Barry Houlihan: Mobile Interactive Group

Barry Houlihan
Age: 34
Company: Mobile Interactive Group

Houlihan carries around a notebook in which he jots down his business ideas. As his two-year-old Mobile Interactive Group (MIG) made £21m this year, it would well be worth peering over his shoulder. Founded from a division of O2, Houlihan puts his company’s success down to the core staff he took with him and the speed with which they develop mobile-based technology. Deals with ITV, Freemantle and Celador are in place, and he admits that pacing the company’s growth has been like “holding onto a wild horse.”

2012 update:

MIG’s fast-rising trajectory saw it scoop top ranking in both the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 in 2008 and the 2010 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 EMEA. In 2011, with 160 employees, a £100m-plus turnover, and clients such as PepsiCo, Skype, Sony and Vodafone, American corporation Velti acquired the company for $59m.