The winners of the Wales STEM Awards 2026, sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University, have been revealed at a special ceremony celebrating the outstanding people, organisations and initiatives driving science, technology, engineering and mathematics forward across Wales.
Now in their sixth year, the awards brought together finalists from across the country at Techniquest in Cardiff, where a brand-new format put STEM centre stage through an evening of celebration, networking and interactive experiences.
From pioneering businesses developing new technologies and organisations tackling skills shortages, to inspirational educators, community projects and individuals championing greater diversity and inclusion, the awards showcased the breadth and strength of Wales’ STEM sector.
Among this year’s winners was MeOmics Precision Medicine, which took home the Innovation in STEM Award, while Nellie Technologies was named STEM Company of the Year (under 50 employees) and NOVA Outreach Ltd won Start-up of the Year.
The University of South Wales celebrated two wins, with its Building Wales’s Future Space and Edge AI Capability programme receiving the Shaping the Future Award and its Applied Sciences team named Team of the Year.
Education and skills were also firmly in the spotlight. Theatr na nÓg’s Dal y Gwynt won Educational Programme of the Year (Not-for-profit), e-sgol’s The Science Project took the Public Sector award, and Wynne Construction’s Maths in the Workplace initiative was named Educational Programme of the Year (Private Sector).
The newly introduced STEM Community Impact Award was presented to The Big Science Project, recognising its work to make hands-on STEM experiences more accessible to communities, while STEM Untapped CIC took home STEM Collaboration of the Year.
Individual winners included Emma Wride of AstroCymru, who was named Woman of the Year; Nirmani Fonseka of Ogi, who received the Rising Star of the Year Award; and Josephine Grech of Cardiff and Vale College, who was named Ambassador of the Year. Nightingale HQ was recognised with the Sustainability Award.
A Special Recognition Award was also presented to Dr Geertje Van Keulen of Swansea University, recognising her longstanding contribution to STEM research, innovation, public engagement and the promotion of women in STEM.
Dr Van Keulen is an Associate Professor in Microbial Biochemistry at Swansea University’s Institute of Life Science, where she leads interdisciplinary research and innovation spanning microbiology, biomaterials, antimicrobial resistance and sustainable innovation. Alongside her academic work, she has made a significant contribution to public engagement, including leading Soapbox Science Swansea, supporting STEM outreach and helping to raise the profile of women working in science.
Liz Brookes, co-founder of the Wales STEM Awards, said: “Every year the Wales STEM Awards give us an opportunity to shine a light on the extraordinary work taking place across the country, and this year’s winners demonstrate just how diverse, ambitious and exciting Wales’ STEM community is.
“From businesses developing technologies with the potential to transform industries, to educators inspiring young people, community initiatives making STEM more accessible and individuals acting as role models for the next generation, there is so much happening in Wales that deserves to be celebrated.
“This year also marked an exciting new chapter for the awards, with our move to Techniquest and a completely new event format. It was fantastic to see the STEM community come together in such an iconic setting to celebrate, connect and recognise the people and organisations helping to shape Wales’ future.
“Congratulations to all of our winners, highly commended finalists and everyone who was shortlisted this year. The standard of entries was exceptional and they should all be incredibly proud of what they are achieving.”
Professor Jon Platt, Dean of Cardiff School of Technologies at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: “Wales has a thriving STEM community, and this year’s winners demonstrate the innovation, expertise and ambition that exists across our businesses, universities, education providers and communities.
“At Cardiff Metropolitan University, we recognise the vital role STEM plays in driving economic growth, developing the skills Wales needs for the future and finding solutions to some of the challenges facing society.
“We are proud to continue our support of the Wales STEM Awards and to help celebrate the individuals and organisations making such an important contribution. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, highly commended finalists and nominees.”
Martin McHugh, Chair of Judges, added: “The judging panel had an incredibly difficult task this year. The quality of the entries demonstrated not only the depth of STEM expertise that exists in Wales, but also the commitment across the sector to innovation, collaboration, skills development and widening participation.
“Our winners represent organisations and individuals at very different stages and working in very different areas of STEM, but what connects them is their determination to make a meaningful difference.
“I would like to congratulate every winner and highly commended finalist, and thank everyone who entered for sharing their work with us.”
Cardiff Metropolitan University returned as headline sponsor of the Wales STEM Awards 2026, with Wynne Jones IP sponsoring the Innovation in STEM Award, CSA Catapult sponsoring the Rising Star of the Year Award and Sony UK TEC sponsoring the Shaping the Future Award.
The Wales STEM Awards are jointly organised by Grapevine Event Management and communications agency jamjar.
For more information about the Wales STEM Awards and this year’s winners, visit stemawards.wales
For more information contact:
Lyndsey Jenkins at jamjar
01446 771265
Lyndsey@jamjar.agency
Wales STEM Awards 2026 winners
Educational Programme of the Year (Not-for-profit): Theatr na nÓg – Dal y Gwynt
Shaping the Future Award: University of South Wales – Building Wales’s Future Space and Edge AI Capability
Sustainability Award: Nightingale HQ
Woman of the Year: Emma Wride – AstroCymru
Educational Programme of the Year (Public Sector): e-sgol – The Science Project
STEM Community Impact Award: The Big Science Project
Team of the Year: University of South Wales – Applied Sciences
Start-up of the Year: NOVA Outreach Ltd
Innovation in STEM: MeOmics Precision Medicine
Educational Programme of the Year (Private Sector): Wynne Construction – Maths in the Workplace
STEM Collaboration of the Year: STEM Untapped CIC
Rising Star of the Year: Nirmani Fonseka – Ogi
Ambassador of the Year: Josephine Grech – Cardiff and Vale College
STEM Company of the Year (under 50 employees): Nellie Technologies
Special Recognition Award: Dr Geertje Van Keulen – Swansea University
A number of finalists were also recognised as highly commended by the judges.
Highly Commended
Educational Programme of the Year (Not-for-profit): Dragon Darwin Experience – The Darwin Centre
Woman of the Year: Steph Locke – Nightingale HQ
Educational Programme of the Year (Public Sector): The National Cyber Security Academy – ACE Cyber Security Competition
STEM Community Impact Award: A Welsh Coal Mining Experience – Rhondda Heritage Park Museum
Innovation in STEM: Hidden Strength
Educational Programme of the Year (Private Sector): The Big Science Project
STEM Collaboration of the Year: Wynne Construction & Careers Wales
STEM Company of the Year (under 50 employees): Techniquest
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