Matcha energy drink startup PerfectTed’s staggering growth spurt over the past two years has made it the fastest-growing founder-led startup in the UK.
The Dragon’s Den-backed brand has grown more than 25-fold over the past two years, posting a massive 532% two-year CAGR to achieve £8.2m in revenues last year.
Securing a fresh £1m in funding from Dragon’s Den star and podcaster Steven Bartlett in 2024, the fledgling brand topped For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs (FEBE)’s ranking, released today (18 June) in partnership with Virgin.
Eco-conscious brands were strongly represented in the list, with vegan and cruelty-free haircare brand Rehab taking second place for its 449% CAGR over the past two years, taking it to £8.1m, and direct to consumer eco cleaning product maker Pudy & Figg (ninth place) posting 236% growth to hit £40.3m.
Backed by TV personality Stacey Solomon in 2023, Rehab is stocked in Sainsbury’s, Harrods, Selfridges and Boots.
“It’s inspiring to see so many business founders shaking up industries, driving innovation in their field and, by embracing purposeful business principles right at their core, redefining what’s possible,” said Holly Branson, chief vision and purpose officer at Virgin.
It was “fantastic” that a third of the top 100 were led by women, she added. “I believe that the business founders of today, through innovation, passion and purpose, will develop solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems.”
Food and drink challengers in the list included high-protein meal subscription service Simmer Eats, which leapt from £1.6m turnover in 2023 to £36.1m by January 2025, the 2021-founded Bold Bean Co (192% CAGR, £6.8m), wellness supplement brand Ancient + Brave (295%, £19.9m) and CBD and natural remedy drinks specialist Trip (180%, £20.3m).
FEBE founder Charlotte Quince said: “The Growth 100 isn’t just a leaderboard – it’s a tribute to the founders pushing boundaries, taking risks, and building brilliant businesses against all odds.”
Alongside the Growth 100, FEBE also revealed its Watch List – “a hand-picked collection of exciting businesses that didn’t meet every Growth 100 criterion but are on impressive trajectories”. This year’s watch list includes Eleat, Hip Pop, Hunter & Gather, Flake Bake and ManiLife.
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