Now in it’s seventh year, Startups 100 was launched to acknowledge and showcase the remarkable achievements and intense hard work of Britain’s young businesses.

While compiling the list is certainly a huge undertaking, the reaction of our winners – and general support across the start-up landscape – is an amazing feeling that makes all the hard work more than worth it.

Always an exciting period, the morning and days following the announcement is full of great buzz and euphoria across social media as businesses begin to celebrate their success.

As a result, we’ve compiled a selection of the reactions we received via @startupstowers, showcasing the best reactions from a very proud bunch of winners and supporters.

The champions

Exciting morning @HeadBox HQ – we’re listed in the top 100 UK startups by @startupstowers https://t.co/RXY9WiqvBBpic.twitter.com/zReEEVubz2

— Florien Pickering (@florien_headbox) May 16, 2016

Guess who made it into the UK’s top 100 start ups ?? #thesesweets #Startups100 pic.twitter.com/DqBgUEMEFm

— Candy Kittens (@CandyKittens_UK) May 17, 2016

Yippee! Thrilled that Live Better With made @startupstowers 2016 hottest 100 startups list! https://t.co/FCQRRXfw76 #Startups100 @LBWCancer

— Tamara Rajah (@Tamara_Rajah) May 16, 2016

OMG what a nice treat for Monday morning – @DigitalMumsHQ are in the @startupstowers Startup100 list at no. 60!! https://t.co/aqDpZ8bTtU

— Kathryn Tyler (@kathryntylerLDN) May 16, 2016

Can’t believe we are part of UK’s hottest startups. Read more here https://t.co/RwFO9P8eNy #Startups100 https://t.co/JTr0t06skr— Adria Wu (@adria_wu) May 17, 2016

Really pleased to have made the #Startups100 2016 – thank you @startupstowers !https://t.co/lL6b6vX0HC pic.twitter.com/9NnnOdYlqR

— Hubble (@HubbleHQ) May 17, 2016

Hooray! @lexoo is #46 on the Startups Top 100!! https://t.co/elyE9uUXCn — Chris O’Sullivan (@thechrisoshow) May 16, 2016

Chuffed to bits that Snaptrip made spot #29 on the @startupstowers Top 100 Start-ups list! https://t.co/p15dGqacrt — Snaptrip (@SnaptripUK) May 16, 2016

Pleased as punch to be featured in the @startupstowers Startups 100 UK top 20! https://t.co/F6kNZ42Szp — Laundrapp (@laundrapp) May 16, 2016

This is awesome! @TheSocialChain have been ranked as the 12th best Start-up in the UK by @StartupsTowers. pic.twitter.com/fTf0lEzF57 — Steven Bartlett (@_SteveBartlett) May 16, 2016

? Delighted to have been named in #Startups100. Have a read why we made the list here: https://t.co/IIT72shLZJ. ?? https://t.co/NMouIPYHYj — Grabyo (@Grabyo) May 16, 2016

No 23 last year. Lucky No 7 this year! @ZeroLight in Top 100 UK Start Ups #No1In2017? https://t.co/vmA3nOw9PD — Darren Jobling (@DarrenJobling) May 16, 2016

 

Support between the Startups community

Great to see @RefME and @HeyPobble make the Start-up 100 list 2016 via @startupstowers https://t.co/CK8EjACVDd pic.twitter.com/eYQ771faBM — EdTech Exchange (@EdTechExchange) May 16, 2016

? Congratulations @_seenit for being recognised in @startupstowers 100 ?? pic.twitter.com/rCadxvyEZ8 — simply-communicate (@simplycomm) May 16, 2016

        Thank you @startupstowers and congratulations to everyone on the list! We’re honoured to be in such illustrious company :-) #startups100 — Frog Bikes (@frogbikes) May 16, 2016

ZipJet has been ranked 11th in @startupstowers Startups 100 UK. We’re thrilled. Congratulations also to our partners at @CarspringUK! #tech — ZipJet (@ZipJetUK) May 16, 2016

Brilliant to see @EdtechukHQ founding members @SchoopPaul @SchoopSocial in the Startup 100 list https://t.co/vNuiNbNLNE — Edtech UK (@EdtechukHQ) May 16, 2016

Shout out to #TechspaceAlumni @DividoUK & @Aisle8Comms who also got a mention on the #Startups100 index @startupstowers — Techspace (@techspaceco) May 17, 2016

Congratulations to Gateshead-based @ZeroLight for their inclusion in the @startupstowers #Startups100 list. pic.twitter.com/dMJiaHsKTj — Tech North (@TechNorthHQ) May 17, 2016

Congrats to @ForwardPrt Partner Co ‘Live Better With’ – @Tamara_Rajah & team – for featuring in the 2016 @startupstowers StartUps 100! — Forward Partners (@ForwardPrt) May 17, 2016

Nice work @appearhere – making your 3rd appearance on the #Startups100! via @startupstowers https://t.co/hm5Pdl8iuA — MMC Ventures (@MMC_Ventures) May 16, 2016

As our countdown finally ticks to 0, we are delighted to announce this year’s prestigious Startups 100 2016 index.

Back for its seventh year, choosing just 100 businesses seems to be an increasingly difficult – but always hugely rewarding task. With the danger of repeating myself from previous years, the current start-up landscape is truly phenomenal, and that was definitely reflected in our entrants this year.

Why the Startups 100 is special

Once again our winners have higher turnover and employee numbers and have raised more finance than ever before. What’s more, they offer a fantastic example of the latest fast-growth sector trends, from car marketplaces such as carwow and Carsnip to Airbnb hosting services like Hostmaker and Airsorted.

The list has proptech, fintech, edtech and healthtech but it also has free from foods, gourmet confectionary and craft beers. It’s a real smorgasbord of what’s hot in start-up land right now.

As an increasing number of indexes and lists are published, here at Startups Towers we still believe there’s something very special about the Startups 100. Of course, we may be just a tad bias, but there are a number of aspects that make the list distinct.

Not only has it been going since 2008, so has a long reputation and history, but it was the first ranked index of its kind.

With a focus on innovation and potential, we have the pleasure of naming some huge British business success stories in their early infancy and 2016 winners can be proud to join an illustrious alumni from notonthehightstreet to Zoopla and Hello Fresh.

As last year’s number one with just a year of trading under its belt, Purplebricks is a shining example of what the list is all about – going on to list on AIM the same year raising £58m.

And being named means a lot to our winners – which in turn means a lot to us. You only need to check out the reactions from last year. And so it should. Creating exposure, generating PR, proving credibility and even attracting investor attention are just some of the reasons why winning is such a big deal.

The Startups 100 methodology

So what makes a business a worthy Startups 100 winner? Every year entrants must meet the following basic criteria:

• UK-based
• Privately owned
• Started trading on or after 1 January 2013

But we’re looking for a lot more than that. While not always easy to quantify, we’re searching for:

• An innovative proposition – whether that’s disrupting a stagnant market with a new twist or (increasingly rare these days) a brand new and original product or tech
• Impressive founders – from young founders with incredible drive to experienced entrepreneurs with a stellar track record
• Employee numbers – we’re looking for businesses that can truly scale and make a positive contribution to the UK economy
• Funds raised – although we’re also impressed by lean businesses that have grown organically
• Traction to date – it’s not all about the numbers but they certainly help. Impressive turnovers, and even better profits, are a great indicator of early success
• Potential – this is crucial. While traction is important we’re not afraid to back early-stage firms that we feel could be the winners of tomorrow…
• Global ambition – we want businesses that aren’t afraid to dream big

So what are you waiting for? Find out who these stellar businesses are.

Starting at number 100 and counting down to our ultimate winner, meet the UK’s most exciting early-stage businesses you can’t afford to miss…

What do you think of the 2016 Startups 100? Have we overlooked anyone? Are there any companies we should keep an eye on for our next list? Tell us on Twitter, using the hashtag #Startups100.

Founders: Anna Mackenzie and Lucy Wright
Founded: February 2013 (Launched December 2013)
Website: www.cuckoofoods.co.uk

Anna Mackenzie came up with the idea for Cuckoo muesli while at university, when finding a healthy and tasty breakfast to take to the library proved difficult. While back for summer and eating the bircher muesli her mum prepared at home, she found it tasted far better than anything in the shops – giving her that ever elusive lightbulb moment.

Alongside school friend Lucy Wright, she set up Cuckoo: a brand that currently makes five unusual flavours of premium on-the-go Bircher muesli pots including elderflower & cranberry with blueberry & blackcurrant, and choco sour cherry with madagascan vanilla. Having first launched in Selfridges, Daylesford and Waitrose in August 2014, the brand is now available nationwide in selected Tesco stores and via Ocado. The young business also went on to win a Great Taste award – an accolade it claims to hold alone amongst bircher muesli brands.

In at number 100, Cuckoo has ambitious growth plans for the next year, with aims to grow the brand within its current retailers to take advantage of the customer base it has already built up and to gain new customers in other areas of the industry. In a relatively short time, Mackenzie and Wright have built up a successful brand, achieving nationwide distribution within a notoriously tough market – long may they continue.

Founder: Rich Pleeth
Founded: July 2015 (launched November 2015)
Website: www.supmenow.com

Frequent business flyer Rich Pleeth found himself constantly checking into Facebook when he arrived in a new city to see if friends were nearby, only to find they’d get back to him too late. Unlike other apps, which facilitate stalking, he wanted to create an experience that allowed people to see their friends more, “without the creep factor” of tracking.

Sup app does just that – the free app sends a notification to users when their friends are nearby, giving them the chance to meet and catch up. Targeting ‘hyperconnected’ 16-30-year-olds, the platform already has more than 15,000 users signed up. But how does it generate revenue? Sup app uses Facebook likes to send targeted push notifications, informing users of promotions available when they are nearby to a food or retail outlet they like.

To date, Sup app has raised £409,000 in funding with plans to raise an additional £700,000 in the coming months. On the back of this, the business expects to ramp up the number of users to one million. Pleeth has some stellar previous experience growing digital brands. He claims to have led Google Chrome’s rise to the number one browser globally and to have increased the market valuation of GetTaxi to $110m – a good omen for the future success of his latest venture.

Founders: Maria Trechman and Sara Trechman
Founded: February 2015 (launched February 2016)
Website: www.wellandtruly.co.uk 

It’s still early days for Well&Truly, having just launched in February – nevertheless, the healthy snack alternative start-up proving “less is moreish” has already secured listings in more than 1,000 Tesco stores nationwide.

Swedish-born sisters Maria Trechman and Sara Trechman founded the company after they saw the growing popularity of free from food in the UK – according to a Mintel report 55% of the population buy free from, with 98% doing so as a lifestyle choice rather than because of allergy. With a clear market, they saw an opportunity to boost the mass appeal of free from products simply by improving the taste, look, feel and branding.

Sticking to an all-natural ingredient ethos, with branding and a price that appeals to the British consumer, Well&Truly’s first product – ‘Gluten Free Tortilla Chips’ – has clearly hit the spot. Alongside their Tesco listing, the duo has begun to target additional national chains and specialist and online retailers. Next month should also see the launch of the company’s second product in Wholefoods as it continues to build nationwide distribution, with an advertising campaign around London planned for the summer, as well as appearances at various food and country shows to drive brand awareness. Still in its infancy, Well&Truly is a company with a simple mission but big ambitions – we predict big things.

Founders: Christer Holloman, Anders Hallsten and Fredrik Borquist
Founded: October 2014 (Launched August 2015)
Website: www.divido.com

While trying to buy a new sofa, Christer Holloman found that the small store was unable to offer the same installment finance plans that allow customers to spread the cost of an item over a period of time as larger corporates do. But why shouldn’t they be able to?

With the help of Anders Hallsten and Fredrik Borquist, he launched Divido: a service that allows consumers to pay for any purchase in installments over anything from 12 months to five years, while the merchant gets paid in full right away. Divido simply charges an initial set up fee, as well as a monthly fee and the cost of the finance provided.

So far, the firm has amassed 100 on and offline retail clients, mostly from the furniture, bike and music sectors, but it also serves funeral, fashion, healthcare and education companies. Unlike competitors, the London-based business claims to offer a completely instant, paperless solution that works in store, online and even over the phone. Divido’s service supports all major e-commerce platforms including Shopify, Magneto and WordPress.

Started with £1m in VC and angel funding, Divido’s ambitious plans for 2016 involve doubling the size of its 11-strong team and quadrupling turnover. Already off to a flying start, expect big things from Divido.

Founders: Lucy Woodhouse and Meriel Kehoe
Founded: July 2012 (Launched May 2014)
Website: www.claudiandfin.co.uk

Unable to find any healthy lollies for their children in the local supermarket, Lucy Woodhouse and Meriel Kehoe set to work creating their own at home. Several trial recipes later they had a winner: a Greek-style frozen yoghurt lolly made with natural ingredients.

Named after their children – the brand’s first taste testers – Claudi & Fin claims its strawberry and mango lollies have fewer calories than an apple and less sugar than the 30 top-selling rivals in the supermarkets. After winning the PitchUp with Sainsbury’s competition and securing the supermarket as its first ever customer, Claudi & Fin launched in 250 stores nationwide in 2014. The company now distributes to 450 stores, as well as 180 Waitrose stores, 30 Budgen’s – and, most recently, to 450 Tesco’s. Outside the UK, the brand exports to Supervalu and Centra in the Republic of Ireland.

Claudi & Fin has big plans for the future, with two new “healthier-for-you” products currently in development and meetings to pitch to its two biggest customers already secured. A move outside the world of retail into the food service sector is also in the pipeline, with chains such as Wetherspoons and David Lloyd gyms interested in stocking the product. With the government estimated to spend an estimated £5.1bn a year on obesity-related illnesses, Claudi & Fin is well placed to capitalise on the growing demand for healthier treats.

Founders: Stuart McClure, Mark Solomon and David Bishop
Founded: August 2014 (launched March 2015)
Website: www.lovethesales.com

What do Disney, Garnier, and Adidas have in common? Asides from being big-name brands, these companies – alongside almost 500 others – all feature on Love the Sales; the e-commerce start-up which aggregates retail sale products into one site for your perusal.

Launched last year by Stuart McClure, Mark Solomon, and David Bishop, the discount site intends to make it easier for you to find the best deals without having to surf all over the web.

While it does have competitors, the entrepreneurs say the site differentiates itself by not employing the flash sales model (dubbed “old fashioned”) as this only allows for impulse purchases dependent on a company’s stock. Love the Sales, on the other hand, shows consumers sales that are on every day of the year; an offering which it claims enables customers to “take advantage of the sales on the products they want”, rather than those that “fortuitously happen to become available”.

With no employees apart from its founding trio, the business has already achieved a great deal in the past 18 months. Microsoft Ventures previously accepted the company onto its Bizpark + accelerator programme and property developer The Collective has backed the company with a “six-figure” investment.

Now in the closing stages of a Series A round, McClure et al say “massive growth is on the cards” when it comes to sales, marketing, and tech behind the scenes. They are also poised to make some new hires so that even more of us can ‘love the sales’.