42. DesignMyNight

Founders: Nick Telson and Andrew Webster
Founded: December 2011
Website: www.designmynight.com

It was after witnessing the “amazing” nightlife knowledge of a New York hotel concierge that 29-year-old Nick Telson and business partner Andrew Webster turned their attention to what was on offer for Londoners on the web. What they found was “half-baked” nightlife and ticketing websites wherever they looked. The idea for DesignMyNight was born; an online concierge which finds venues and offers tailored nights to the exact occasion and budget of UK city dwellers.

Currently available in London, Birmingham, Brighton, Glasgow, and Manchester, 18-employee DesignMyNight has quickly proved a hit with audiences ranging from students to corporate customers – the site has grown to facilitate around 5,000 tickets per month, which generate commission and booking fees for the platform. With £500,000 backing from a group of prominent business angels, former L’Oréal marketer Telson and management consultant Webster are planning a landmark year. Having just released what they claim will be the world’s first-ever bar-specific booking system (‘Collins’) the pair, who started the business with just £15,000 of personal savings, have ambitious plans to build upon the growth potential of DesignMyNight’s unique concept.