Now in its fifth year, Maserati announces the highly anticipated 2019 ‘Maserati 100’ index - celebrating entrepreneurial excellence in the UK.
The 2019 edition published in partnership with The Sunday Times, recognises innovation and the dedication of those entrepreneurs from growing start-ups to established businesses based across the nation.
The annual list celebrates a diverse number of entrepreneurs; of all different ages and from all around the United Kingdom. Over 60% are from outside of London, including locations such as Edinburgh, Manchester and Cardiff. The average age on the list is 42, with the youngest, Stephen Wilks from Seneca Learning, just 24 years old.
Three key sectors contributing to the 2019 list include, food & beverage, technology and healthcare. The index also features a number of companies who have invented some incredible products, including Jamie Cook, Henry Neilson and Georgie Smithwick of Hexo Helmets, who have created the world’s first custom 3D printed cycling helmet.
Mike Biscoe, General Manager, Maserati GB, said: “I’m delighted that the Maserati 100 has become an established platform to celebrate British entrepreneurialism. Each year we are impressed by the quality of entrepreneurs recognised, and it’s great to continue to see such a diverse mix of talented individuals who are all doing something incredible in their chosen fields of business. Maserati was born from the dedication and hard-work of entrepreneurs Alfieri Maserati and his brothers, so we feel it’s only right that we continue to honour and support entrepreneurs today who are shaping the very future we will live in.”
Sunday Times Business Editor, Oliver Shah, said: "We're proud once again to be able to shine a light on entrepreneurs who are making a difference to their communities and the customers they serve."
Other entrepreneurs included in this year’s prestigious index include:
- Silas Adekunle: Reach Robotics
Bristol-based Adekunle, 27, is developing gaming robots that “evolve” as they are played with, alongside an augmented reality platform. In 2017 he struck an exclusive distribution deal for Mekamon robots with Apple.
- Steven Mendel: Bought by Many
Actuary Mendel, 51, set up Bought by Many in 2012 to provide cheap and flexible insurance aimed at niche communities (for owners of anything from ferrets to Abyssinian cats in the pets sector). Today it employs 100 staff at Haywards Heath, West Sussex, London and Birmingham and enjoys sales of £50m.
- Vivi Friedgut: Blackbullion
Friedgut, 42, founded Blackbullion in London in 2011 with the aim of using technology to help students manage their finances better. The company has financial education partnerships with universities including King’s College London and Surrey University.
- Veejay Lingiah: Learning Labs
Lingiah, 45, set up the education technology developer in 2007. The Birmingham-based business has designed an app to help students who do not speak English as their first language to learn more effectively.
- Tamara Rajah: Live Better With
Former McKinsey healthcare consultant Rajah, 36, founded Live Better With in London in 2015. The online platform is a community for people suffering from conditions such as cancer where they can share their experiences and discuss small changes that have improved their day-to-day lives.
- Louise Doherty: PlanSnap
Doherty, 32, created an app to help people plan anything from brunch to karaoke quickly and easily after growing frustrated at having to use so many different methods to contact friends. Brewing giant AB InBev is both an investor and a customer.
- Lord Paul Drayson: Sensyne
Lord Drayson, 59, a former government minister who co-founded vaccine specialist PowderJect Pharmaceuticals, has now turned his attention to artificial intelligence (AI). He has established a new company, Sensyne, which uses AI to analyse large datasets of anonymised patient records, and then sells the findings to the big pharmaceutical companies to help then in their drug research.
To see the full 2019 Maserati 100 list click here.
