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High-growth companies selected for government Future Fifty programme

The first high-growth UK companies have been chosen for the government’s Future Fifty fast-track programme.

Published: 18 Oct 2013 7:55

The first high-growth UK companies have been chosen for the government’s Future Fifty fast-track programme.

The programme, launched in April by Tech City’s Joanna Shields and Chancellor George Osborne, aims to connect high-growth companies with experts to help them scale rapidly.

Companies will receive support from both public and private sectors to help them – and consequently, the economy  - grow through the creation of jobs. Research from Nesta says the minority of companies (6%), create 54% of all new, high-value jobs.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I am determined that we do everything we can to make Britain the best place to start, grow and do business. As well as backing the businesses of today, this Government is also backing the innovative, high-growth businesses of the future. The Future Fifty programme is action that will help these businesses to grow and achieve their potential, and help us to compete and thrive in the global race.”

The innovative technology companies were chosen by a panel of experts, investors, advisors and entrepeneurs.

The first 25 companies welcomed onto the year-long programme yesterday include Zoopla, Mind Candy, Huddle, and Neomobile.  

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The companies will be mentored by individuals from private and public sectors who will attempt to match them with publically funded schemes, while sharing expertise on accountancy, legal advice, PR, marketing, corporate governance and support for public listing.

Joanna Shields, CEO of Tech City UK, said: “The Future Fifty programme will help the most promising companies make the UK their home and solidify London as the world's digital capital – the most attractive destination for entrepreneurs, startups and their investors.”

Company reactions

David Buttress, CEO of Just-Eat said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this high-profile programme alongside other fantastic digital and technology businesses. Our inclusion is testament to the hard work and relentless passion for innovation across our teams in thirteen countries, as we continue to grow and empower consumers to love their takeaway experience.”

Alex Chesterman, Founder & CEO of Zoopla Property Group, said: "We have been one of the fastest-growing online businesses in the UK since 2008. We now own and operate some of the UK's leading online property brands including Zoopla, PrimeLocation and SmartNewHomes. Our focus is on continuing to develop our brands and grow our business in a sustainable way and The Future Fifty programme provides us with the ideal platform to help realise our ambitions and we’re delighted to be on board."

Michael Acton-Smith, CEO, Creative Director and founder of kids Entertainment Company Mind Candy said: "Mind Candy is delighted to be part of the Future Fifty and feel it's a great initiative for the rapidly growing Tech City community and around the rest of the UK."

First group of Future Fifty companies

Zoopla Property Group – Owns and operates leading online property brands including Zoopla.co.uk and Primelocation.com. Its websites attract over 40 million visits each month.

Skyscanner – The world’s fastest growing international travel search company.

Onefinestay – A service that helps city travellers stay in beautiful homes appointed with all the creature comforts of a hotel in London, Paris, New York and Los Angeles.

Omnifone – An independent business-to-business provider of global cloud-based digital music services.

Neomobile – A global Mobile Commerce Group providing mobile payment and advertising services.

Mind Candy – An entertainment business delivering experiences both online and offline including toys, books, magazines, music, trading cards and movies.

MADE.com – An online designer furniture retailer working with 40 world-wide established designers and collaborators to create exclusive designs.

Lyst – A personalised fashion marketplace that gives millions of people that personalised shopping experience every month.

Just Eat – A site that uses proprietary technology to offer an efficient online ordering service for the restaurant industry in 13 countries around the world.

HouseTrip – One of the largest holiday rental websites in the world, offering holidaymakers and holiday home owners a safe and easy-to-use platform to find, book and list holiday apartments, houses and villas.

Green Man Gaming – The fastest growing social commerce platform for core gamers, which combines an automated game-tracking community with a robust digital E-commerce platform.

Farfetch – An online fashion brand and shopping site that brings together a network of global partners including European and North American multi-brand designer boutique.

Box – A cloud-based data provider that makes businesses more competitive, productive, and powerful by connecting people with their most important information.

Acturis – An innovative, cloud-based Software as a Service platform transforming the commercial insurance industry.

Calastone Limited – An independent cross-border transaction network for the global funds industry.

Hailo – A free smartphone app that is revolutionising the way taxis are ‘hailed’, putting people just two taps away from licensed taxis at all times.

Horizon Discovery – A UK biotechnology company that combines a long scientific heritage in translational research with a world-leading gene-editing platform.

Huddle – A cloud content collaboration service used by government organisations and enterprises worldwide.

Lumimobile – Employs world-class patented technology to empower business insight and engagement through mobile devices.

Mimecast Services – Delivers cloud-based email management for Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Office 365, including archiving, continuity and security.

Repknight – The fastest open-source intelligence (OSINT) platform in the world, sold only to government security services and police forces.

Zopa – The UK’s leading peer-to-peer lender, matching smart borrowers looking for low rate loans with savers who want higher interest rates on their returns.

Secret Escapes – The UK’s largest flash sales site for luxury travel, saving members up to 70% on luxury hotels and holidays.

Skimlinks – Creates native monetisation solutions for publishers, rewarding them for any e-commerce they drive by turning product links and product references into easily tracked affiliate links.

Synthesio – A leader in global social media monitoring, helping brands and agencies listen to, understand and engage with consumers.

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