Meet the Young Founders Dominating Britain’s £82 Billion Business Scene
London has always been a playground for ambitious minds, but the latest Hurun UK Under40s 2024 list confirms it—this city is the epicenter of next-gen business success. With 110 young entrepreneurs leading companies worth a combined £82 billion, the future of British business looks ridiculously bright. These founders are not just making money; they’re creating over 60,500 jobs and reshaping industries, from fintech and fashion to AI and beyond.
If you thought innovation was slowing down, think again.
London: The Capital of Young Business Moguls
London doesn’t just lead the list—it dominates it. A whopping 79 out of the 110 entrepreneurs operate businesses based in the capital. That’s over 70% of the entire list, an even bigger share than Hurun’s previous Under 30 and Under 35 rankings. Whether it’s fintech disruptors, sportswear tycoons, or tech visionaries, London remains the ultimate launchpad for ambitious founders.
Big Names, Bigger Valuations
One name towers above the rest: Nick Storonsky, co-founder of Revolut, the digital money giant valued at $45 billion. Not far behind is Ben Francis, the Gymshark founder who built a global athleisure empire after dropping out of university. And yes, even Euan Blair—Tony Blair’s son—made the cut with his skills-training unicorn, Multiverse, worth nearly £1.4 billion.
Unicorns, Startups, and the UK’s Billion-Dollar Boom
If your business is worth $1 billion, you’ve officially entered unicorn territory. Among the 110 entrepreneurs, 44 have achieved unicorn status, proving that the UK is a goldmine for ambitious startups.
Some of the standout unicorns include:
- Cera, the patient care app saving the NHS £1 million a day
- Lendable, the fintech credit business shaking up the finance industry
- Marshmallow, the car insurance disruptor making policies actually make sense
- Wayve, the company bringing self-driving tech to the UK
And then there’s Zilch, the fastest startup in the UK to hit unicorn status, achieving a $1 billion valuation within just 14 months. Blink, and you’d have missed it.
What’s Fueling the UK’s Young Business Scene?
1. Fintech Rules the Game
Money talks, and financial services dominate the list, with 25% of all entries coming from fintech startups.
2. Software is the New Gold
From AI-driven companies to game-changing SaaS platforms, the Software & Services sector isn’t far behind, representing 21% of businesses on the list.
3. Consumer Brands are Booming
Gymshark. Makeup brands. Lingerie empires. Consumer goods account for 12% of the list, proving that young founders are mastering the art of building brands people love.
Beyond London: Where Else Are Young Founders Thriving?
London might be the mothership, but the North West is holding its own. The region claims 10 entries, including:
- Castore, the sportswear brand backed by tennis legend Andy Murray
- LADbible, the viral media giant run by Alex Solomou
The “Next Gen” Entrepreneurs Taking Over Family Empires
Not every founder started from scratch. Some have inherited high-stakes businesses and turned them into modern powerhouses.
Among the most notable names:
- Fawn James, now running the Soho Estates empire built by her grandfather
- Alex and David Campbell, whose healthcare business supplied Covid tests to the NHS
The UK: A Global Magnet for Young Founders
More than a quarter of the entrepreneurs on the list aren’t even British citizens. The UK has become a hotspot for ambitious international talent, with the largest contingents coming from China and Germany.
Take Eric Liu, the Chinese founder of HungryPanda, the food delivery service now dominating the market. Or Roma Savova, the Bulgarian entrepreneur behind PensionBee, valued at £370 million.
According to Rupert Hoogewerf, Hurun Report Chairman:
“Britain and London are clearly a magnet for ambitious young people looking to start and grow their businesses.”
What’s Next for the UK’s Under 40 Powerhouses?
These 110 entrepreneurs aren’t just part of the UK economy—they’re defining its future. Their companies are scaling at unbelievable speeds, proving that British entrepreneurship is alive, well, and thriving.
If you want to see who’s shaping the UK’s next economic chapter, keep your eye on these names. They’re just getting started.
