People’s Champion finalist 2017: Climb Online

Start-up name: Climb Online
Founders: Mark Wright and Lord Sugar
Started in: January 2015
Based in: London
Business description: Digital marketing agency specialising in SEO and paid search.

Shortlisted categories:

Service Business of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year

The Climb Online story:

If you’re a TV buff then 27 year-old Young Gun Mark Wright will no doubt be a familiar name as winner of the BBC’s The Apprentice back in 2014.

And, while Wright entered the spotlight through the reality show, the entrepreneur has proven his business credentials with the fast growth of his digital marketing agency Climb Online.

Launched in January 2015, and developed in partnership with Lord Sugar, Climb Online seeks to “do digital marketing differently”.

Profitable within two months of trading, Climb Online boasts of being the most successful business to have been founded by an Apprentice winner – able to return Lord Sugar’s initial investment of £250,000 after nine months, and achieving first year turnover in excess of £1m.

A top listed Google Partner within the UK and the owner of Facebook BluePrint Certification, Wright’s agency has secured contracts with over 450 businesses from across the UK and overseas, helping turnover to soar to £4m.

While the market for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and digital marketing agencies is highly competitive, Wright asserts that it’s the unique and simple approach that he and his team of 40 provide which has created a true brand in Climb Online.

This approach includes designing and implementing the country’s first SEO “paid after results” based model, whereby customers only pay if, and when, the results they desire are achieved in the campaign.

Now with four office locations in London, Essex, Bristol and Manchester, Australian-national Wright has his sights set on expanding to his home country in 2018.

His ultimate ambition? To see Climb Online become the most successful and most desired digital marketing agency worldwide.

Why Climb Online made our shortlist:

At age of just 27, Mark Wright can attest to running a multi-million turnover, profitable marketing business.

The hundreds of brands Climb Online has served so far – including Groupon, Company Check and Emirates –  and its retention rate of 91% demonstrates its ability to create, implement and manage digital marketing campaigns which drive real results and provide a positive return on investment.

Where to find out more about Climb Online:

Website: www.climb-online.co.uk
Twitter: @Climb_Online