The UK’s longest-running index of the most promising new startups, the Startups 100, has released its 2025 lineup.
The list includes two Welsh-headquartered businesses, Deploy Tech and PlantSea.
The Startups 100, run by Startups.co.uk, showcases the top 100 young UK businesses which exhibit innovation, solid financials, opportunity in their market, a great concept and a strong customer base or following.
Both Welsh businesses were recognised for further awards in the Startups 100 Index 2025. Deploy Tech was named the winner of the Startups 100 Social Impact Award, while PlantSea was shortlisted for the the Startups 100 Sustainability Award.
To support the launch of this year’s list, Startups.co.uk also surveyed 531 business leaders and found 75% of Welsh businesses are optimistic about the year ahead. This is a massive increase from 2024 figures where only 58% of companies were optimistic.
The Startups 100 Index has been running for the last 17 years, spanning all industries with the final list championing a range of inventive and original ideas. In previous years the Startups 100 index has predicted the success of huge names such as Monzo and Deliveroo.
47. Deploy Tech
Described as “the IKEA of concrete infrastructure for water storage”: flat-packed, easy to transport, and with applications for disaster relief and construction.
Founder: Paul Mendieta, Beren Kayali
Founded: 2020
Winner of the The Startups 100 Social Impact Award 2025
Profile
Deploy Tech revolutionises water infrastructure with flat-packed, concrete-filled fabric solutions that are easy to transport and deploy. From aiding earthquake relief in Turkey to supporting construction projects and emergency response systems worldwide, Deploy is transforming water storage with sustainable, versatile technology and partnerships with Unicef and Oxfam.
60. PlantSea
Combatting the UK’s plastic waste problem, PlantSea creates biodegradable and compostable packaging from seaweed and plant-based materials.
Founders: Rhiannon Rees, Alex Newnes, Gianmarco Sanfratello
Year founded: 2020
Shortlisted for The Startups 100 Sustainability Award 2025
Profile
PlantSea aims to tackle plastic waste by creating biodegradable packaging from seaweed and plant-based materials, inspired by Bali’s pollution crisis. Backed by the Development Bank of Wales and boasting growing sales, PlantSea is driving sustainable packaging innovation and reducing plastic waste on a global scale.
Editor of Startups.co.uk, Zohra Huda, said:
“Who says you need to be born in the capital to succeed? This year’s Startups 100 index proves that inspiration, innovation and ingenuity is in abundance in Wales with Deploy Tech and Plantsea leading the charge in spite of the challenges of the post-Covid and current economic landscape. Watch out London.”
The Startups 100, run by Startups.co.uk, showcases the top 100 new UK businesses based on five key areas of analysis: finance, external validation, size of opportunity, innovativeness of idea and strength of concept.
