40. MysteryVibe

Founders: Stephanie Alys, Shanshan Xu and Soumyadip Rakshit
Founded: May 2015 (Launched February 2016)
Website: www.mysteryvibe.com

Coming in at number 40 in our list, MysteryVibe is a fast-growing technology brand that knows how to push all the right buttons – and boundaries.

Combining traditional sex toys with the latest in tech and artificial intelligence (AI), the start-up’s flagship product, the Crescendo, is described as “the world’s first body-adapting smart six-motor vibrator” and can be controlled by the MysteryVibe app.

Wireless and showerproof, the toy comes in a standard size of 21 cm length and is available in either purple or blue.

Having only launched to retail in November 2016, the sex-tech start-up is already creating a huge buzz amongst consumers – and has already shipped 1,000 units per month.

Founded by Young Guns Stephanie Alys, Shanshan Xu and Soumyadip Rakshit, the trio came up with the idea after noticing how personable pleasure was being overlooked by technological innovation and advancement.

Taking their ideas to industrial designer Seymourpowell (who loved it) the team have already raised £2.6m worth of investment to date, however its ambition lies far beyond just selling sex to a niche market:

The Shoreditch-based business’ main goal is to stock its toys in mainstream retail stores and it wants every member of the public to be able to, “without shame or shock”, “discover pleasure products just like you would find high end consumer electronics goods”. Further still, it hopes to increase dialogue about the benefits of sexual pleasure.

Expecting to turnover £3m in 2017, MysteryVibe is also developing its app so that, in the future, it will be able to collect user data and assist in improving sexual health and pleasure research.