Startups 100 2017: Official ranking of UK’s most exciting new businesses unveiled

Startups.co.uk is delighted to announce the publication of the Startups 100 2017; the prestigious annual index of the 100 most innovative and exciting new businesses in the UK today.

Sponsored by AXA Business Insurance, this is the eighth year for the index, which shines a light on UK businesses founded in the last three years that have the highest growth potential and the most disruptive concepts.

With 100 start-ups, 193 founders – spanning in age from 22 to 59, and with 71 new entries this year, the Startups 100 2017 demonstrates the incredible pool of entrepreneurial talent this country has to offer.

The numbers speak for themselves; the 100 businesses employ more than 2,000 people, have attracted over £200m in funding – while 18 have successfully grown organically, and average annual revenues topped £1.64m while 10 businesses have achieved more than £4m in revenues.

This year’s well-deserved number one company is e-commerce mattress start-up eve Sleep, which jumps up 10 places from its ranking in the 2016 index.

eve, which has just gone public on London’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) with a valuation of £140m but was privately-owned at the time of its entry submission, is the developer of what it claims to be the “world’s most comfortable” mattress: an affordable three-layer memory foam product that comes in a range of sizes and with a 10-year guarantee.

Just over two years old, the 80-strong company posted revenues upwards of £12m for 2016 and is backed by £17m in funding (raising an additional £35m as part of its AIM placing). Its widening EBITDA losses of £11.3m show the scale of its ambition, costs that will need to be controlled, but already operating in 10 countries and with sights firmly set on Europe’s £26bn mattress, bedroom and bath market its potential appears enormous.

eve joins an illustrious list of previous winners including last year’s number one LendInvest and 2015 winner Purplebricks. Other notable Startups 100 alumni include Notonthehighstreet.com, Captify, Deliveroo and MVF, which acquired Startups.co.uk earlier this year.

Take a look at the Startups 100 2017 in numbers:

• Winning businesses have raised over £200m in funding.
• The 100 businesses employ 2,187 staff combined.
• Food & drink and retail are the hottest start-up sectors, followed by proptech and marketing.
• 21 of the companies are based outside London with start-ups from Yorkshire, Cambridge, Wales and more.
• There are 30 female founders in the index.
• 45 of the businesses are run by solo founders.

Flight Club, the Shoreditch-based social darts venue, has taken the much coveted runner-up position in the 2017 index, while Leadstream and Social Chain, the Manchester-based social media marketing company, are recognised among the top 10.

This year, for the first time in Startups 100 history, an exclusive, invite-only event is being held to celebrate the 100 winning businesses.

Taking place on 22 June at an exclusive London location, the event will gives winners the chance to network with their peers over drinks and canapés and will feature a keynote speech from a former Startups 100 household name.

Commenting on the launch of the index, Startups.co.uk features and news editor, Megan Dunsby: “The Startups 100 2017 index serves as inspiration for anyone thinking about starting a business and highlights the possibilities of what can be achieved in less than three years.

“In light of current economic uncertainty and political unrest, this index flies a flag in the face of critics who believe the UK is losing its title as a thriving business hub. On the contrary, the 100 start-ups featured in our 2017 index have collectively raised over £200m in funding, employ a whopping 2,187 staff, and boast average turnover in excess of £1.6m – £100,000 more on average than businesses in our 2016 list.

“But it’s not all about the numbers. Year after year, what makes the Startups 100 so special is the diversity and innovation it showcases; from fashion and e-commerce, to SaaS and artificial intelligence, food and drink, and even sex toys – these new companies are all shaking up traditional markets which is becoming increasingly rare these days.

“The Startups 100 2017 has a reputation for identifying the future businesses of tomorrow and we’re excited to track the progress of these 100 formidable start-ups as they scale!”

Share your support for the Startups 100 2017 index and the great start-ups it showcases with the hashtag #Startups100