A Big Moment for The Cusp: Jess Hickman 2nd in Stelios Award
Jess Hickman, co-founder of The Cusp, has been named runner-up in the 2026 Stelios Foundation UK Young Entrepreneur Awards, receiving ÂŁ100,000 to invest back into the business.
For The Cusp, it marks an important moment, not just because of the funding, but because of what it represents. The award recognises businesses that are already performing commercially, creating jobs and growing at pace. It’s a reflection of what’s been built over the past two years, and how it’s been built.
Building a Business That Works – and Means Something
The Stelios Awards, founded by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou (best known for creating easyJet). They recognise businesses that are growing properly, generating revenue, creating jobs, and contributing to the wider economy.
That’s always been the ambition for The Cusp.
We didn’t start with a big team or a big safety net. We started with a belief that you could build a commercially strong business while still being thoughtful about how you do it, how you treat people, how you show up for clients, and how you grow over time.
In just two years, we’ve grown into a £2m+ business working across the UK and internationally, with more than half of our revenue now coming from global markets. We’ve partnered with organisations across education, government, engineering and innovation — but the core has stayed consistent.
Why This Feels Different
Recognition is always appreciated, but this one lands differently. The Stelios Foundation looks beyond surface-level success. It backs businesses with substance — those that are scaling in a way that’s considered, sustainable, and impactful. To be recognised in that context feels meaningful. It reflects the choices we’ve made along the way:
- Investing in people early, even when it felt like a stretch
- Focusing on long-term relationships over quick wins
- Balancing performance with creativity
- Staying grounded while growing quickly
It also reinforces something we’ve believed from the beginning — that there isn’t one “right” way to build a business.
