25. Chemist Direct

Founder: Mitesh Soma
Website: www.chemistdirect.co.uk

Mitesh’s online pharmacy has gone from strength-to-strength since appearing on our last Startups 100 list, and with turnover on course to double in 2010, there’s no sign of growth slowing down yet. The e-commerce site, which stocks the same products as high street chemists, without the high street price tags, now employs in excess of 50 people.

This year also saw Mitesh take the concept into a different sector with the launch of Stationery Direct which aims to take on the ‘big three’ stationers – Staples, Viking Direct and Ryman. While Mitesh’s offering may not be completely unique, he’s secured market share by building up a loyal customer base of 300,000 registered users who regularly buy from his sites. His plan now is to continue growth and make Chemist and Stationery Direct household names.