Oikono shortlisted as a London Finalist at the UK StartUp Awards 2026

Oikono has been shortlisted as a London finalist at the UK StartUp Awards 2026.

LONDON, 31 March 2026

London-based startup Oikono has been named a regional finalist in the UK StartUp Awards 2026 in the Young Entrepreneur of the Year category, shortlisted in London.

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 2024 by Nelson, Oikono develops digital financial education and inclusion tools designed to empower individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy. The business was born out of Nelson’s own frustration when they found it impossible to source tailored financial education that adapted as their personal financial situation evolved. By creating resources that bridge this gap, Oikono helps people navigate their finances with confidence through accessible, modern technology.

"Being recognised as a finalist in the London region is a proud moment for the whole team and reflects the hard work we have put into making financial literacy more accessible," said Nelson, founder of Oikono. "We started this journey because we saw a genuine need for financial tools that grow with the individual, and seeing that vision resonate with the judges is incredibly motivating. We look forward to the regional final and the possibility of representing London at the national final at Ideas Fest in September 2026."

Since its launch, Oikono has demonstrated momentum within the EdTech sector. The company's biggest milestone to date is reaching over 1,000+ interactions on its platform, a clear indicator of the growing demand for its services. Now powered by a dedicated team of four, the startup continues to scale its impact and refine its digital resources to reach a wider audience.

This year's regional UK StartUp Awards finalists can be found online at https://startupawards.uk/.

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About Oikono:

Oikono is an EdTech startup that provides digital financial education and inclusion tools to help individuals and organisations thrive in the digital economy. Based in London, the company creates tailored resources to support users as their financial needs evolve. For more information, visit our website https://oikono.app.

About the UK StartUp Awards:

The UK StartUp Awards is the UK's largest independent awards programme celebrating the most ambitious and innovative new businesses across the country. Now in its fifth year, the awards received over 2,000 entries in 2026. Expert-judged and founded by Frankie James and Professor Dylan Jones-Evans as part of Ideas Community, regional finals take place across the UK throughout 2026, with regional winners going on to compete at the national final at Ideas Fest in September. For more information, visit startupawards.uk.

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