Solo Connects wins MK Business Achievement Award for Best Micro Business

Milton Keynes, 20 March 2026

Solo Connects has been awarded Best Micro Business at the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards 2026 where the theme was “The Power of Partnerships: Come together to achieve more.”

The award for Best Micro Business was presented by Mayor James Lancaster and recognised Solo Connects outstanding collaboration and impact within the local economy. Solo Connects was also shortlisted in the Leisure, Entertainment & Hospitality category.

Founded back in October 2024 with little more than a Facebook group and a shared passion for bringing people together, Solo Connects is the fastest growing friendship and dating community in Milton Keynes and is proud to support singles across the city - both socially and emotionally.

Despite being one of the smallest businesses in a room filled with hundreds of established organisations, Solo Connects stood out to judges, who commented:

“This winner has made a positive contribution to social mobility across Milton Keynes, helping to drive customers and repeat business into the leisure and hospitality sector. They have a strong partnership ethos working with venues across the city.”

Since launching, Solo Connects has supported 30 local venues and generated over £70,000 in revenue for local businesses. They have worked closely with pubs, bars, and restaurants across the city, as well as collaborating with local DJs, print companies, venue decorators, to deliver engaging and inclusive social experiences.

A Win Built on Community and Collaboration

The founders were keen to highlight that this achievement belongs not just to them, but to the wider Milton Keynes business and social community.

Samantha Poole, Co-Founder of Solo Connects, said:

“We are absolutely over the moon to win Best Micro Business at the MK BAA Awards. To have built something from a simple idea – to get 20 single people down the pub once a month- and to now be recognised in a room full of established businesses is truly incredible.”

Partnerships are at the heart of everything we do, and this award means so much because it celebrates the relationships we’ve built across the city.”

Rachel Allen, Co-Founder of Solo Connects, added:

“We want to say a huge congratulations to all the incredible businesses who were shortlisted - it’s an honour to be recognised alongside you.

This award belongs to our amazing community, who show up, support each other, and bring such a fun, welcoming energy to every event. We’ve also been lucky to work with fantastic local venues and suppliers who have believed in what we’re building from day one. Together, we’re creating something really special for Milton Keynes.”

Driving Social Impact Through Business

Solo Connects is more than just a dating events company - it is a community-focused initiative designed to tackle loneliness, build confidence, and create meaningful connections in a relaxed, real-world setting.

By prioritising collaboration and local partnerships, the business continues to play a valuable role in supporting the city’s leisure and hospitality sector while making single life more enjoyable and less isolating.

Rachel and Sam would like to thank the MK BAA judges and organisers for their support, their venue partners and suppliers, Mayor of MK James Lancaster for presenting the award and most importantly, their incredible community of single people living their best solo life.

Solo Connects hosts friendship and dating events across Milton Keynes and into Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. If you’d like to come to our friendly and welcoming events, please visit www.soloconnects.co.uk

If you’re single, feel free to join our Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/soloconnectsUK