50. Mallow & Marsh

Founder: Harriot Pleydell-Bouverie
Founded: May 2013 (launched November 2013)
Website: www.mallowandmarsh.com

Marshmallows have previously been confined to fireside camping, sleepovers and kids parties but confectionary start-up Mallow & Marsh is looking to change that with its gourmet luxury marshmallows fit for any occasion.

Stocked in leading supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Co-Op and Wholefoods, alongside farm shops, deli’s and 160 stores nationwide, the London-based food business is well on its way to becoming a retail success thanks to founder Harriot Pleydell-Bouverie’s innovative flavours combinations – matching marshmallows with yoghurt dips, peanut butter spreads, and even smoked chilli paste (yes really).

Having originally launched the business using £250 and “no sleep”, Mallow & Marsh was Pleydell-Bouverie’s second-time start-up – her first, a jewellery brand, struggled to take off – and start-up failure has served her well as she has effectively used her past experience to create a winning business model this time around.

Since featuring in the Startups 100 2014, the company has completed a manufacture shift to produce marshmallows on scale, closed deals with several major retailers and received coverage in major publications such as The Sunday Times, Time Out, Cosmopolitan and The Evening Standard. Brand exposure has also come in the form of an appearance on Dragons’ Den, which, despite an offer of investment, Pleydell-Bouverie decided to reject because it was “far more equity” than she “was willing to give away”.

With revenues set to break the £1m mark over the next year, the female entrepreneur has clearly identified a sweet spot in the confectionary market.