19. BBOXX

Founders: Christopher Baker-Brian, Mansoor Mohammad Hamayun and Laurent Van Houke
Founded: March 2010 
Website: www.bboxx.co.uk

Following its entry at number 23 in the Startups 100 last year, BBOXX continues to enjoy unparalleled growth with its unique portable solar energy offering – delivering electricity to off-grid locations in developing countries across the world. Its franchise model has allowed the company to continue its rapid expansion over the last year and its product is now found in 14 markets worldwide, including Kenya, Uganda, India, Pakistan – and the UK. The company posted strong revenues of £980,000 last year but have ambitious plans for further growth, with the 1.4 billion people across the globe without access to reliable electricity representing a huge and largely untapped market. To widen its appeal in these developing countries, BBOXX is set to begin selling its generators in Kenya and Uganda on a pay-monthly basis rather than for an upfront fee – so those who cannot afford the upfront expense of a portable generator can still have access to reliable electricity. The company’s ambitions stretch to providing reliable electricity to 20 million people by 2020, whilst retaining the consumer-focused ethos of its not-for-profit origins.