Cera | @cera_care
ceracare.co.uk
A care platform transforming healthcare at home
Improbable | @Improbableio
improbable.io
A pioneer in building and connecting virtual worlds
Navenio | @navenioltd
navenio.com
A software company poised to revolutionise workplace efficiency
OLIO | @OLIO_ex
olioex.com
A revolutionary app reducing food waste globally
Elvie | @elvie
elvie.com
A femtech company positively disrupting women’s health
Carbon Clean | @carbonsolu
carbonclean.com
A leading provider of cost-effective carbon capture solutions for heavy industry
Numan | @getnuman
numan.com
A health app tackling stigma in men's health
Faculty AI | @faculty_ai
faculty.ai
Artificial Intelligence company helping to solve the world's biggest problems
Huma | @HumaForHealth
huma.com
A healthtech company pioneering digital-first care and research
Paddle | @paddleHQ
paddle.com
A tech unicorn helping thousands of software businesses to scale
Zencargo | @zencargo
zencargo.com
A digital-first logistics provider building resilient supply chains
Tractable | @tractable_ai
tractable.ai
A leader in using AI for accident and disaster recovery
ZOE | @join_zoe
joinzoe.com
A personalised nutrition company disrupting the nutrition industry
Lyst | @Lyst
lyst.co.uk
A shopping app trusted by over 200 million fashion fans
Blis | @blisglobal
blis.com
An ad-tech company enabling a privacy-first advertising industry
London & The South East
The North West
The West Midlands
The South West
Scotland
Who comes to mind when you think of entrepreneurial British businesses? Perhaps brands such as Dyson, Virgin or McLaren – powerhouses that enjoy name recognition the world over for their game-changing innovations and the ways that they have disrupted their industries.
The UK’s biggest corporations, however, are just the tip of the iceberg. At the other end are over 5.3 million micro businesses that account for the majority of UK enterprises. Recognised as key drivers of growth, this segment represents 95 percent of all UK companies and contributes 21 percent to the UK’s turnover.
But what about the group in the middle?
The UK’s economy depends on thousands of small to medium-sized businesses creating jobs and delivering world-leading innovations, many of which have the potential to solve some of our greatest problems. They contribute more than £2 trillion in turnover to the UK economy and employ 44 percent of the British workforce. And despite the global pandemic, disrupted supply chains, and the cost of living crisis, many of these businesses continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and flexibility.
Yet, these so-called “middle children of the economy” are often forgotten. Too small to have a seat at the table with government, but too large to benefit from some of the incentives and support afforded to nascent companies. A recent study by the Nesta-founded social enterprise “Challenge Works” illustrates the multiple barriers surrounding this squeezed middle, and highlights the challenges they face. This includes a perceived lack of access to investment, with over 68 percent believing that investment for innovation goes to known companies, and 34 percent saying that their attempts to secure funding for untested ideas have been rejected. But the capital does exist. In 2021, the UK experienced a record-breaking year for investment in tech-driven startups and scaleups. So, what needs to change? A good place to start is better signposting to this funding for small- to medium-sized companies.
James Cundy, Head of Mid-Market Corporates and Structured Finance at HSBC UK, recognises the challenge and believes banks need to help change the status quo and drive interest and investment to the middle. ‘‘Mid-sized businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, but are often overlooked. The banking sector has a role to play in helping these companies to thrive – whether that be through access to funding for those which have high-growth potential but are loss-making, by helping to navigate overseas expansion or by introducing them to businesses which can help catalyse their growth.’’
It’s not just about finances. Successful enterprises that are also engaged in tackling the issues of our time are adding particular value. That’s why WIRED, in partnership with HSBC UK, has set up the Trailblazer Programme to shine a light on the innovative, mid-sized businesses that are leading the way in delivering positive economic, societal and environmental outcomes.
WIRED’s 75 Trailblazers, chosen from five UK regions, aim to solve a clear and compelling need, from improving data connectivity, cybersecurity and access to healthcare, to tackling global food shortages and climate change. All are stand-out examples of how to grow while having a positive impact on the world.
Now Read
1) Aim to solve big problems
Now is undoubtedly a challenging time for businesses. Many have been hit hard by fluctuating consumer demand, an increased cost of doing business and difficulty in locating and accessing funding. So, how do the WIRED Trailblazer businesses continue to thrive?
There’s no single answer. These businesses and their entrepreneurial leaders are moving fast, innovating rapidly and relying on well-honed instincts. They all have different stories: many have scaled up rapidly, while some have grown consistently over many decades by staying at the forefront of change. Yet, they do share commonalities. One of which is an imaginative approach to new technology, whether that’s deploying AI and machine learning or advanced manufacturing and robotics.
The 2022 WIRED Trailblazers also share several other defining traits that have driven their success. So, what can you learn from these inspiring businesses?
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VISIT THE WIRED TRAILBLAZERS KNOWLEDGE HUB
The Power Of The ‘Forgotten Middle’
What Makes A Trailblazer?
Five Ways To Think Like A WIRED Trailblazer
Trailblazing businesses are led by can-do founders who have identified a real-world problem and set out ambitious business plans to address it. Space Forge, for example, is harnessing microgravity in space to build sustainable materials for Earth. Onto wants to rapidly accelerate electric car adoption through a subscription service. Carbon Clean has developed technology with the potential to capture over 90 percent of CO2 emitted by heavy industries.
Its approach to developing radical solutions sees it take a planned product and service-design approach. This requires assumptions to be questioned, horizons to be scanned and new possibilities pursued in order to build effective strategies for the future. This leads to new approaches that disrupt whole industries, and many would agree that in the current economic climate, these new ways of thinking are more important than ever.
Take Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS), an Edinburgh-based agritech innovator delivering vertical farming systems across the world. This method of growing crops in stacked layers not only optimises plant growth in terms of space and speed, but reduces water consumption by over 90 percent compared to traditional farming. The aim is to tackle global food shortages. For its CEO, David Farquhar, this requires a particular mindset. “Right now there is a lot of ‘black swan’ doom and gloom, from collapsing supply chains, increased energy costs and soaring inflation,” he says. “But I cannot run my business by worrying about macroeconomic events I cannot control. I have to find the white cygnets amongst the black swans.’’ His view is that finding the “white cygnets” depends upon critically scanning the horizon and intentionally designing alternative solutions to apparently insurmountable problems. He explains: ‘If you think about the de-globalisation of supply chains, that also implies re-localisation. We are turning the global nature of supply chains on its head. Your blueberries might currently come from Peru, but they can now be grown in Scotland or any of the four continents where we are currently building infrastructure for farmers.’’
2) Build a solid foundation on which to scale
The WIRED Trailblazers are moving fast and taking risks, but this does not come at the expense of maintaining a solid, well-run business that can act as the bedrock of their success. Paul Richardson, serial entrepreneur, is an investor in Energym – one of the Trailblazers – and a key advisor to West Midlands-based unicorn Gymshark, stresses the importance of this. He cites strong foundations as a critical driver of growth. From fit-for-purpose legals to solid accounting processes, and shareholder agreements to building trusted advisor networks. “I like to put in foundations first. Once you get those in, you can then scale. Going into Gymshark, I used my existing insurer, accountants, and lawyers. Having those relationships meant that we instantly had a rapport. We could get great service and support and we all trusted each other.’’
Trailblazer leaders recognise that a “too fast, too furious” approach can endanger future progress. To mitigate this risk, they invest time and resources in time-worn principles: they create strategies that closely fit the company vision and purpose; they carefully map and optimise cash flow; they build short and long-term resource plans; they test and invest in the right operating and management systems; and they ensure their boardrooms both challenge and empower them.
For Tania Boler, founder and CEO of Elvie, one of Europe’s most successful femtech companies, this has been a fundamental lesson. ‘‘There's always the analogy that you’ve got to be driving 100 miles an hour while changing all the parts inside your car. And yet, when I look at where we’ve derailed, and the mistakes we’ve made, it's when we’ve tried to go too fast, adding too much complexity. A big lesson for us was to invest in the foundations, from operations to finance. Sometimes that means you need to go slow to go fast.’’
3) Fail fast, learn faster
In the fast-paced environment of a Trailblazer business, where pushing boundaries and delivering “firsts” is the norm, trying, learning and failing fast is essential. Frances Howell, HSBC UK’s Head of Corporate Banking for the Midlands Region, agrees: ‘‘Innovation can be fraught with challenges, risks and difficulties. You don't always get it right, whether it be technological or process driven.’’
There are numerous areas where decisions often need to be revisited. Mistakes made with costly senior hires based on credentials rather than culture-fit, attempting to expand into new territory with limited in-market knowledge, choosing investors who do not align with the company’s core mission – all are common issues.
For TextHelp, learning from failure is baked into the business plan. The Northern Ireland technology company, which facilitates learning and communication through the use of digital education and accessibility tools, released its product for free in return for honest feedback on any perceived flaws. The outcome was a community of enthusiasts who have subsequently helped steer and support the company's direction of travel. As its founder and CEO Martin McKay explains: ‘‘Innovation is hugely important to our business, and we are all encouraged to fail fast and cheaply. We launched our student product on Google for free, but quickly learned that teachers are the key influencers and our product champions. Having 100,000 teachers give us feedback has really steered our roadmap. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve made a bunch of mistakes, but you accept it as a sunk cost, change your course and move on.’’ Having the resilience and flexibility to recover, learn from and grow beyond setbacks is just as important as having the ability to imagine and create something new in the first place. Having the resilience and flexibility to recover, learn from and grow beyond setbacks is just as important as having the ability to imagine and create something new in the first place.
4) Balance profit with purpose
Even in recent history, “doing good” and making a healthy profit were considered by some to be mutually exclusive goals, with shareholders plumping for profit over purpose. However, as the commercial world has woken up to the challenges facing society, and the opportunities for businesses who can help fix them, the dial has shifted. In HSBC UK’s view, companies that consider ESG factors may be better positioned for future success.
Indeed, it is no coincidence that the majority of the WIRED trailblazers are focused on both profit and purpose. Many have products and services that are underpinned by a strong social or environmental purpose, be that addressing the cost of living crisis, tackling health and wellness challenges or combating climate change. This in turn supports their scaling-up efforts, especially in attracting and retaining talent. As IGS’ Farquhar has found, “people choose to work at IGS not just because we offer great jobs and a great culture, but because they genuinely want to help us to fulfil our sense of purpose”.
But for these mission-driven companies, having a dual ambition, focused on economic and social returns, can be hard to manage, especially in an investor climate which ultimately favours financial returns. As Elvie’s Boler points out: ‘‘It can be very hard to have conversations about profit in a company which is so mission-driven. In the early days, when we talked about product innovation, we would map out the most neglected issues in women’s health. But not a lot of these would be commercially viable.’’ Although Elvie has $100 million revenue, Boler’s approach is not to choose between purpose or profit, but instead pragmatically work out how and when to serve them. “When you have a double bottom line, you need to have honest conversations about your priority stack.” In other words, social goals that aren’t achievable today can be prioritised once the company has reached its next level of growth and profitability.
5) Treat culture as a platform for growth
Trailblazing leaders view culture as both critical to their continued success and a competitive differentiator. The challenge is retaining and nurturing culture as they scale and expand both domestically and internationally. This was a challenge facing Peak, a Manchester-based AI company helping businesses harness the power of AI for decision making. As it looked to expand into the US earlier this year, Co-founder and CIO David Leitch offered secondments to team members from more established locations to help seed the culture in the newly opened New York office. This venture needed to be led by someone with ‘founder DNA’. In other words, someone with the passion, tenacity and sheer determination to build an equally committed team across the pond. That person would be its Chief People Officer – an early senior hire who had long-championed the importance of building a strong, communicative company culture which was overt about its core mission and values.
The importance of communication and continuously reinforcing a company’s principles is also emphasised by TextHelp’s McKay. “We’ve grown from a startup to an international EdTech company with five global offices and over 50 million users. One of the most important things I've learned is to get the people function right. You have to make sure that everyone is clear on the vision and where you plan to be in five years. If you get people aligned around a vision, they are much more likely to give you discretionary effort.’’
A key takeaway? As headcounts increase and the distance between the founding team and the majority of the workforce gets bigger, a culture won’t necessarily develop organically. Instead, organisations need to dedicate resources to immersing employees in its culture from the minute they join and throughout their time in the business.
Meet The Trailblazers Who Are Shaping Our Future
There has never been a more critical time to shine a light on those UK-based businesses that have set out to solve significant social, economic and environmental issues. ‘‘I joined HSBC UK over 30 years ago, and over that time I've seen many crises,” says HSBC UK’s Howell. “But right now, we're seeing fundamental changes in the way we live and relate to each other, coupled with an extremely challenging operating environment. Supporting businesses like these Trailblazers has a multiplier effect – not only can they provide solutions to these challenges, but in doing so they create jobs and support local economies.’’
The WIRED Trailblazer programme, delivered by WIRED Consulting in partnership with HSBC UK, set out to move the dial by recognising these businesses, celebrating their success, and offering them better support – not only by helping them to navigate the scale-up journey but, critically, by connecting them to a phenomenal peer group, along with the wider HSBC UK network.
Aurora Energy Research | @AuroraER_Oxford
auroraer.com
A power market analytics company helping to achieve net-zero
CTS | @cloudsols
cts.co
A fast-growing tech firm transforming businesses through Google Cloud
Ripe Thinking | @RipeInsurance
ripethinking.co.uk
An InsurTech firm disrupting the future of insurance
Orka Technology Group | @orka_tech
orka.group
A leading WorkerTech firm providing solutions for hourly-paid workers
PHMG | @phmgfoundation
phmg.com
The world’s leading subscription-based audio branding platform
MAPD Group | @MAPDGroup
mapdgroup.com
Powering legal businesses focused on sustainability, balance and kindness
Me Litigation Funding | @ME Litigation Funding
mefunding.co.uk
A Fintech accelerating access to justice through litigation funding
Sorted | @SortedOfficial
sorted.com
A fast-growing software company transforming retail delivery experience
One+all | @Oneand_All
oneandall.co.uk
An employee-owned schoolwear manufacturer challenging business standards
Peak | @Peak_HQ
peak.ai
A platform putting AI at the heart of businesses
SmartKem | @SmartKemTRUFLEX
smartkem.com
A semiconductor supplier enabling the next generation of low-cost displays
Sourceful | @sourceful
sourceful.com
An end-to-end partner for more sustainable packaging
Aptus Ltd | @AptusUtilities
aptusutilities.co.uk
A multi-utility connections provider powering the construction industry
Kagool | @teamkagool
kagool.com
Data experts, delivering IT transformations globally
Lontra | @LontraUK
lontra.co.uk
An engineering firm disrupting manufacturing processes through tech
Metrasens | @metrasens
metrasens.com
A world leader in advanced magnetic detection technologies
Aceleron Energy | @aceleronenergy
aceleronenergy.com
A pioneer in developing sustainable lithium-ion batteries
QuestGates | @QuestGates
questgates.co.uk
A trailblazer in the claims handling industry
Voxpopme | @voxpopme
voxpopme.com
A pioneer in video analytics for research
Onto | @DriveOnto
on.to
A leading subscription service platform for electric cars
CrowdProperty | @CrowdPropertyUK
crowdproperty.com
A game-changer in property development finance
Clearabee | @clearabee
clearabee.co.uk
A waste management company driving sustainability across the sector
Littlefish | @littlefishuk
littlefish.co.uk
A disrupter in the IT managed services market
Petalite | @petalite
petalite.co.uk
An electric vehicle charging company reinventing the industry
Energym | @energym.io
energym.io
A smart-tech fitness business converting human energy into power
Nourished | @get_nourished
get-nourished.com
A world-leading personalised nutrition company using 3D printing technology
Fortress Safety | @fortress-interlocks-uk-ltd
fortress-safety.com
A global business manufacturing industrial automation safety equipment
Grainger and Worrall | @GraingerWorrall
gwcast.com
A manufacturing business powering the future of transportation
Precision Resourcing Group @precision_resource_group precisionresourcegroup.co.uk
A group of specialist firms providing bespoke staffing solutions
Bladeroom Group Ltd | @BladeRoom
bladeroom.com
A pioneering company delivering mission-critical modular facilities
Huboo | @huboofulfilment
huboo.com
A West Country firm disrupting the future of eCommerce delivery
Finisterre | @finisterre
finisterre.com
A Cornish B-Corp creating high-quality sustainable outdoor gear
Space Forge | @Space_Forge
spaceforge.com
A manufacturing company harnessing the power of space
Immersive Labs | @immersivelabs
immersivelabs.com
A leader in delivering cyber skills and guarding against threats
Truespeed | @theTRUESPEED
truespeed.com
A broadband provider levelling up the South West's connectivity
Aardman | @aardman
aardman.com
A world-renowned and much-loved animation studio
RipJar | @ripjar
ripjar.com
A software company tackling financial and cyber crime with AI
Ecologi | @Ecologi_hq
ecologi.com
An innovative platform helping to fund climate action projects
Ultraleap | @ultraleap
ultraleap.com
The world leader in interface technologies
Rovco | @RovcoSubsea
rovco.com
A subsea tech company revolutionising the offshore wind sector
Netomnia | @netomnia
netomnia.com
Accelerating the UK’s transition to fibre
XMOS | @XMOS
xmos.ai
An AI company developing enhanced computation for smart products
Appsbroker | @Appsbroker
appsbroker.com
The Swindon-based software services provider expanding across Europe
Limbs & Things | @LimbsandThings1
limbsandthings.com
A leading healthcare simulation manufacturer improving patient outcomes
Snappy Group | @SnappyShopperUK
snappyshopper.co.uk
An on-demand grocery provider taking on dark stores
Intelligent Growth Solutions | @IntelligentGS
intelligentgrowthsolutions.com
A global agritech innovator delivering more sustainable food systems
Zonal | @ZonalUK
zonal.co.uk
A family-owned business powering UK hospitality with cutting-edge tech
Rooser | @rooser
rooser.eu
A smart trading platform helping to eliminate seafood waste
pureLiFi | @pureLiFi
purelifi.com
A leader in enabling communication of data through light
Sunamp | @SunampLtd
sunamp.com
A thermal storage technology company making the world more sustainable
Orbital Marine Power | @Orbitalmarine
orbitalmarine.com
A pioneering clean energy company harnessing energy from the tides
Cullen Eco-Friendly Packaging
@CullenPackaging
cullen.co.uk
Europe's largest combined corrugate and moulded fibre packaging manufacturer
Axis Studios | @axisstudiosgrp
axisstudiosgroup.com
An award-winning animation studio combining art with tech
ENOUGH (trading as 3f Bio) @enough_abunda
enough-food.com
A leader in developing sustainable protein meeting future food needs
Quorum Cyber | @quorumcyber
quorumcyber.com
A cyber company protecting organisations from rapidly evolving cyber-attacks
M Squared Lasers | @M2Lasers
m2lasers.com
A laser tech company helping to enable new scientific breakthroughs
Skyrora | @Skyrora_Ltd
skyrora.com
A British rocket company leading the UK space sector
Core Asset Consulting | @CoreAssetUK
core-asset.co.uk
A female-led recruitment firm enabling Scotland’s finance sector to thrive
Inoapps | @inoapps
inoapps.com
A global Oracle expert delivering change through cloud computing
London & The South East
The North West
The West Midlands
The South West
Scotland
So Who Are The 2022
WIRED Trailblazers?
We are thrilled to introduce our selected Trailblazers. And while we have only given this title to 75 businesses, we have no doubt that there are many more to be found across every region of the UK.
Love Energy Savings | @LoveEnergyUK
loveenergysavings.com
A utilities marketplace helping people save money on their bills
Why Is Manchester The UK's Top Regional 'Tech City'?
Manchester has reclaimed its historical status as a cradle of innovation, and it’s not all down to investment…
Why Is The West Midlands Producing So Many Successful Scaleups?
From strong business networks to an enviable location, the West Midland’s entrepreneurial scene has plenty going for it – but is its secret ingredient a certain state of mind?
How The UK’s South West Became A ‘Deep Tech’ Powerhouse
The region is called ‘Silicon Gorge’ for good reason – and that reputation didn’t emerge by chance…
Why The Scottish Scale-up Scene Is Booming
The business environment north of the border has more in common with Silicon Valley than you might think…
Why Has London Become The UK’s ‘Tech for Good’ Capital?
The UK’s financial engine room shows it’s possible to succeed commercially while being a force for good.
How to think like a WIRED Trailblazer
Learn from the scale-ups, turning the UK into a global hub of innovation.
Why The Scottish Scale-Up Scene is Booming
The business environment north of the border has more in common with Silicon Valley than you might think…
Why is Manchester The UK's Top Regional 'Tech City'?
Manchester has reclaimed its historical status as a cradle of innovation, and it’s not all down to investment…
How The UK’s South West Became A ‘Deep Tech’ Powerhouse
The region is called ‘Silicon Gorge’ for good reason – and that reputation didn’t emerge by chance…
Why is The West Midlands Producing So Many Successful Scaleups?
From strong business networks to an enviable location, the West Midland’s entrepreneurial scene has plenty going for it – but is its secret ingredient a certain state of mind?
Why Has London Become The UK’s ‘Tech for Good’ Capital?
The UK’s financial engine room shows it’s possible to succeed commercially while being a force for good.
Read More
The North West
The North West
The West Midlands
The West Midlands
The South West
The South West
Scotland
Scotland
London & The South East
London & The South East
Lyst
@Lyst
lyst.co.uk
Lyst is a fashion platform and premium shopping app, offering its members access to the world’s largest selection of iconic fashion brands. Through leveraging a digital-first approach, the company has grown year-on-year. The quarterly 'Lyst Index' is considered an industry-leading report on the brands, trends and practices which will shape the future of fashion.
Navenio
@navenioltd
navenio.com
Navenio’s AI-led indoor location-based solutions help transform and improve workforce efficiency in any type of building and any sector. They have had a dramatic effect on efficiency in UK hospitals resulting in reducing the backlog, better care and improved patient outcomes and are now poised to revolutionise healthcare efficiency worldwide.
Numan
@getnuman
numan.com
Numan is tackling the gender gap in healthcare-seeking behaviours in men. Through its full-stack health platform, it has successfully merged health tech, data analytics, and virtual spaces to raise awareness of men's health issues. In 2021, it achieved Europe's largest raise in the men’s health space.
OLIO
@OLIO_ex
olioex.com
OLIO is the world’s only neighbour-to-neighbour food-sharing app. It connects people with their local community and volunteers with businesses, so surplus food can be given away, not thrown away. So far 66 million portions of food have been shared across 62 countries, by almost 7 million users and 100,000 volunteers
@paddleHQ
paddle.com
Paddle
Paddle has disrupted the payments infrastructure market by removing the obstacles that increase costs and restrict growth for software businesses. Paddle's ‘do it for you’ approach helps SaaS companies scale faster by taking care of everything from localised payments to tax compliance. Its extraordinary growth has seen them become one of the UK's latest unicorns.
Tractable
@tractable_ai
tractable.ai
Tractable is a leader in the use of AI to assess, repair and protect cars and homes. As the world's 'first computer vision unicorn', it is on a mission to improve efficiency, add value, and radically reduce waste across the entire repairs and claims ecosystem.
Zencargo
@zencargo
zencargo.com
Zencargo is a digital-first freight forwarder and logistics provider that uses analytics to drive intelligent supply chain decisions that help businesses to thrive. Despite ongoing disruptions to global supply chains, it has continued to grow and expand internationally at an extraordinary rate.
ZOE
@join_zoe
joinzoe.com
ZOE is at the cutting-edge of personalised nutrition. Founded by Epidemiologists and AI app developers, it enables users to understand their unique biological responses to food. In 2020, it used its existing technology to create the ZOE COVID Study - one of the world's largest COVID-19 studies
Huma
@HumaForHealth
huma.com
Huma is Europe's fastest-growing healthcare company dedicated to digital-first care and research. Operating across 4 continents and supporting over 27 million patients, it has developed a highly flexible, regulated Software As a Medical Device platform that enables remote patient monitoring, decentralised clinical trials and companion applications for therapeutics and medical devices.
Improbable
@Improbableio
improbable.io
Improbable is a British metaverse technology company that has been at the forefront of building virtual worlds for over a decade, for gaming and entertainment companies or public institutions. We believe that the metaverse is an opportunity for communities to connect and exchange at a larger scale, and can have a positive social, economic and political impact in the real world.
Elvie
@elvie
elvie.com
Elvie is pioneering smarter technology for women by focusing on solutions for every stage of life. Its pelvic floor and award-winning breast pump products have proved game-changers - catalysing their growth across ten new markets and securing its position as a leader in the fast-growing femtech sector.
Faculty AI
@faculty_ai
faculty.ai
Faculty AI is one of the UK's fastest-growing tech companies. It works with over 250 companies globally, and builds and deploys safe AI systems that combine the best of human and artificial intelligence. It helps organisations turn data into deeper insights, better strategies and smarter decisions.
Carbon Clean
@carbonsolu
carbonclean.com
Carbon Clean is a global leader in point source carbon capture solutions for hard-to-abate industries. With its ground-breaking fully modular technology, the company is aiming to deliver global industrialisation on a gigatonne scale. As of October 2022, it has removed over 1.7 million metric tonnes of carbon from 49 plants across the globe.
Cera
@cera.care.official
ceracare.co.uk
Cera is Europe’s leading digital-first home healthcare provider and one of its fastest-growing companies, having grown 100-fold in under three years. To date, Cera has raised $400m in investment to empower patients to live longer, better lives at home. Cera employs almost 10,000 staff, visiting 40,000 at-home patients per day.
Blis
@blisglobal
blis.com
Blis is the audience-first platform that doesn't rely on personal data. The integrated planning and buying platform delivers scaled, relevant and high-performing audiences, helping brands and agencies achieve their goals. With over 40 offices globally, Blis recently received investment from LDC to double its headcount in the next few years.
Blis
@blisglobal
blis.com
An ad-tech company enabling a privacy-first advertising industry
Carbon Clean
@carbonsolu
carbonclean.com
A leading provider of cost-effective carbon capture solutions for heavy industry
Cera
@cera_care
ceracare.co.uk
A care platform transforming healthcare at home
Elvie
@elvie
elvie.com
A femtech company positively disrupting women’s health
Faculty AI
@faculty_ai
faculty.ai
Artificial Intelligence company helping to solve the world's biggest problems
Huma
@HumaForHealth
huma.com
A healthtech company pioneering digital-first care and research
Improbable
@Improbableio
improbable.io
A pioneer in building and connecting virtual worlds
Lyst
@Lyst
lyst.co.uk
A shopping app trusted by over 200 million fashion fans
Navenio
@navenioltd
navenio.com
A software company poised to revolutionise workplace efficiency
Numan
@getnuman
numan.com
A health app tackling stigma in men's health
OLIO
@OLIO_ex
olioex.com
A revolutionary app reducing food waste globally
Paddle
@paddleHQ
paddle.com
A tech unicorn helping thousands of software businesses to scale
Tractable
@tractable_ai
tractable.ai
A leader in using AI for accident and disaster recovery
ZOE
@join_zoe
joinzoe.com
A personalised nutrition company disrupting the nutrition industry
Zencargo
@zencargo
zencargo.com
A digital-first logistics provider building resilient supply chains
Aptus Ltd
@AptusUtilities
aptusutilities.co.uk
A multi-utility connections provider powering the construction industry
CTS
@cloudsols
cts.co
A fast-growing tech firm transforming businesses through Google Cloud
Love Energy Savings
@LoveEnergyUK
loveenergysavings.com
A utilities marketplace helping people save money on their bills
MAPD Group
@MAPDGroup
mapdgroup.com
Powering legal businesses focused on sustainability, balance and kindness
Me Litigation Funding
@ME Litigation Funding
mefunding.co.uk
A Fintech accelerating access to justice through litigation funding
One+all
@Oneand_All
oneandall.co.uk
An employee-owned schoolwear manufacturer challenging business standards
Orka Technology Group
@orka_tech
orka.group
A leading WorkerTech firm providing solutions for hourly-paid workers
Peak
@Peak_HQ
peak.ai
A platform putting AI at the heart of businesses
PHMG
@phmgfoundation
phmg.com
The world’s leading subscription-based audio branding platform
Ripe Thinking
@RipeInsurance
ripethinking.co.uk
An InsurTech firm disrupting the future of insurance
SmartKem
@SmartKemTRUFLEX
smartkem.com
A semiconductor supplier enabling the next generation of low-cost displays
Sorted
@SortedOfficial
sorted.com
A fast-growing software company transforming retail delivery experience
Sourceful
@sourceful
sourceful.com
An end-to-end partner for more sustainable packaging
Aceleron Energy
@aceleronenergy
aceleronenergy.com
A pioneer in developing sustainable lithium-ion batteries
Clearabee
@clearabee
clearabee.co.uk
A waste management company driving sustainability across the sector
CrowdProperty
@CrowdPropertyUK
crowdproperty.com
A game-changer in property development finance
Energym
@energym.io
energym.io
A smart-tech fitness business converting human energy into power
Fortress Safety
@fortress-interlocks-uk-ltd
fortress-safety.com
A global business manufacturing industrial automation safety equipment
Grainger and Worrall
@GraingerWorrall
gwcast.com
A manufacturing business powering the future of transportation
Kagool
@teamkagool
kagool.com
Data experts, delivering IT transformations globally
Littlefish
@littlefishuk
littlefish.co.uk
A disrupter in the IT managed services market
Lontra
@LontraUK
lontra.co.uk
An engineering firm disrupting manufacturing processes through tech
Metrasens
@metrasens
metrasens.com
A world leader in advanced magnetic detection technologies
Nourished
@get_nourished
get-nourished.com
A world-leading personalised nutrition company using 3D printing technology
Onto
@DriveOnto
on.to
A leading subscription service platform for electric cars
Petalite
@petalite
petalite.co.uk
An electric vehicle charging company reinventing the industry
QuestGates
@QuestGates
questgates.co.uk
A trailblazer in the claims handling industry
Voxpopme
@voxpopme
voxpopme.com
A pioneer in video analytics for research
Appsbroker
@Appsbroker
appsbroker.com
The Swindon-based software services provider expanding across Europe
BladeRoom Group Ltd
@BladeRoom
bladeroom.com
A pioneering company delivering mission-critical modular facilities
Ecologi
@Ecologi_hq
ecologi.com
An innovative platform helping to fund climate action projects
Finisterre
@finisterre
finisterre.com
A Cornish B-Corp creating high-quality sustainable outdoor gear
Huboo
@huboofulfilment
huboo.com
A West Country firm disrupting the future of eCommerce delivery
Immersive Labs
@immersivelabs
immersivelabs.com
A leader in delivering cyber skills and guarding against threats
Limbs & Things
@LimbsandThings1
limbsandthings.com
A leading healthcare simulation manu-
facturer improving patient outcomes
Netomnia
@netomnia
netomnia.com
Accelerating the UK’s transition to fibre
Ultraleap
@ultraleap
ultraleap.com
The world leader in interface technologies
Precision Resourcing Group
@precision_resource_group precisionresourcegroup.co.uk
A group of specialist firms providing bespoke staffing solutions
RipJar
@ripjar
ripjar.com
A software company tackling financial and cyber crime with AI
XMOS
@XMOS
xmos.ai
An AI company developing enhanced computation for smart products
Rovco
@RovcoSubsea
rovco.com
A subsea tech company revolutionising the offshore wind sector
Space Forge
@Space_Forge
spaceforge.com
A manufacturing company harnessing the power of space
Truespeed
@theTRUESPEED
truespeed.com
A broadband provider levelling up the South West's connectivity
Core Asset Consulting
@CoreAssetUK
core-asset.co.uk
A female-led recruitment firm enabling Scotland’s finance sector to thrive
Cullen Eco-Friendly Packaging
@CullenPackaging
cullen.co.uk
Europe's largest combined corrugate and moulded fibre packaging manufacturer
ENOUGH (trading as 3f Bio)
@enough_abunda
enough-food.com
A leader in developing sustainable protein meeting future food needs
Inoapps
@inoapps
inoapps.com
A global Oracle expert delivering change through cloud computing
Intelligent Growth Solutions
@IntelligentGS
intelligentgrowthsolutions.com
A global agritech innovator delivering more sustainable food systems
M Squared Lasers
@M2Lasers
m2lasers.com
A laser tech company helping to enable new scientific breakthroughs
Orbital Marine Power
@Orbitalmarine
orbitalmarine.com
A pioneering clean energy company harnessing energy from the tides
pureLiFi
@pureLiFi
purelifi.com
A leader in enabling communication of data through light
Quorum Cyber
@quorumcyber
quorumcyber.com
A cyber company protecting organisations from rapidly evolving cyber-attacks
Rooser
@rooser
rooser.eu
A smart trading platform helping to eliminate seafood waste
Sunamp
@SunampLtd
sunamp.com
A thermal storage technology company making the world more sustainable
Skyrora
@Skyrora_Ltd
skyrora.com
A British rocket company leading the UK space sector
Zonal
@ZonalUK
zonal.co.uk
A family-owned business powering UK hospitality with cutting-edge tech
DISCUSS YOUR BUSINESS AMBITIONS WITH HSBC UK
VISIT WIRED CONSULTING
The North West
The West Midlands
The South West
Scotland
Northern Ireland
London & The South East
London & The South East
The North West
The West Midlands
The South West
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Click on the map to learn more about some of the Trailblazing businesses in each region.
For the full list, scroll down.
Meet Some Of The UK's Outstanding Trailblazers
Elvie
Elvie is a London-based technology company empowering women through technology. With solutions for every stage of a woman’s life, it's on a mission to tackle taboos in women’s health, from breastfeeding to pelvic floor training. Its products have proved game-changers - catalysing its growth across ten new markets, rapid sales growth in the US and securing its leading position in the fast-growing femtech sector. These include the Elvie Trainer award-winning wearable electric breast pump, Elvie Pump, Elvie Curve, and Elvie Catch, as well as new addition to the breastfeeding range, Elvie Stride. In 2021, its investment had reached £70m, helping the company to become a platform for women’s health needs globally.
For the full list, scroll down.
elvie.com
@elvie
London & The South East
Carbon Clean
Carbon Clean is a global point source carbon capture solutions company that is focused on hard-to-abate industries such as cement, steel, refineries and energy from waste. With its ground-breaking fully modular technology, the company is aiming to become the world’s leading provider of carbon capture solutions for heavy industry, which accounts for around 30% of global emissions. As of October 2022, it has removed over 1.7 million metric tonnes of carbon from 49 plants across the globe. Earlier this year, Carbon Clean raised a record $150m Series C funding, the largest ever for a point source carbon capture company, and it is now rapidly building capacity to deliver the scale and pace of carbon capture deployment that is necessary to deliver global net-zero targets.
For the full list, scroll down.
carbonclean.com
@carbonsolu
London & The South East
Onto
Onto is helping thousands make the switch to electric vehicles. In 2018, its co-founders Rob Jolly and Dannan O’Meachair created a solution to the challenge of converting people to drive electric. For a flat monthly fee, its customers can subscribe to their all-inclusive service to get the latest electric cars with insurance, servicing, breakdown cover, and free public charging. It has seen impressive growth - with more than 6,000 active subscribers, 160 employees, and annual growth of over 550%. Having just secured $60m in funding, it is now considered Europe’s largest electric car subscription service.
For the full list, scroll down.
on.to
@DriveOnto
The West Midlands
Immersive Labs
Immersive Labs is the leader in people-centric cyber resilience and an inspiring example of cybersecurity innovation. Founded in 2017 by former GCHQ trainer James Hadley, it provides realistic simulations and hands-on cybersecurity labs that help organisations continuously assess, build, and prove their cyber resilience. Its core product evaluates individual and team capabilities and decision-making against the latest threats and allows organisations to measure their cyber readiness compared to industry benchmarks, building team capabilities and demonstrating risk reduction and compliance with data-backed evidence. Working with over 100 global organisations including UK National Health Service and Pfizer, it now has over 300 staff, with joint operations HQs in Bristol and Boston.
For the full list, scroll down.
immersivelabs.com
@immersivelabs
The South West
Space Forge
Wales-based Space Forge is on a mission to lead the clean industrial revolution by harnessing the power of space. Its ForgeStar™ platform is designed for a range of experiments and manufacturing processes to create materials off-Earth that when used back on our planet can significantly improve our quality of life, reduce our burden on the environment and unlock new markets. It is a pioneering example of a company leading the push towards a space-based economy, by allowing industries around the world to leverage the benefits of microgravity.
For the full list, scroll down.
spaceforge.com
@Space_Forge
The South West
Intelligent Growth Solutions
IGS is a multi-award-winning global agritech innovator delivering vertical farming technology to farmers and growers across the world. It blends engineering, crop science and agronomy to build the best infrastructure to allow its customers to grow nutritious, sustainable, safe food - as well as trees and flowers - profitably. Since being founded in 2013 by a farmer and an engineer, it has grown to a team of nearly 200, received 22 patents, and expanded into North America, Asia Pacific and Europe. At the heart of the business is a commitment to build a more sustainable future for agriculture from radically reducing water usage in its farming practices, to supporting the next generation through accessing work opportunities.
For the full list, scroll down.
intelligentgrowthsolutions.com
@IntelligentGS
Scotland
Sourceful
Sourceful is making global supply chains more sustainable. As leaders in the fast-growing GreenTech industry, its data-driven platform helps businesses accurately identify and slash the carbon footprint in their packaging and across the supply chain. Founded in 2020 by Wing Chan and Sharon Chan, it was created to re-imagine the relationship between supply chain, business growth and our planet’s wellbeing. Since then it has grown fivefold, received a large investment from the backers of Just Eat and Deliveroo, and now has over 100 suppliers on its platform. Its executive team comprises over 50% women and 85% from under-represented minority backgrounds.
For the full list, scroll down.
sourceful.com
@sourceful
The North West
TextHelp
Texthelp is on a mission to help everyone to understand and be understood. For 20 years it has created technologies that help people read, write and research with confidence. It was founded by Martin McKay after seeing his father struggling to communicate following a severe stroke. At that time, there wasn’t much in the way of assistive technology, so Martin decided to create his own. Working alongside technology partners like Google and Microsoft, its products have changed the lives of millions. With over 5 global offices and 50+ million users, it is well on its way to achieving its vision of advancing the literacy of 1 billion people by 2030.
texthelp.com
@texthelpers
The North West
TextHelp
Texthelp is on a mission to help everyone to understand and be understood. For 20 years it has created technologies that help people read, write and research with confidence. It was founded by Martin McKay after seeing his father struggling to communicate following a severe stroke. At that time, there wasn’t much in the way of assistive technology, so Martin decided to create his own. Working alongside technology partners like Google and Microsoft, its products have changed the lives of millions. With over 5 global offices and 50+ million users, it is well on its way to achieving its vision of advancing the literacy of 1 billion people by 2030.
For the full list, scroll down.
texthelp.com
@texthelp
Northern Ireland
Aardman
@aardman
aardman.com
A world-renowned and much-loved animation studio
Axis Studios
@axisstudiosgrp
axisstudiosgroup.com
An award-winning animation studio combining art with tech
Aurora Energy Research
@AuroraER_Oxford
auroraer.com
A power market analytics company helping to achieve net-zero
The North West
The North West
The West Midlands
The West Midlands
The South West
The South West
Scotland
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
London & The South East
London & The South East
Meet Some Of The UK's Outstanding Trailblazers
Tap on the buttons or map to learn more about some of the Trailblazing businesses in each region.
For the full list, scroll down.
TextHelp
Texthelp is on a mission to help everyone to understand and be understood. For 20 years it has created technologies that help people read, write and research with confidence. It was founded by Martin McKay after seeing his father struggling to communicate following a severe stroke. At that time, there wasn’t much in the way of assistive technology, so Martin decided to create his own. Working alongside technology partners like Google and Microsoft, its products have changed the lives of millions. With over 5 global offices and 50+ million users, it is well on its way to achieving its vision of advancing the literacy of 1 billion people by 2030.
For the full list, scroll down.
texthelp.com
@texthelp
Northern Ireland
Immersive Labs
Immersive Labs is the leader in people-centric cyber resilience and an inspiring example of cybersecurity innovation. Founded in 2017 by former GCHQ trainer James Hadley, it provides realistic simulations and hands-on cybersecurity labs that help organisations continuously assess, build, and prove their cyber resilience. Its core product evaluates individual and team capabilities and decision-making against the latest threats and allows organisations to measure their cyber readiness compared to industry benchmarks, building team capabilities and demonstrating risk reduction and compliance with data-backed evidence. Working with over 100 global organisations including UK National Health Service and Pfizer, it now has over 300 staff, with joint operations HQs in Bristol and Boston.
For the full list, scroll down.
immersivelabs.com
@immersivelabs
The South West
Space Forge
Wales-based Space Forge is on a mission to lead the clean industrial revolution by harnessing the power of space. Its ForgeStar™ platform is designed for a range of experiments and manufacturing processes to create materials off-Earth that when used back on our planet can significantly improve our quality of life, reduce our burden on the environment and unlock new markets. It is a pioneering example of a company leading the push towards a space-based economy, by allowing industries around the world to leverage the benefits of microgravity.
For the full list, scroll down.
spaceforge.com
@Space_Forge
The South West
Elvie
Elvie is a London-based technology company empowering women through technology. With solutions for every stage of a woman’s life, it's on a mission to tackle taboos in women’s health, from breastfeeding to pelvic floor training. Its products have proved game-changers - catalysing its growth across ten new markets, rapid sales growth in the US and securing its leading position in the fast-growing femtech sector. These include the Elvie Trainer award-winning wearable electric breast pump, Elvie Pump, Elvie Curve, and Elvie Catch, as well as new addition to the breastfeeding range, Elvie Stride. In 2021, its investment had reached £70m, helping the company to become a platform for women’s health needs globally.
For the full list, scroll down.
elvie.com
@elvie
London & The South East
Carbon Clean
Carbon Clean is a global point source carbon capture solutions company that is focused on hard-to-abate industries such as cement, steel, refineries and energy from waste. With its ground-breaking fully modular technology, the company is aiming to become the world’s leading provider of carbon capture solutions for heavy industry, which accounts for around 30% of global emissions. As of October 2022, it has removed over 1.7 million metric tonnes of carbon from 49 plants across the globe. Earlier this year, Carbon Clean raised a record $150m Series C funding, the largest ever for a point source carbon capture company, and it is now rapidly building capacity to deliver the scale and pace of carbon capture deployment that is necessary to deliver global net-zero targets.
For the full list, scroll down.
carbonclean.com
@carbonsolu
London & The South East
Onto
Onto is helping thousands make the switch to electric vehicles. In 2018, its co-founders Rob Jolly and Dannan O’Meachair created a solution to the challenge of converting people to drive electric. For a flat monthly fee, its customers can subscribe to their all-inclusive service to get the latest electric cars with insurance, servicing, breakdown cover, and free public charging. It has seen impressive growth - with more than 6,000 active subscribers, 160 employees, and annual growth of over 550%. In 2022, it secured $60m in funding, resulting in it becoming Europe’s largest electric car subscription service.
For the full list, scroll down.
on.to
@DriveOnto
The West Midlands
Sourceful
Sourceful is making global supply chains more sustainable. As leaders in the fast-growing GreenTech industry, its data-driven platform helps businesses accurately identify and slash the carbon footprint in their packaging and across the supply chain. Founded in 2020 by Wing Chan and Sharon Chan, it was created to re-imagine the relationship between supply chain, business growth and our planet’s wellbeing. Since then it has grown fivefold, received a large investment from the backers of Just Eat and Deliveroo, and now has over 100 suppliers on its platform. Its executive team comprises over 50% women and 85% from under-represented minority backgrounds.
For the full list, scroll down.
sourceful.com
@sourceful
The North West
Intelligent Growth Solutions
IGS is a multi-award-winning global agritech innovator delivering vertical farming technology to farmers and growers across the world. It blends engineering, crop science and agronomy to build the best infrastructure to allow its customers to grow nutritious, sustainable, safe food - as well as trees and flowers - profitably. Since being founded in 2013 by a farmer and an engineer, it has grown to a team of nearly 200, received 22 patents, and expanded into North America, Asia Pacific and Europe. At the heart of the business is a commitment to build a more sustainable future for agriculture from radically reducing water usage in its farming practices, to supporting the next generation through accessing work opportunities.
For the full list, scroll down.
intelligentgrowthsolutions.com
@IntelligentGS
Scotland
