The resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Armed Forces community were celebrated earlier this week at the Heropreneurs Awards 2025.
Hosted by the Forces Employment Charity and sponsored by Warwick Business School and Goldman Sachs, the ceremony at The Shard recognised the exceptional leadership and achievements of veterans, reservists, and military family members who are forging new paths in business and delivering meaningful impact across society.
From mission-driven start-ups supporting veterans’ mental health to developing a world-class defence technology company, this year’s winners demonstrated the extraordinary talent within the military business community.
The Forces Employment Charity delivers the Heropreneurs programme, which provides free mentoring, business support, and development programmes tailored to the Armed Forces community, ensuring entrepreneurs have access to expert guidance and opportunities to grow their business.
Chief Executive of the Forces Employment Charity, Alistair Halliday, said:
“The calibre of this years’ entries really was outstanding and a testament to the remarkable qualities, drive and talent that exists throughout the Armed Forces community.
“Members of the Armed Forces community bring strategic thinking, teamwork, drive and commitment – qualities that thrive in service life, and when they combine with an entrepreneurial spirit and then apply them to build new businesses, the results can be remarkable. We at the Forces Employment Charity are proud to recognise and champion their success.”
This year’s award categories were:
- Heropreneur of the Year – Army veteran Nigel Seaman, founder of Combat2Coffee
- Start-Up of the Year – Army veteran Adele Furness for CG Cleaning
- Product of the Year – British Airborne Forces veteran Jon Reynolds for The55, developed by Battle Bag Ltd
- Tech Business of the Year – Royal Marine veteran Gus Lersten for Labrys Tech
- Warwick Business School Scholarship Programme – joint winners Nathan Flye, Army veteran, and Hugo Mitchell-Heggs, Royal Navy veteran
The Heropreneurs Awards 2025 not only celebrated individual success stories but also highlighted the collective strength of the Armed Forces community as a powerful engine of innovation and social impact. Each winner’s journey reflected how the skills honed through military life translate seamlessly into entrepreneurship. As the Forces Employment Charity continues to champion these ventures, the future of the military community looks brighter than ever.
