56. Digital Balance

Founders: Nicky Hoyland and Chris Keeling
Founded: July 2013
Website: www.digitalbalance.co.uk

Having both developed a love for solving technical problems while working together at EE, Nicky Hoyland and Chris Keeling realised there might be similar gaps in other corporates they could help address.

In 2013 they launched Digital Balance, a Midlands-based technical solutions company, providing web design and development, bespoke e-learning and consultancy inhouse. The company has helped some major names including Santander, Genesis, Expedia and EE, charging per day instead of per project for their services, with clients raising a “bank of days” they can use to build new or support existing projects. This allows Digital Balance to grow and expand alongside its client base.

Since featuring in our 2015 Startups 100 list, the firm has retained its remarkable profit margin, while doubling turnover and growing its staff from just three to 10. Over the coming year, the business plans to embark on a period of continued growth by broadening its range of connections and clients, with the BBC, Sky and Asda already in its scopes. Projected turnover for 2016 is expected to hit an impressive £750,000 – not bad for a business started with just £1,000, and some useful connections and potential clients from the founders’ previous jobs.