29. WhipCar

Founders: Vinay Gupta and Tom Wright
Founded: April 2010

Whipcar is one of those businesses whose genius lies in its simplicity. It is a marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their cars with drivers nearby who need to hire one. The service takes care of the admin – from screening drivers to insurance and breakdown cover – and already has a presence in more than 300 locations around the UK.

Although competitors to the brand do exist, Whipcar’s growth has so far left them in the shade. Wright has already tasted entrepreneurial success, having sold his social network for pregnant women gurgle.com to Mothercare and book recommendation service bookarmy.com to Harper Collins. He has since raised significant start-up capital for Whipcar from Delta Partners.