9. Bear Our experts We are a team of writers, experimenters and researchers providing you with the best advice with zero bias or partiality. Founder: Hayley Gait-GoldingFounded: January 2009Website: www.bearnibbles.co.ukBEAR’s fruit nibbles may be selling like hot cakes in leading supermarkets, but that’s where the comparison to sugary snacks ends. The company creates treats made from freshly-picked, seasonal fruit, which is gently baked and packaged without sneaking in any extra sugar or preservatives. As a personal trainer, Gait-Golding was faced with clients who couldn’t resist unhealthy snacks, so she decided to create a low calorie alternative. She named the brand BEAR, referencing the unsavoury habits of city bears who eat from waste bins, in contrast to their slimmer counterparts in the country.The brand was an instant hit, drawing in £2.2m in the first year and securing deals with The Co-operative, Asda and Boots. Employing marketing initiatives such as online games, collectable cards and forest-based events, BEAR just keeps growing. Share this post facebook twitter linkedin