DAY ONE STRATEGY’S 68% GROWTH PROPELS FOUNDER-LED AI BUSINESS ONTO NATIONAL AWARDS STAGE
HOW TWO FOUNDERS BUILT AN AI PHARMA BUSINESS NOW RECOGNISED AMONG BRITAIN’S BEST
Fast-growing pharmaceutical intelligence specialist Day One Strategy has been shortlisted for two of the UK’s leading business awards after increasing turnover by 68% and expanding its workforce by almost a third, highlighting the growing demand for AI-powered commercial intelligence across the global life sciences sector.
London-based pharmaceutical intelligence consultancy Day One Strategy has secured two prestigious national award nominations following a year of rapid commercial expansion driven by increasing demand for its proprietary artificial intelligence platform.
The business has been shortlisted for the Scale Up Entrepreneur of the Year (London) category at the 2026 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards and the Scale Up of the Year category at the 2026 Private Business Awards, recognising its exceptional growth and innovation.
Founded in 2019 by Hannah Mann and Abigail Stuart, Day One Strategy has grown from a founder-funded start-up into a trusted adviser to eight of the world’s ten largest pharmaceutical companies, helping clients make faster, data-driven commercial decisions.
AI Platform Driving Commercial Growth
Central to the company’s success is InsightBrain®, its proprietary AI-powered intelligence platform developed specifically for the pharmaceutical sector.
The platform combines artificial intelligence with human expertise to analyse complex market information and deliver commercially actionable insights.
According to Day One Strategy, InsightBrain® enables pharmaceutical companies to move from insight to decision-making around 60% faster, while reducing associated time and costs by approximately 30%.
As pharmaceutical companies increasingly seek competitive advantages through data and AI, the demand for always-on intelligence has become a key driver of the company’s expansion.
Founder-Owned Success Story
Unlike many high-growth technology businesses, Day One Strategy has achieved its expansion without external investment.
Hannah Mann and Abigail Stuart established the business using their personal savings after leaving senior positions within the market research industry.
Seven years later, the company remains entirely founder-owned, with both entrepreneurs continuing to lead the business.
Hannah Mann said: “This recognition means a lot to us, particularly in a year when we’ve grown so quickly. We started this business because we believed pharma deserved smarter, faster thinking, and it’s brilliant to see that ambition recognised alongside some of the country’s best entrepreneurs.”
Abigail Stuart added: “Building a business without outside investment means every decision has had to earn its place, so it means a great deal to be recognised for that growth. We’re proud to have built something genuinely different and we’re just getting started.”
Industry Recognition Continues
The latest nominations add to a growing list of industry accolades for the company.
Earlier this year, Day One Strategy won the EphMRA Innovation Award, achieved Great Place to Work Certification, and continues to strengthen its sustainability credentials after receiving an EcoVadis Bronze Medal.
The Private Business Awards winners will be announced at The Savoy Hotel in London on 10 September, while the Great British Entrepreneur Awards will take place at Grosvenor House on 16 November.
Mark Sykes, Head of Consulting at BDO, said: “These awards shine a light on the innovation, ambition and success that should be commended and will inspire other businesses across the UK.”
Frankie James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, added: “These are founders who have stuck with it through every kind of year and championing them is exactly why we do this.”
For Day One Strategy, the double shortlist reflects not only strong commercial performance but also the growing role that specialist AI platforms are playing in helping global pharmaceutical companies make faster and more informed strategic decisions.
