The annual list highlights 100 tech firms founded in the past decade that are growing at extraordinary rates. Over the past three years alone, these companies have created 11,600 new jobs, bringing their total workforce to over 23,100 employees. Most plan to continue hiring in 2026, adding an estimated 4,300 additional roles.
High-Paying and In-Demand Roles
Jobs at these firms are not just plentiful, they are highly paid. For example, PolyAI, a London-based AI voice agent specialist, offers entry-level software engineers salaries between £80,000 and £100,000, while Cycle Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge plans to hire for clinical drug development roles paying between £70,000 and £100,000. First-time job seekers can generally expect salaries of at least £40,000 across most companies on the list.
| Rank | Company name | Description | HQ location | Year end | Annual sales growth | Latest sales | In profit | Year founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abound | Lending fintech | London | Feb 2025 | 490.24% | £66.8m | Yes | 2020 |
| 2 | Vertice | AI procurement platform | London | Dec 2025 | 437.37% | £27.0m* | No | 2021 |
| 3 | Oxbury Bank | Banking fintech | Chester | Dec 2024 | 399.21% | £112.5m | Yes | 2018 |
| 4 | BondAval | Credit insurance | London | May 2025 | 334.47% | £11.4m* | No | 2020 |
| 5 | Lindus Health | Clinical trials platform | London | Dec 2025 | 265.74% | £8.2m* | No | 2021 |
| 6 | OneDome | Property platform | London | Dec 2025 | 246.58% | £20.0m* | Yes | 2016 |
| 7 | Hived | Tech-enabled courier | London | Jul 2025 | 221.97% | £8.2m* | No | 2021 |
| 8 | Carmoola | Digital car finance | London | Dec 2025 | 218.25% | £16.0m* | No | 2021 |
| 9 | LendingCrowd | Lending fintech | Edinburgh | Dec 2024 | 207.08% | £12.1m* | Yes | 2014 |
| 10 | Scan.com | Medical imaging services | London | Dec 2024 | 200.47% | £40.7m* | Yes | 201 |
The firms are operating in a period of hypergrowth, with average annual growth rates of 128 per cent, generating a combined revenue of £3.7 billion. Software companies, including those in financial and AI services, grew an average 151 per cent per year, while hardware and life sciences firms ranging from satellite makers to biotech companies achieved 105 per cent annual growth.
Geographic and Sector Highlights
More than half of the companies are headquartered in London, with others clustered in Cambridge, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. While only 16 companies are founded or led by women, the top-ranked firm, fintech Abound, co-founded by Michelle He, achieved 490 per cent annual growth and £66.8 million in revenue last year. Several university spinouts, including PQShield, originate from Oxford and Cambridge.
While 62 companies reported a loss, these were covered by patient investors. Over 90 companies secured external funding, raising £11.3 billion, with hardware firms raising roughly double the amount of software companies. Investors range from the UK government via its Covid-era Future Fund to global tech giants like Nvidia. Seven companies, including Synthesia, have valuations exceeding $1 billion.
Top-Ranked Companies
Top 5 software companies:
- Abound – Lending fintech, 490% growth, £66.8m revenue
- Vertice – AI procurement platform, 437% growth, $100m investment
- Oxbury Bank – Agricultural loans, 399% growth, £1.5bn lent
- BondAval – Credit insurance software, 334% growth
- Lindus Health – Clinical trials platform, 266% growth
Top 5 hardware and life sciences companies:
- Fuse Energy – Energy supplier, 484% growth, $5bn valuation
- E1 – Electric raceboat developer, 470% growth
- Netomnia – Fibre broadband provider, 353% growth, £1.6bn funding
- Magic AI – AI personal trainer, 342% growth
- Autifony Therapeutics – Nervous system disorder drugs, 200% growth
These companies demonstrate the potential of the UK’s tech ecosystem to create high-value jobs, attract investment, and drive innovation in sectors ranging from AI and fintech to life sciences and renewable energy.
