Wales’ science, technology, engineering and mathematics sector gathered at Techniquest in Cardiff to celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations driving STEM forward at the Wales STEM Awards 2026.
Cardiff Metropolitan University served as headline sponsor for the sixth annual event, which featured a redesigned format aimed at highlighting STEM through an evening of networking, interactive experiences and recognition.
Contenders for the awards spanned the breadth of STEM activity throughout Wales.
Businesses creating new technologies, groups tackling skills gaps, educational initiatives, community schemes and efforts to improve diversity and inclusion all featured among the nominees.
The winners reflected this variety, with recognition given across multiple sectors and disciplines.
Among the business winners, MeOmics Precision Medicine took the Innovation in STEM Award.
Nellie Technologies was named STEM Company of the Year in the under 50 employees category, while NOVA Outreach Ltd received the Start-up of the Year honour.
The University of South Wales secured two accolades on the evening.
Its Building Wales’s Future Space and Edge AI Capability programme was awarded the Shaping the Future Award, and its Applied Sciences department was recognised as Team of the Year.
Programmes addressing education and skills development received notable attention across dedicated categories.
Theatr na nÓg’s Dal y Gwynt initiative won Educational Programme of the Year in the not-for-profit classification.
E-sgol’s The Science Project took the same award in the public sector division, and Wynne Construction’s Maths in the Workplace initiative was honoured in the private sector category.
The STEM Community Impact Award, a newly created distinction for 2026, was presented to The Big Science Project for its efforts to broaden access to hands-on STEM experiences.
STEM Untapped CIC received the STEM Collaboration of the Year award.
Individual achievement was recognised across several categories.
Emma Wride of AstroCymru was named Woman of the Year.
Nirmani Fonseka of Ogi received the Rising Star of the Year Award.
Josephine Grech of Cardiff and Vale College was honoured as Ambassador of the Year.
Nightingale HQ took the Sustainability Award.
A Special Recognition Award was given to Dr Geertje Van Keulen of Swansea University in acknowledgement of her prolonged contribution to STEM research, innovation, public engagement and the advancement of women in STEM.
Dr Van Keulen holds the position of Associate Professor in Microbial Biochemistry within Swansea University’s Institute of Life Science, where she leads interdisciplinary research encompassing microbiology, biomaterials, antimicrobial resistance and sustainable innovation.
Beyond her academic responsibilities, she has undertaken substantial public engagement work.
This includes directing Soapbox Science Swansea, supporting STEM outreach activities and helping to raise the visibility of women working in science.
Organisers reflected on the significance of the occasion.
One individual noted that the awards provide a platform to recognise the remarkable work occurring throughout Wales and highlighted the diversity, ambition and energy present in the Welsh STEM community.
The remarks pointed to the range of contributors, from companies developing transformative technologies to educators inspiring young people, community schemes making STEM more accessible and individuals serving as examples for future generations.
The transition to Techniquest as the venue was described as marking an exciting new phase for the event.
The new setting and format were said to have facilitated bringing the STEM community together in a notable location to celebrate, connect and acknowledge those contributing to Wales’ future.
All winners, highly commended finalists and shortlisted nominees were congratulated.
Speaking on behalf of the headline sponsor, the Dean of Cardiff School of Technologies at Cardiff Metropolitan University commented on the strength of Wales’ STEM community.
The representative noted that the winners exemplified the innovation, expertise and ambition present across businesses, universities, education providers and communities.
The vital role of STEM in driving economic growth, building necessary skills and addressing societal challenges was emphasised, with pride expressed in continuing support for the awards and celebrating those making significant contributions.
The Chair of Judges addressed the judging panel’s deliberations, describing the task as exceptionally difficult.
The standard of entries was said to demonstrate both the depth of STEM expertise in Wales and the sector’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, skills development and widening participation.
The observation was made that winners spanned organisations and individuals at different stages and working across varied areas of STEM, united by their resolve to create meaningful impact.
Congratulations were extended to all winners and highly commended finalists, with appreciation expressed to every entrant for sharing their work.
Cardiff Metropolitan University returned as headline sponsor for the 2026 awards.
Supporting sponsors included Wynne Jones IP for the Innovation in STEM Award, CSA Catapult for the Rising Star of the Year Award and Sony UK TEC for the Shaping the Future Award.
The awards were jointly organised by Grapevine Event Management and communications agency jamjar.
Among the highly commended finalists, recognition was given in the not-for-profit educational programme category to the Darwin Centre for its Dragon Darwin Experience initiative.
In the Woman of the Year category, Steph Locke of Nightingale HQ received commendation.
The National Cyber Security Academy’s ACE Cyber Security Competition was highly commended in the public sector educational programme category.
A Welsh Coal Mining Experience’s work at the Rhondda Heritage Park Museum was recognised in the STEM Community Impact Award category.
Hidden Strength received commendation in the Innovation in STEM category.
The Big Science Project was highly commended in the private sector educational programme category.
STEM Untapped CIC’s collaboration work was recognised again in its respective category.
Techniquest received commendation in the STEM Company of the Year category for smaller enterprises.