Apply to the Startups 100 2026

The Startups 100, the definitive list of the UK’s 100 most promising new businesses, is back.

The Startups 100 is curated each year by the Startups team to showcase exceptional startups to investors, potential clients, and new customers as the ones to watch.

As always, the Startups 100 is completely free to enter. Unlike other awards, we won’t ask you for any money even if you feature in the top 100.

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know to submit an application, including what the Startups 100 is, key dates, eligibility, and our tips on how to turbocharge your entry.

What is the Startups 100 Index?

The Startups 100 is the UK’s longest-running index of the best businesses founded in the last five years. Now in its eighteenth year, we have helped thousands of fledgling new businesses by offering them a vital early platform to kick-start their growth stories.

Some of the many movers and shakers we have identified since 2008 include household names such as Revolut, Monzo, and Deliveroo. Despite this, we remain completely free to enter and dedicated to our core mission of supporting and uplifting UK startups.

This purpose has never felt more important than for the 2026 Startups 100 Index. In a troubling economy, with trading down, we’re celebrating the creativity and agility of UK startups, and highlighting the inspiring entrepreneurs who are using small ideas to fix giant problems.

Who can apply for the Startups 100?

The Startups 100 Index for 2026 is now live, but the Startups 100 Index will return for 2027.

To apply to the Startups 100 Index 2027, your business must:

• Be headquartered in the UK
• Be registered with Companies House
• Have been incorporated on or after 1 January 2021

And that’s all we ask! As long as they fulfil the above criteria, our top 100 startups can be based in any industry and anywhere in the UK. And, excitingly, you don’t need to be over 18 to apply; we welcome applications from founders of any age or background.

How to apply for the Startups 100

Please note that applications for the 2026 Index are now closed, and the 2026 Startups 100 Index is now live. Applications for the 2027 Startups 100 Index will open around July 2026.

Before you fill out our online entry form, you’ll need to gather all the necessary information that we’ll need to judge your application. That includes:

• Basic business and founder details 
• Your Companies House number
• The story of your business journey 
• Partner, client, and investor information
• Funding information (all financial data you provide us with will be kept confidential)
• Growth statistics 
• Social impact (such as information on sustainability, DEI, CSR)
• Founder image of at least 1MB

Once you’ve submitted your form, your application is complete, and we will begin the judging process.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think Lottie would feature, let alone be ranked number one and follow in the footsteps of startup royalty like Revolut and Multiverse. I’m so proud of Lottie’s team and so thankful to Startups for allowing us the opportunity to fly our pink flag for the social care industry on such an acclaimed list.” – Will Donnelly, founder of Startups 100 2025 winner, Lottie.

How we choose the top 100 startups

Our online form will ask you to provide us with clear facts and figures that give us evidence of your company’s growth story, ranging from financial details to five-year vision.

During the judging process, we use this data to assign weighted scores to every business entrant based on five key areas of analysis:

• Amount of funding raised
• External validation – such as customer testimonials, industry awards, and audience size
• The size of the opportunity – could you/how do you plan to scale-up?
• Strength of concept – is your idea unique?
• Innovation – how is your idea disrupting the market?

When finalising the top 100, our judges look for impressive ideas with lots of growth potential – but don’t feel intimidated if you haven’t got big funding figures to advertise or a well-known partner. More important is your business journey and the passion you have for your mission.

“The way you tell the story is important. Get quotes from all angles, from your team to your partners and suppliers, to demonstrate your impact in an emotive way.” – Finn Lagun, founder of triple-Startups 100 alum, Pasta Evangelists.

Deadline and key dates

Entries for the 2026 Startups 100 Index closed on 10th October 2025 at 5pm (BST), meaning we are not currently accepting submissions.

The winners have now been announced, and you can discover them in the 2026 Startups 100 Index.

Next year’s Index will be released in January 2027, which applications opening around July 2026.

Start your Startups 100 application

Applications for the 2026 Index are now closed, and we are not currently accepting new submissions. You can check out the winning startups in the Startups 100 Index for 2026 now.

Applications for the 2027 Startups 100 Index will open around July 2026.

If you have any questions about your entry — or anything else you’d like to know —
drop us an email at su100@startups.co.uk.

“Appearing in the index has certainly validated our business as a market leading player within our industry, as well as raising our brand awareness and credibility” – Melissa Snover, CEO of Nourished