We are absolutely thrilled to share some exciting news with our community. Our co-founder, Lisa Hourihan, has been officially shortlisted as a finalist for Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the prestigious UK Small Business Awards 2026.
Originally from Warrington and now leading our mission from Manchester, Lisa's nomination is a testament to her dedication to reshaping the world of online language education. As a nurse and medical English coach, she experienced firsthand the need for a platform that didn't just deliver quality lessons, but genuinely valued the people delivering them.
Lisa's shortlisting was covered by the Warrington Guardian, highlighting her journey from Warrington to building a global language tutoring platform.
Since TEO Academy launched in 2025, our goal has been clear: to create a global tutoring marketplace that prioritises both the student's learning experience and the tutor's livelihood.
In an industry where educators are too often undervalued, Lisa built TEO Academy on the principle of ethical pay — because when tutors are remunerated fairly for their expertise, the standard of education for students rises with it.
For Lisa and the entire team, being named a finalist is about far more than a trophy. It acknowledges the journey of the #teotutors community — a vision for a more equitable EdTech space that has grown into a thriving global network of passionate educators and learners.
What began as a bold idea has expanded into a platform connecting students with professional language tutors across the globe, offering personalised learning experiences whilst supporting tutors with the fair earning opportunities they deserve.
TEO Academy connects students with expert language tutors worldwide — built on the twin pillars of educational quality and fair pay for every tutor on the platform.
Lisa's shortlisting by the UK Small Business Awards is a recognition not just of her entrepreneurial achievement, but of the values that sit at TEO Academy's core. In an EdTech landscape dominated by platforms that treat tutors as a commodity, TEO's model is designed to be both student-centred and tutor-friendly.
We are immensely proud of Lisa and everything TEO Academy represents. As we look forward to the awards ceremony, we want to thank the UK Small Business Awards for this recognition — and, most importantly, thank you, our community, for believing in a fairer way to learn.
Stay tuned for updates as we continue to champion accessible, high-quality, and ethical language education. 🌍
