22. Climb Online

Founder: Mark Wright
Founded: January 2015
Website: www.climb-online.co.uk

Having worked for a number of other marketing agencies, Mark Wright had spotted holes within their business model and service offering – specifically in regards to customer service, lack of brand, culture and likeability.

He decided to rectify this, and with a little help from Alan Sugar thanks to a winning appearance on The Apprentice, Wright launched his own digital marketing agency: Climb Online – providing SEO services, pay-per-click, social media advertising and web design. The business draws in revenue from multiple sources including monthly retainers, a management fee for paid search and payment in full for website design.

Despite some early online criticism, in its first year of trading, Climb Online has done a pretty good job of proving people wrong, achieving £1.5m in turnover – which it’s set to double this year – and securing over 200 clients across the UK such as Groupon, Company Check and Be Wiser Insurance.

Wright also has big plans for the next year, including the launch of the business’ Manchester operation and the commencement of international expansion. Ultimately, the entrepreneur’s ambitions extend even further to “become the largest and most desired digital agency to work with in the UK and overseas”. If the last 15 months are anything to go by, that dream now doesn’t seem so far-fetched.