Startups.co.uk has a feature of what it believes to be the best group of start-ups, defined as trading post 2005, in the UK. Some of these are really clever businesses with a real need and innovative approach. Huddle, for example, is a really easy to use online collaboration tool, which agencies like us have a real need for to keep track of those ever changing documents in the approvals process. Huddle, I happen to know, is going places. I also really like DIY Kyoto which makes a cool home gadget that visually keeps track of electrical usage in real time in their homes thus encouraging people to switch off and save energy. I suspect the £149.50 starting price will put most people off but it could make a nice wedding gift from eco warriors to their posh, capitalist and uncaring nieces and nephews.
Other companies that feature on the top 100 start-ups list are more likely to disrupt the local farmers market than those of an international nature. Two Chicks sells egg whites, which I don’t think on its own is a viable business. Grated cheese is equally lazy and equally easy for the supermarkets to copy, so if they don’t diversify soon (as the Very Lazy Range people did) then I can’t see them surviving the credit crunch. I was also amused to see that the UK’s 68th most exciting and disruptive start-up makes “trendy” walking sticks. Perhaps it’s a fad or perhaps our aging population will make it a goer. I wouldn’t personally put my pension fund into it.
June 12, 2008 at 9:56 am |
Damnit, i was planning on getting you one of those for your birthday! Back to the drawing board…
June 13, 2008 at 9:52 am |
Hi Sarah. Thanks for the kind words about Huddle! We are indeed going places – we move offices to London Bridge in a fortnight. You’ll have to come and visit us when we’re all settled
Andy