As part of a weekly series, BusinessCloud is highlighting updates from some of the companies featured in our Founder 250 list.
The UK-wide list celebrates 250 of the country’s best founder-led and founder-influenced businesses.
RSM UK is the headline sponsor of Founder 250, alongside law firm CG, property specialist OBI and investor Mercia Ventures.
1. Hair Syrup founder turns the tables on Dragons
Lucie Macleod was 24 when the Dragons rejected her. Now, two years later, she’s officially a millionaire. The Hair Syrup founder had the last laugh on the Dragons by appearing on KSI’s new YouTube programme ‘Find the Millionaire’.
Lucie Macleod with KSI on ‘Find The Millionaire’
KSI is one of Britain’s best-known YouTubers and digital entrepreneurs, and his latest YouTube challenge sees him attempt to identify the millionaires hidden among a group of contestants.
The episode in which Macleod reveals she’s a millionaire has already been viewed 1.2 million times!
2. AO founder launches ‘no gimmicks’ mobile
Online electrical retailer AO has launched AO Mobile, promising ‘no gimmicks’ and plans from as little as £12 a month. Founder and CEO John Roberts said the move would ‘keep mobile simple’.
3. Ben Francis – ‘There’s never a perfect time to start’
Ben Francis was 19 when he founded Gymshark and he says there’s never a perfect time to start a business.
Writing on LinkedIn, he admitted: “If I’d waited until I had more money, more experience or more confidence, I don’t think Gymshark would’ve happened. Looking back, I think people overestimate how prepared founders are at the beginning. Most of us aren’t. You start with what you’ve got. Then you learn, adapt and improve as you go. If I’d waited until I felt ready, I’d probably still be waiting.”
4. Magic AI CEO goes back to school
Magic AI CEO Varun Bhanot returned to his old school – Ilford County High School – and offered three of its students an internship.
Bhanot is on a mission to build the world’s most intelligent AI-enabled personal trainer.
He said: “Maybe one of them starts their own thing one day, and does the same for three kids from Ilford County.”
5. Applied Nutrition to create 20 jobs
Applied Nutrition, the fast-growing sports nutrition, health and wellness brand founded by Tom Ryder, is creating another 20 jobs.
Applied Nutrition creates 20 jobs with 53,000 sq ft expansion
It follows the news that the company has secured a long-term lease on a new 53,000 sq ft facility on Knowsley Industrial Estate, which will be called K53.
6. Ma and Meek set for Dragons’ Den return
Jenna Meek, who is the co-founder of REFY, and Tropic Skincare founder Susie Ma will make history when Dragons’ Den returns to our screens on Thursday.
Ma and Meek will join regular faces Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett. It will be the first time in the 21-year history of the show that female Dragons will outnumber their male counterparts.
7. Revolut flying high with airport lounge launch
London-headquartered Revolut is expanding beyond FinTech. Nik Storonsky and Vlad Yatsenko launched Revolut in 2015 to transform the way people spend and transfer money abroad, and it’s now valued at £75bn and serves more than 75 million customers across 40 markets globally.
Going up: Revolut Lounge
The company posted a photo on social media of a man on an airport escalator alongside the message: “First, we put global travel benefits in your pocket. Now, we’re building our own. Revolut Lounge, landing in 2027 at an airport near you.”
Revolut is targeting key European hubs for a new lounge network, starting in Copenhagen.
8. 47 Skin marks anniversary with Boots deal
47 Skin, which is one of the UK’s fastest-growing skincare brands, has celebrated its eighth birthday by announcing an expansion into more than 500 Boots stores.
Nik Taylor started 47 Skin after spending over a decade suffering from really bad spots and blemishes. His grandmother sent him a pot of cream in the post and it inspired him to launch 47 Skin.
The company has clocked up more than 500,000 customers since it launched in 2018.
9. Proud dad moment for de Novo Solutions founder
Mark Sweeny is a serial entrepreneur and best known as the founder of Welsh technology firm de Novo Solutions. This week he’s been wearing his ‘proud dad’ hat.
Mark Sweeny and his daughter Megan Sweeny
He wrote: “Congratulations to my daughter Megan Sweeny who joined the Queensland Ambulance Service a year ago and is just completing her training to return to the front line as a paramedic this month. I could not be prouder.”
10. Myprotein says it with chocolate
Myprotein has announced the next chapter in its official partnership with Mars Wrigley with the launch of Twix Impact Whey Protein.
It follows the successful launches of Snickers, Mars and Bounty. Myprotein is a key component of online retailer THG, which was founded by Matt Moulding in 2004.