to watch online [https://www.heropreneurs.co.uk/heropreneurs-awards]
Heropreneur of the Year
This top award recognises an individual who has created, or is leading, a successful business and serves as a positive force within the military business community.
Our finalists:
Nigel Seaman, Combat2Coffee
Nigel, a former Royal Marine, founded Combat2Coffee to deliver high-quality products while supporting veterans’ mental health and employment opportunities. His work combines business innovation with community impact, inspiring others within the military network.
Stephen Andrew Gladston, HeliOperations
Stephen, a former Army Air Corps pilot, runs HeliOperations, providing specialist aviation training and charter services while supporting veteran career transitions.
Wayne Forsyth, The UK Military School Limited
Wayne, a former Army officer, established The UK Military School to deliver training programmes that develop leadership, resilience, and discipline among young people.
With special commendations to:
Richy Thrower, Motion Focus Media
Richy, ex-forces veteran turned filmmaker, founded Motion Focus Media, a dynamic video production and marketing company. Drawing on military precision and resilience, he crafts powerful stories for businesses while producing films that highlight the struggles veterans face in civilian life. This Special Commendation recognises his commitment to using storytelling as a force for change and giving a voice to those who served.
Lindsay Compton, Canny Comms
Canny Comms, founded by Lindsay Compton, is an award-winning STEM communications consultancy dedicated to the defence and security sector. By combining technical expertise with storytelling, the business helps organisations translate complex science, technology, and innovation into clear, impactful narratives that reach frontline users. Canny has grown into a seven-figure, high-trust consultancy, employing veterans and military spouses, and setting a benchmark for purpose-driven, specialist communications.
Product of the Year
This award celebrates the best products emerging from the military business community, combining quality, innovation, and impact.
Our finalists:
Jon Reynolds, Battle Bag Limited, trading as The55
Jon, a former British Airborne Forces Captain, founded Battle Bag Limited, creating The55 sandbag, a versatile, combat-tested fitness solution used by UK Special Forces and the wider military.
Andy Cuff, Computer Network Defence Ltd
Andy, a veteran of the RAF and Army Royal Signals cyber reserve, founded a cybersecurity consultancy supporting defence, government, and commercial clients. He mentors fellow veterans to bridge military skills with business success.
Ed van der Lande, More Toddler Meals
Ed, a former Army officer, developed More Toddler Meals to offer nutritious, freeze-dried meals for young children, combining convenience with high-quality nutrition.
Tech Business of the Year
Recognising businesses that are innovating through technology to transform their sectors.
Our finalists:
August Lersten, Labrys Technologies
August, a former Army engineer, leads Labrys Technologies, delivering advanced engineering solutions to address complex industry challenges.
James Kuht, PAIR
James, a former RAF Medical Officer, co-founded PAIR to help organisations build AI-native workforces. The company is growing rapidly while delivering innovative software solutions.
Simon Kirkpatrick, RuleWise Ltd
Simon, a former British Army Signals soldier, launched RuleWise, a RegTech platform providing compliance solutions across 14 jurisdictions.
One to Watch:
Ben Read, Redeployable
Ben, a former Royal Marines Officer, founded Redeployable to help career-switchers transform military skills into meaningful civilian careers. Using AI-driven career guidance and in-depth skills analysis, the company makes career transitions simpler, smarter, and more accessible.
Start-up of the Year
Celebrating early-stage businesses showing strong growth and impact.
Our finalists:
Adele Furness, CG Cambridge
Adele, a former Army medic, founded CG Cambridge, a cleaning business focused on investing in people and building meaningful careers.
Daisy Coleman, Redberth Croft CIC
Daisy, a former Army officer, leads Redberth Croft, a veteran-led social enterprise delivering land-based therapy and skills training to support post-trauma growth.
Ones to Watch:
Laura Moore & Laura Milward, Replenish
Replenish, founded by Laura Moore and Laura Milward, is an electrolyte and vitamin solution designed to support women suffering from pregnancy sickness. Each concentrated sachet provides essential nutrients to restore what sickness depletes, offering an easy-to-take alternative to bulky prenatal tablets. Founded from lived experience, Replenish addresses a long-overlooked gap in women’s health with practical, science-backed support.
Nathan Jones, Peak State
Peak State, founded by veteran Nathan Jones, is a global mental fitness organisation empowering people to thrive through science-backed training. Operating in over 17 countries, it supports athletes, schools, frontline workers, and trauma survivors with programmes that build resilience, confidence, and purpose. By focusing on proactive wellbeing, Peak State is redefining mental health as a daily foundation for thriving.
The Heropreneurs Awards 2025 demonstrate the extraordinary talent within the military community and its contribution to the wider business landscape. By celebrating innovation, resilience, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship, the awards continue to inspire the next generation of veterans, reservists, and military families to build successful and impactful ventures.
Read more about our finalists and ones to watch online [https://www.heropreneurs.co.uk/heropreneurs-awards]
