English with Sarah Rowland has been named as a regional finalist in the UK StartUp Awards 2026. The business, founded by Sarah, has been shortlisted in the Global StartUp of the Year category for the Wales region.
The UK StartUp Awards was launched to recognise the booming startup scene across the UK, which has accelerated significantly in recent years with around 832,000 new businesses registered in the UK in 2025. Over 900 businesses have been shortlisted for this year’s UK StartUp Awards across ten nations and regions. The contribution of these firms, all of which were started in the last three years, is significant, having created nearly 5,000 new jobs since they were established and
generating annual sales of over £150 million.
Founded in 2023, English with Sarah Rowland specialises in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) using a holistic, person-centred approach. Operating from Pontypridd, Sarah provides one-to-one online lessons alongside a personalised digital English learning hub subscription. The business was born from a deep-rooted belief that every person deserves equal rights and opportunities regardless of their nationality. By helping children and adults from all over
the world to improve their English, Sarah is on a mission to break down language barriers and advantage those who may be disadvantaged in the global landscape.
“Being shortlisted, especially for a second year running, is a real honour,” said Sarah. The recognition comes as the business prepares for the regional final, where successful entrepreneurs will secure a place at the national final. These national winners will be crowned at Ideas Fest in September 2026, providing a major platform for the most promising new companies in Britain.
Since launching, English with Sarah Rowland has already made a significant international impact. Despite being a solo venture, the business has reached a major milestone by helping over 50 non-native speakers from more than 27 different countries to improve their language skills. This rapid growth and global reach highlight the momentum of the business as it continues to help students achieve their personal and professional dreams through education.
“Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, co-founder of the UK StartUp Awards (https://startupawards.uk/), said: ‘New businesses are the driving force behind any thriving economy, generating employment, pioneering innovation, and contributing to prosperity right across the UK. This year’s finalists represent the very best of British entrepreneurial talent, spotting opportunities and, through dedication, skill, and resilience, building ventures that are making a real difference in their industries and communities. The standard of entries in 2026 has been exceptional, and every finalist should be enormously proud of what they have achieved. Regional winners will go on to represent their region at the national final at Ideas Fest in September, and that is a stage worthy of everything they have built.’”
“The UK StartUp Awards, founded by Frankie James and Professor Dylan Jones-Evans as part of Ideas Community, is the UK’s largest independent startup awards programme. Now in its fifth year, the awards received over 2,000 entries in 2026. Regional winners go on to compete at the national final, held at Ideas Fest (https://ideasfest.uk/), aka the Glastonbury of Business, on 9th-10th September 2026 at Champneys, Tring, Hertfordshire. For more information visit startupawards.uk”
“This year’s regional UK StartUp Awards finalists can be found online at https://startupawards.uk/”
