29. Laundrapp

Founders: Edward Relf, Antony Pink and Nick Bransby-Williams
Founded: April 2014 (launched January 2015)
Website: www.laundrapp.com

It seems the digital world is threatening to disrupt every antiquated industry, and the century old laundry and dry cleaning industry wasn’t going to escape unscathed for long. Citing washing machines as its main competitor, Laundrapp is an on-demand laundry service that collects, cleans and delivers at your convenience.

Users download the app, select what service they require, and leave it up to the company to sort out, with real time ordering and driver logistics to ensure a slick and streamlined service. Partner facilities are pre-screened and a load will cost anything from £1.50 to £20 depending on garments and the type of service – collection and delivery is free.

The app launched in Birmingham and Edinburgh within weeks of its London release, and having already claimed to process tens of thousands of orders, hopes to launch in other cities soon. At just a few months old, Laundrapp is one of the youngest businesses on the list, but with £5.5m investment and explosive growth, this start-up already has already achieved more than others do in years.

With plans to become “one of London’s most successful start-ups”, it will be exciting to see how its growth and expansion plans evolve over the coming year – especially given co-founder Relf’s business credentials as the former marketing director of tech giant Mind Candy.