A viral matcha brand backed by Steven Bartlett has been named as the fastest-growing founder-led business in the UK on the FEBE Growth 100.
The fourth edition of the annual list, in partnership with Virgin, sees PerfectTed top the ranking after passing £8m in revenue and overseeing 532% growth.
The Diary of a CEO host invested in the London-based business in 2022 when co-founders Marisa Poster and Teddie Levenfiche walked into the Den.
The duo secured five offers from the Dragons, but opted for Bartlett and Peter Jones, with the latter dropping out as his retail distribution expertise were not needed.
Bartlett invested £50,000 for 10% of the now-thriving firm, before investing another £1m from his Flight Fund VC firm in August 2024.
Joining PerfectTed in the top three of the list respectively is haircare disruptor REHAB, which has experienced 450% growth and is supported by Stacey Solomon; and Hertfordshire-based meal delivery company Simmer Eats, after it hit over £36m in sales.
The FEBE (For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs) Growth 100 measures growth using metrics and research including two-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR), revenue performance and founder involvement.
All qualifying companies are UK-registered, privately owned, independent and have generated annual revenues between £3m and £200m with an operating profit in their latest financial year.
Making up the rest of the top 10 are Lucky Egg, Conductr, Ancient + Brave, SURI, Dynisma, Purdy & Figg, and Winedrops.
Lancashire-based Panache Cruises, led by James Cole, ranked 15th, whilst Myenergi, which was co-founded by now-former CMO Jordan Brompton, was 30th on the list.
Other standouts on the list include cult brands like TRIP, Skin + Me, REFY and Revive Collagen.
One-third of Growth 100 companies feature female founders or co-founders – including Olivia Jenkins, co-founder of D.LOUISE; Aneisha Soobroyen, co-founder of Scrumbles; and Jess Hunt and Jenna Meek, co-founders of REFY.
“The Growth 100 isn’t just a leaderboard – it’s a tribute to the founders pushing boundaries, taking risks, and building brilliant businesses against all odds,” said Charlotte Quince, founder of FEBE.
Holly Branson, chief purpose and vision office at Virgin, added: “At Virgin, entrepreneurship is in our DNA, which is why we jumped at the chance to support the FEBE Growth 100.
“It’s inspiring to see so many business founders shaking up industries, driving innovation in their field and, by embracing purposeful business principles right at their core, redefining what’s possible.
“It’s also fantastic that a third of the companies in the FEBE Growth 100 are led by women. Encouraging more women to start and scale businesses is something we are passionate about here at Virgin.
“I believe that the business founders of today, through innovation, passion and purpose, will develop solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. What I truly love about all the founders I have met is that they are all 100% up for that challenge!”
See the full list here.