Tech City UK Names Unruly In Second Wave Of High Potential Growth-Stage Companies To Join Future Fifty Fast-Track

Disclosure: Original release distributed by the Future Fifty 

LONDON, Friday 6 December 2013: Tech City UK has named the second wave of 25 companies to join the Future Fifty programme which matches high potential growth-stage businesses with bespoke public and private sector support to fast-track their growth, create jobs and deliver significant economic impact to the UK.

Among the second instalment are innovative technology businesses transforming sectors ranging from ecommerce to medicine and media, including household brands such asPhotoBox, Matches Fashion and Chemist Direct. Following another round of judging by a 17-strong independent advisory panel they now join the initial 25 companies on to the programme that were announced in October.

The announcement coincides with the publication of a new report which highlights the rapid growth of Tech City from a local initiative created three years ago to establishing itself as the digital capital of Europe[1]. Independently produced figures from the report highlight how London tech companies are contributing to economic growth, inward investment and high value jobs across the country.

The Future Fifty are leading a movement that is seeing increasing numbers of technology scale-ups primed to take advantage of recent innovations such as the High Growth Segment and the scrapping of stamp duty on AIM shares, making UK listings more attractive for growing tech businesses.

Joanna Shields, CEO of Tech City UK and Ambassador for Digital Industries said: “UK Government policies and programmes have already resulted in a record number of new technology companies being started. The companies on the Future Fifty programme prove that we have moved beyond a few digital start-ups to nurturing world-class high growth businesses across many sectors – all of which have one thing in common: they are digital at their core and they are powering ahead to generate long term sustainable growth and jobs in the UK.

“With this tremendous package of support from the public and private sector built around their individual needs, the programme aims to help them continue to scale rapidly and lay the foundations for their next major liquidity event.”

Xavier Rolet, Chief Executive of London Stock Exchange Group said: “I am delighted to support Tech City UK’s third anniversary today. The UK can proudly boast a number of innovative, high-growth companies that are helping to drive the economy forward, and the latest round of companies in Tech City UK’s Future Fifty are testament to this. Initiatives championed by LSEG, such as the inclusion of AIM shares in ISAs, are helping simplify access to capital markets, so that Future Fifty companies and others can continue to grow and provide jobs.”

The second group of high-growth companies to successfully join the Future Fifty programme are:

1.       ACHICA, a leading online members-only store for luxury lifestyle products at discounted prices.

2.       ao.com, the UK’s leading online retailer of major domestic appliances.

3.       Chemist Direct, the UK’s leading online healthcare business providing a wide range of health and beauty products and services.

4.       Datasift, the leading global social data platform enabling companies to aggregate, filter and extract valuable insights from multiple social media and other online sources which on Tuesday announced a $42m investment round led by Insight Venture Partners.

5.       eCommera, a leading provider of big data and commerce platforms enabling retailers to manage and optimise their multi-channel commerce activities.

6.       eToro, the global social investment network enabling users to see, follow and automatically copy the investments of other users in the network.

7.       Funding Circle, the world’s leading online marketplace directly connecting investors looking to lend to small businesses.

8.       Global Personals, a leading digital online gaming and dating company, including brands such as JustSingles.com, WhiteLabelDating.com and SmoochBingo.co.uk.

9.       Graze, revolutionising the healthy snacking industry by leveraging its online platform and proprietary technology.

10.   Masternaut, a leading provider of SaaS based vehicle tracking and workforce management solutions.

11.   MATCHESFASHION.COM, the unique omni-channel luxury fashion retailer servicing the global market with over 400 of the best international labels across womenswear and menswear.

12.   MedicAnimal, an online retailer of food, medicines and accessories for animals.

13.   MODE, an innovative finance company using technology to enable instant nano credits for pre-paid mobile users in emerging markets.

14.   MOO.COM, a leading provider of online platform and tools for businesses wanting to create high quality print products.

15.   MyOptique, a leading online retailer for prescription glasses (Glasses Direct), sunglasses (SunglassesShop) and contact lenses (LensOn), revolutionising Europe’s £20bn optical industry.

16.   Naked Wines, a customer-funded wine business which invests in independent winemakers from around the world, in return for exclusive wines at wholesale prices – which it passes back to its customers.

17.   Nomad Digital, the leading global provider of wireless solutions to the transportation sector.

18.   Notonthehighstreet.com, an online marketplace bringing together 4,000 creative small businesses offering more than 100,000 unique, original products to customers globally.

19.   PhotoBox, Europe’s leading digital consumer service for personalised products and gifts through its PhotoBox, Moonpig.com, StickyGram and PaperShaker brands.

20.   SecretSales.com, the UK’s most loved discounted designer brands online retailer.

21.   Shazam, the world’s leading media engagement company enabling over 400 million users in over 200 countries to discover, explore, buy, and share music, TV shows and branded content.

22.   Small World Financial Services, Europe’s largest and most trusted payments services provider offering a secure, fast and inexpensive way to send and receive money across the globe.

23.   SwiftKey, provider of award-winning keyboard app powering multiple smartphone and tablets through its world-class language prediction technology

24.   Unruly, a leading marketing technology platform which works with top global brands and their agencies, transforming branded videos into viral hits.

25.   WorldStores, the UK’s leading online home and garden retailer.

Sarah Wood, COO and co-founder of Unruly, said: “Having hosted the launch of the Future Fifty programme at Unruly HQ earlier on in the year, we’re absolutely delighted to be included in the Future Fifty. The range of available support is breath taking – from communications and brand building through corporate finance and visa support. It’s a great initiative for rapidly-growing companies within the Tech City community and the perfect platform to help us continue our expansion into key territories.”

Holly Tucker MBE, Co-founder and CEO of notonthehighstreet.com said:  “We’re delighted notonthehighstreet.com has been selected as one of the Future Fifty by Tech City UK. The business has seen phenomenal growth since its launch in 2006, doubling turnover year after year, and we look forward to maximising the future growth opportunities presented by being part of the Future Fifty programme.”

Kevin Cornils, CEO of MyOptique said: “We are very honoured to be included among this list of amazing companies in the Future Fifty. It’s also very exciting to see the Government, through its support of Tech City UK and technology businesses like ours, pitch in to help us grow so that we can better serve our customers and continue to create jobs here in the UK. This kind of support is going to be invaluable as the MyOptique Group look to revolutionise the optical retail market.”

The Future Fifty programme was launched in April to accelerate the success of high-growth tech businesses. It connects the dots on all the government has to offer. The UK government has some of the best and far-reaching support for entrepreneurs in the world; the programme provides a single point of contact across Government as well as range of private sector delivery partners, matching companies with publicly funded schemes and incentives relevant to their stage of growth and specific needs.

The first 25 companies to join the programme were announced in October. Of these, five have just returned from the Prime Minister’s trade mission to China.

For the full line up of Future Fifty companies visit www.FutureFifty.com.

For further information and to receive a copy of the Tech City report, contact the Tech City UK press team: 020 7367 6001 / pressoffice@techcityuk.com

Note to Editors:

About Tech City UK

Tech City UK supports the existing tech cluster in London by helping the businesses based there to scale and grow, bringing international companies and investors to Tech City and supporting companies based in London to expand overseas. We support entrepreneurs with practical advice and guidance on everything from location to contacts, talent development and mentoring.  We also help companies make international connections, with tailored advice and guidance on exports and through the links we have with UK Trade & Investment (and their 94 consulates and offices around the globe). The organisation also represents the views of the business and tech community to Government, feeding in to and helping shape national policy that promotes enterprise and growth.www.techcityuk.com

About the Future Fifty

The Future Fifty was launched in April by the Chancellor George Osborne and Joanna Shields, UK Ambassador for Digital Industries and CEO of Tech City UK. The programme connects high-growth companies with expertise and tailored support to enable them to scale rapidly and lay the foundations for their next major liquidity event.www.futurefifty.com