UncategorizedFounders

Investor Mercia Ventures is the latest sponsor of BusinessCloud’s new Founder 250 list.

Mercia Ventures is one of the UK’s leading seed and Series A investors and is looking to back ambitious founders.

They join our three other sponsors – leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK, fast-growing law firm CG and property specialist OBI.

BusinessCloud’s Founder 250 list is searching for the UK’s top 250 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.

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

Founder250 banner

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.

Will Clark, managing director of Mercia Ventures, said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting BusinessCloud’s Founders 250 list.

“At Mercia Ventures, we back ambitious founders by partnering with them to make the impossible possible.

“We’re looking forward to amplifying their stories and bringing their visions to life.”

BusinessCloud’s executive editor Chris Maguire said: “We’ve had an amazing response since launching our Founder 250 list.

“We’re absolutely delighted Mercia Ventures has come on board as a sponsor. Like us, they’re passionate about supporting founders.

“RSM UK, CG, OBI and Mercia Ventures are a stellar line-up of sponsors and we’re looking forward to working with them.”

My biggest founder mistake (and what it taught me)

Nominations have been pouring in since the list was launched last week while our new Naked Founder podcast entered Apple’s top 100 podcast charts.

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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