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Startups 100 Unicorn Companies | Startups.co.uk
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Startups 100 Unicorn Companies | Startups.co.uk 


The Startups 100 Index has all the time been about showcasing the UK’s most fun and modern companies.

Beginning in 2008, we’ve seen many firms take off, disrupting conventional industries, introducing groundbreaking options and for some, attaining the last word milestone – unicorn standing.

Coined by enterprise capitalist Alison Lee in 2013, unicorn standing occurs when a privately held startup reaches a valuation of $1 billion or extra. And for eleven of our Startup 100 alumni, this milestone has turn out to be a actuality.

Whether or not in fintech, healthcare or schooling, these companies are proof of simply how transformative early-stage startups might be, redefining their sectors with contemporary concepts, cutting-edge know-how, and placing the client first.

These firms show that success doesn’t all the time comply with the normal path, and with the correct mix of innovation, timing and market demand, even the latest gamers could make an enormous distinction.

On this article, we’re highlighting a few of the standout firms from Startups 100 which have reached unicorn standing, exploring their journeys and the affect they’re making throughout industries at the moment.

1. Revolut

Revolut had already hit unicorn standing by the point it topped the Startups 100 Index in 2019. 

Nonetheless, the neobank has continued to place itself as a frontrunner within the fintech trade – going past simply providing fundamental banking companies, comparable to aggressive forex alternate charges, cashback for eligible purchases and the power to guide lodges and lodging in-app. Its push into AI-driven monetary administration instruments has additionally helped prospects automate financial savings, observe their spending and get real-time insights into their funds.

In November 2024, the corporate surpassed 50 million prospects worldwide. It additionally hit a $45 billion valuation and obtained a UK banking license with restrictions from the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), permitting for the discharge of latest merchandise, comparable to eSIMs to deal with excessive information roaming prices, a debit card loyalty programme and cellular wallets for sooner worldwide transactions.

2. Monzo

One other spectacular participant within the fintech area, Monzo was first featured on the Startups 100 Index in 2016. 

Even earlier than attaining its unicorn standing, the digital-only financial institution was already hitting important milestones. Only a yr after being based, Monzo set the file for the “quickest crowdfunding marketing campaign in historical past”, elevating £1 million in 96 seconds by way of the Crowdcube platform.

What makes Monzo stand out from conventional banks is that prospects can open an account in minutes, get prompt fee notifications and put away cash into digital “financial savings pots” – all from one easy-to-use app. Its modern method earned the corporate its unicorn standing in 2018, and as of August 2024, Monzo has over 10 million customers within the UK, together with each private and enterprise prospects.

3. BrewDog

A reputation you’ve undoubtedly come throughout within the beer aisle many instances, and one which graced the Startups 100 Index in 2020.

BrewDog’s journey dates all the way in which again to 2007, beginning out as a small microbrewery in northeast Scotland, with a mission to supply alternate options to industrially brewed beers. Since then, the model has exploded onto the alcohol scene with its high quality craft beers. Not solely was it rapidly stocking the cabinets of in style supermarkets, nevertheless it additionally opened its first bar in Aberdeen in 2010 and has since opened over 100 extra worldwide.

Nonetheless, it was in 2017 when BrewDog levelled as much as its unicorn standing. That very same yr, it launched The Unicorn Fund, which pledged to donate 20% of its income yearly – 10% shared between the crew and 10% given to charity.

4. GoCardless

From the start, the corporate’s mission was to unravel the issue of companies struggling to gather funds on time, in flip eradicating the excessive charges and failure charges related to playing cards and digital wallets. 

Regardless of regulatory hurdles at first, GoCardless has hit some wonderful milestones in its 14-year run, comparable to launching its companies to the US and Australia between 2018 and 2020, earlier than lastly attaining its well-deserved unicorn standing in 2022. With a give attention to simplicity and cost-effectiveness, GoCardless is now trusted by hundreds of companies worldwide, together with Plum, Sage and Yonder.

5. Clever

Initially referred to as TransferWise, this long-running fintech first hit the Startups 100 Index in 2012, with a mission to supply borderless worldwide transactions which can be “prompt, handy, clear and finally free”.

Prospects can open a Clever account free of charge and might maintain and ship cash in over 40 totally different currencies, in addition to convert between them at mid-market charges. It additionally presents its personal multicurrency fee card, permitting prospects to spend cash abroad with out excessive transaction charges.

Clever turned a startup unicorn in 2011, the identical yr it was based – turning into an early pioneer in sooner and simpler worldwide transactions – particularly throughout a time when even banking apps have been of their infancy. As of March 2024, Clever has 12.8 million prospects and is valued at round £11.09 billion.

6. Gymshark

First began as a aspect hustle by founder Ben Francis whereas finding out at college, Gymshark has since grown right into a powerhouse within the health attire trade.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t simply Gymshark’s top-quality merchandise that contributed to its huge success. Moderately, its give attention to constructing a powerful social media presence created a way of group amongst its prospects, as a substitute of simply promoting merchandise. Collaborations with influencers on platforms like Instagram and YouTube additionally helped it attain a wider viewers.

Gymshark’s dedication and distinctive method earned it unicorn standing in 2020. These days, the corporate is value $1.3 billion (as of April 2023) and reported a 15% improve in income to £556.2 million in 2023. With its distinctive mix of influencer advertising, high-quality merchandise and deep connections with its audience, Gymshark reveals no indicators of slowing down anytime quickly.

7. Deliveroo

Deliveroo might be the primary identify that involves thoughts with regards to that long-awaited Friday evening takeaway.

Since launching in February 2013, and incomes its runner-up title on the Startups 20 checklist, Deliveroo has rapidly turn out to be one of the crucial in style meals supply companies, reshaping the way in which customers get pleasure from restaurant meals from the consolation of their very own houses.

Beginning out by partnering with London-based eating places, Deliveroo rapidly expanded its attain throughout the UK and different international locations – providing a platform the place prospects may join and order from native eating places and grocers, and get meals delivered on to their doorstep. Its huge success paved the way in which for attaining unicorn standing in 2017. In the present day, Deliveroo operates in 10 markets worldwide, and as of 2024, has 7.1 million month-to-month lively customers throughout the globe.

8. Gousto

Life is hectic today, and as a rule, individuals don’t have the time to prepare dinner meals from scratch. 

That is one thing Gousto got down to clear up when it launched in 2012. Concentrating on busy, time-poor prospects, the corporate presents handy meal kits that present all the mandatory substances to create wholesome, home-cooked meals in a fraction of the time.

From the beginning, Gousto’s method was a recipe for achievement, later attaining unicorn standing in 2021. The rise in at-home cooking, fueled by busy existence, helped the corporate faucet right into a quickly increasing marketplace for meal package supply companies. In the meantime, its subscription mannequin and expanded choices (e.g. vegan or gluten-free) helped develop its buyer base additional, and the corporate now delivers over 5 million meals a month.

9. Cera

Whereas working as a practising doctor in A&E and public well being drugs, founder Ben Maruthappu was floored by the quantity of pointless hospital visits, in addition to the sophisticated strategy of organising take care of a member of the family.

From there, he based Cera – a digital platform that offers carers the power to supply personalised help to individuals of their houses. Plus, by means of AI know-how and predictive analytics, Cera helps establish well being dangers early, stopping pointless hospital visits and easing stress on the NHS.

Because of its tech-driven method, Cera has grown into one of many largest healthcare-at-home suppliers within the UK, serving to it obtain unicorn standing in 2022. With a workforce of over 10,000 carers and cutting-edge know-how at its core, Cera continues to revolutionise dwelling healthcare throughout the nation.

10. Multiverse

The winner of the Startups 100 for 2021 Index, Multiverse is all about redefining schooling by offering high-quality apprenticeships as a substitute for conventional college levels.

By way of its data-driven platform, Multiverse connects candidates with prime employers in tech, finance, media and regulation – equipping them with in-demand abilities, hands-on expertise and profession mentorship to assist put together them for the fashionable workforce.

Since reaching unicorn standing in 2022, Multiverse has continued to make a distinction, having expanded to the US in 2024 and securing over 15,000 partnerships, together with prime companies like Google, Meta and Morgan Stanley. In the present day, Multiverse has efficiently educated 16,000 skilled apprentices and continues to empower younger individuals with the whole lot they should thrive within the working world.

11. Zego

Common insurance coverage insurance policies usually lack flexibility, forcing companies and gig financial system staff to pay for protection they don’t want or can’t absolutely use.

Founders Sten Saar and Harry Franks found this whereas working at Deliveroo, and got down to develop Zego – an on-demand, pay-as-you-go insurance coverage platform that permits companies and self-employed people to tailor their insurance policies primarily based on their particular wants. With this, prospects solely pay for what they really use, whether or not it’s per hour or mile.

From the start, the corporate discovered a major hole available in the market for versatile, usage-based insurance coverage for staff in industries like supply and transportation. Partnerships with main firms like Uber and Deliveroo, plus important funding in 2021, fueled Zego’s speedy development and its unicorn standing in 2021.

Conclusion

These unicorns are proof of simply how transformative early-stage startups might be. From fintech disruptors like Revolut and Monzo to trade pioneers like Gymshark and Multiverse, these firms have reimagined their industries and constructed manufacturers that resonate with hundreds of thousands.

Their success tales spotlight the ability of innovation – turning small startups into family names that reshape the way in which we financial institution, store and work. Plus, with new companies rising onto the scene on a regular basis, and know-how evolving sooner than ever, the subsequent massive success story may very well be simply across the nook.

Ensure that to take a look at the Startups 100 Index for 2025, the place we showcase probably the most thrilling and modern startups making waves this yr. And in case you’re feeling impressed to start out your personal enterprise, head over to our enterprise concepts web page that will help you kickstart your entrepreneurial journey at the moment!



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