UK’s most outstanding young entrepreneurs have built million pound business empires

Young Guns 2018 is here.

The UK’s small businesses are predicted to contribute £217bn to the economy by 2020 and you can expect young founders like those featured among the Young Guns 2018 to lead the way. 

The Young Guns Class of 2018 compromises entrepreneurs behind 30 of the UK’s most exceptional businesses which have achieved annual revenues of at least £1m and/or have raised over £1m in funding – all before celebrating their 36th birthday.

This year’s list features the creators of the world’s fastest-growing Muslim dating app, a Newcastle entrepreneur creating an innovative means to ‘pimp your drinks’, a founder who has carved a niche merging crazy golf with cocktails, and two brothers on a mission to help fellow orphans.

The 30 awe-inspiring businesses among the Young Guns 2018 have created 1,553 jobs with average annual turnover of £12.3m – almost double that of the average turnover of businesses among the Young Guns Class of 2017 which stood at £6.8m.

The average age of qualifying founders in the index is a mere 30 years-old – with the youngest entrepreneur aged just 25.

Now in its 16th year, the Young Guns index is industry-renowned for recognising emerging business success stories.

It has previously identified early-stage companies started by names such as Sophia Webster of her eponymous fashion brand, Jamie Bolding of Jungle Creations, Will Shu of Deliveroo, Holly Tucker MBE of Notonthehightstreet.com and Richard Reed of innocent drinks and JamJar Investments.

The Young Guns 2018 index is sponsored by chartered accountants and tax advisers haysmacintyre and financial services firm Lloyds Banking Group with all Young Guns entries judged and audited by these organisations, alongside a team of experienced journalists.

Young Guns has also revealed its Five to Watch picks for 2018; five earlier-stage fast-growth businesses that have the potential to achieve Young Guns status within the next 12 months. Names featured include the founders of Fanbytes, Flux, and Unmind. 

Ian Wallis, editorial director of Startups.co.uk, comments on Young Guns 2018:

“With revenue figures up almost 50% on last year’s list and a greater economic contribution than ever before, the Young Guns Class of 2018 is demonstrative of the incredible young entrepreneurial talent our country has to offer.

“This group of young entrepreneurs have built game-changing innovations and shaken up the market with products and services that have clearly whet the appetites of customers and investors alike.

“From businesses specialising in pimped up prosecco and affordable green energy to apps that help us find love and friendship in the new age, the Young Guns 2018 have transformed smart ideas into successful companies – all before the age of 36”.  

View the Young Guns Class of 2018 here now.