MukAway.com named North West finalist for Construction & Building Services StartUp of the Year
MukAway.com has been named a regional finalist in the UK StartUp Awards 2026 (https://startupawards.uk/) in the Construction & Building Services StartUp of the Year category, shortlisted in the North West.
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.
MukAway.com provides a fast, compliant, and sustainable digital platform that matches construction sites with surplus soil to sites that need it. By allowing users to secure a deal in just five clicks, the business helps construction companies improve their bottom line while significantly boosting their ESG credentials. Founded by Warrington-born Fraser Linaker to solve a longstanding industry-wide problem, the platform simplifies material management and ensures surplus resources are reused effectively rather than being treated as waste.
"Being named a North West finalist for Construction & Building Services StartUp of the Year is a massive milestone for the MukAway team," said Fraser Linaker, CEO.
"To be selected by expert judges on merit alone validates the platform we’ve built and the real-world impact we’re having on material management. We’re proud to represent the North West and are now focused on bringing that regional win home to compete nationally at Ideas Fest this September. Congratulations to all the other finalists, the North West innovation is clear to see."
Regional winners will go on to compete at the national final at Ideas Fest in September 2026.
The company has already demonstrated significant momentum, reaching the major milestone of onboarding over 600 sites in only a matter of months.
Currently supported by a team of seven, including Widnes based Ian Cheveau, Stephen Newton from St Helens, Gemma Linaker of Warrington, and Zach Ali from Manchester, MukAway.com is rapidly scaling its operations and establishing itself as a vital tool for the modern construction industry.
"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 (https://startupawards.uk/), 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.
About MukAway.com: MukAway.com is a sustainable construction platform that matches sites with surplus soil to those in need of material. Based in the North West, they help construction firms improve efficiency and ESG performance through a simple five click digital interface. www.mukaway.com
About the UK StartUp Awards
The UK StartUp Awards (https://startupawards.uk/) 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
About Ideas Fest
Ideas Fest (https://ideasfest.uk/), aka the Glastonbury of Business, is the UK's biggest festival for entrepreneurs. Taking place on 9th-10th September 2026 at Champneys, Tring, Hertfordshire, Ideas Fest is:
- The annual gathering for the UK's most ambitious business leaders and entrepreneurs
- Two days of inspiration, connection, and celebration
- Home to the UK StartUp Awards national final, held on the main stage
For more information and tickets visit ideasfest.uk
About Ideas Community
Ideas Community is the UK's leading entrepreneurship ecosystem, connecting and celebrating founders for over 27 years. Founded by Frankie James and Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, Ideas Community runs five national programmes: the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, UK StartUp Awards, UK Fast Growth Index, Great British Industry Awards, and Ideas Fest. For more information visit https://www.ideasforums.com/
Key stats
- Over 2,000 entries received for the UK StartUp Awards 2026
- Around 832,000 new businesses registered in the UK in 2025
- Over 900 businesses shortlisted across ten nations and regions
- Finalists have created nearly 5,000 new jobs since founding
- Finalists generating combined annual sales of over £150 million
- Regional winners progress to the national final, competing for the title of the UK's best startup
- National final: Ideas Fest, 9th-10th September 2026, Champneys, Tring, Hertfordshire
- Ideas Community represents over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business leaders via its initiatives and events
