TeaJoy wins “London Food & Drink Startup of the Year”
Credit: TeaJoy
TeaJoy, the London-based bubble tea brand, has been named ‘London Startup of the Year’ in the Food & Drink category at the UK StartUp Awards 2025 held last week at Vue Cinema London West End.
Co-founded by entrepreneur duo Ning Ma and Jack Gaskin, TeaJoy stood out for its bold innovation, rapid growth, and joyful approach to bringing ready-to-drink bubble tea to the UK market. Inspired by Ning’s passion for bubble tea and a desire to make it more accessible, the win celebrates TeaJoy’s journey from its beginnings in the kitchen of MamaLan restaurant during lockdown to becoming a fast-growing retail brand set to launch its first range of canned bubble teas in August 2025.
“We’re incredibly proud and grateful to receive this recognition,” said Ning Ma, Founder of TeaJoy. “This award celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit that’s been part of TeaJoy since day one. What started as a dream is now a reality, a bubble tea brand designed to bring more joy to everyday moments with every pop, sip, and smile.”
Bubble tea is one of the fastest-growing drinks categories, driven by Gen Z consumers, with the global market projected to surpass $4.2 billion by 2028, according to Vantage Market Research. The brand currently supplies over 500 foodservice and hospitality partners across the UK, from independents to national chains, offering easy-to-serve commercial kits without the need for specialist equipment. Their upcoming canned drinks aim to expand reach further, bringing bubble tea into the hands of everyday consumers via retail and ecommerce channels.
The UK StartUp Awards, created by the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and Fast Growth 50 Index, celebrate the most promising early-stage businesses across the UK. With over 35 categories and entries spanning ten UK regions, the awards offer national recognition, industry exposure, and valuable connections for the UK’s next generation of business leaders.
TeaJoy’s win places them among the top startups in the country, with all regional winners now advancing to compete at the UK national final, taking place later this year at Ideas Fest in Tring, Hertfordshire.
