Nominations are pouring in from companies looking to be included in BusinessCloud’s inaugural Founder 250 list.

Online nominations began arriving within hours of the search beginning for the UK’s best founder-led and founder-influenced businesses.

We’ve joined forces with leading audit, tax and consulting advisory firm RSM UK, fast-growing law firm CG and property specialist OBI to make it happen.

The list underlines BusinessCloud’s ambition to be the home of founders and will be followed by a series of UK-wide founder roundtables.

Founder250 banner

The deadline for nominations is April 30 and the Founder 250 list is due to be published in June.

On Tuesday, BusinessCloud launched its new Naked Founder podcast with an exclusive interview with CONDUCTR’s co-founders Peter Cliff and Jos van der Steen.

We’ve also published daily founder-led content as we look to make BusinessCloud the home of founders.

Quality entries

BusinessCloud’s executive editor Chris Maguire said: “If the start is anything to go by, we’re definitely on to something with our Founder 250 list.

“Normally you get a rush of submissions in the final few days before the deadline, but the first submission arrived within an hour of the launch.

“We’ve been really impressed with the early quality. The nomination process couldn’t be easier – just fill in the online nomination form below.”

We’re looking for founder-led or founder-influenced businesses that are truly moving the dial, whether that influence comes from a founder as CEO, chairman or in another board role.

Founder 250: Search begins for UK’s best founder businesses

To qualify, companies must have a significant UK presence, be cash generative and have been founded no later than 2024.

While not essential, judges will also favour businesses with a clear purpose, including B Corp status, ESG strategies or a commitment to charity or social impact initiatives.

The deadline for nominations is April 30.

Nominate by filling in the online form below.

    Company information

    Q1. Company name:

    Q2. Head office address:

    Q3. Date of incorporation/launch:

    Q4. Name(s) of founder(s):

    Q5. What role(s) do the founder(s) currently hold within the business?

    Q6. What is the size of the company (turnover and/or number of employees)?

    Q7. Is the company growing?
    Please provide supporting evidence (e.g. revenue growth, headcount growth, market expansion, etc.)

    Q8. Has the company raised any external investment? If yes, please provide details.

    Q9. Beyond financial performance, can the business demonstrate a clear purpose?
    For example: ESG initiatives, B Corp status, social impact, charitable work, etc.

    Company information

    Q10. Your contact details:

    Core eligibility criteria

    To be considered for the list, companies must:

    • Be founder-led or founder-influenced (e.g. founder as chair, significant shareholder, or in a strategic role)
    • Be a UK-registered company (UK HQ or significant UK operations)
    • Be revenue-generating (not pre-revenue)
    • Demonstrate clear evidence of growth (e.g. revenue, team size, funding, market expansion)
    • Have been founded or incorporated no later than 2024

    While not essential, judges will also look favourably on businesses that demonstrate a clear purpose, such as:

    • B Corp certification
    • ESG strategy
    • Social impact or charitable initiatives
    • Closing date for submissions: 30 April 2026

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