The Everline and Real Business Future 50 Awards celebrate the UK’s most disruptive businesses. The annually published list provides definitive analysis of game-changing UK companies and is a major programme to support disruptive organisations that are triggering change in their markets.
The 2014 entries were as diverse as they were brilliant, showcasing businesses poised to revolutionise the way we do just about everything: from the way we shop, to the way we communicate, the way we travel, the way we eat, and even the way we die!
The final 50, which included Norwich-based Liftshare, was announced in the heart of London’s start-up scene and was hosted by comedian Seann Walsh. Liftshare’s founder, Ali Clabburn, attended the event: “The Liftshare team has always maintained a start-up mentality that keeps our thinking fresh and our approach innovative. We established the UK’s sharing economy, which is fast becoming a mainstream movement – Forbes tipped it as the hottest trend for 2014 and the Government is also eager to lend its support. We are hugely proud to have remained at the forefront of this dynamic industry and this award is further recognition that Liftshare is setting trends for others to follow.”
Several other businesses from the East made it onto the prestigious list including Norwich-based Rainbird and ServiceTick, confirming the city’s position as a hub for talent and innovation.
The list was compiled by professor Julian Beer, pro-vice chancellor (regional enterprise) at Plymouth University; serial technology entrepreneur Shakil Khan; Anthony Eskinazi, founder and chairman of Parkatmyhouse; Darren Westlake, CEO of CrowdCube; Cate Trotter, founder of Insider Trends; Matthew Rock, former editor of Real Business and Russell Gould, managing director of Everline.
Russell Gould, managing director of Everline, said: “We had hundreds of high-calibre entries to this year’s Future 50, showing that small businesses are continuing to find innovative ways to drive the UK economy. The UK continues to prove itself as a hub of innovation and we’re really proud to support and celebrate the achievements of these businesses and wish them every success in the future.”