Nine Scottish entrepreneurs have been celebrated in the 2019 ‘Maserati 100’ index – celebrating entrepreneurial excellence across the UK.
The 2019 edition, which was unveiled in yesterday’s The Sunday Times, recognises innovation and the dedication of those entrepreneurs from growing start-ups to established businesses.
The highly regarded annual list, which is now in its fifth year, celebrates a diverse number of entrepreneurs; of all different ages and from all around the United Kingdom – including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. The Scottish entrepreneurs included in this year’s prestigious list are:
Cally Russell, Mallzee
Users of the Mallzee app browse through fashion products and rate them with a Tinder-style system, providing retailers with instant feedback. Mallzee was founded in Edinburgh in 2011 by Russell, 31, and is backed by the Royal Mail.
Neil MacMartin, FreeFlow Technologies
Glasgow inventor MacMartin, 34, has designed an electric motor for bicycles that he says is lighter and more energy-efficient than those on the market. FreeFlow has recruited former Dyson boss Martin McCourt, 62, as chairman, and starts mass production this year.
Rebecca Pick, Pick Protection
Pick, 25, started to design innovative personal attack alarms in 2014 after her neighbour was attacked and nobody came to help. The Glasgow business now designs apps to help companies protect lone workers.
Andrew Hopkins, Exscientia
Professor Andrew Hopkins, 47, spent a decade with Pfizer before launching Exscientia as a spinout from Dundee University in 2012. The company’s artificial intelligence technology is used to develop drugs. It has signed multimillion-pound research deals with Glaxo Smith Kline and Sanofi.
Becky Woodhouse, Pure Spa & Beauty
Woodhouse, 44, opened her first spa in Edinburgh in 2002 and now operates eight venues in Scotland and London. She employs 150 people and has plans to open further spas in Manchester, Bristol and Leeds.
Michael Harkins, Turtle Pack
Former swimming teacher Harkins, 26, founded Turtle Pack in Livingston, near Edinburgh, in 2015. The start-up’s main product is a swimming aid for children that is based on the shape of a turtle shell.
Gregor Lawson, Fraser and Ali Smeaton, MorphCostumes
Lawson, 40, along with Smeaton brothers Fraser, 39, and Ali, 37, started designing and selling the world’s first head-to-toe Morphsuits in 2009. The Edinburgh-based trio now have a range of hundreds of colours and patterns, as well as traditional fancy-dress costumes.
Mike Biscoe, General Manager, Maserati GB, said: “I’m delighted that the Maserati 100 has become an established platform to celebrate British entrepreneurialism. Each year we are impressed by the quality of entrepreneurs recognised, and it’s great to continue to see such a diverse mix of talented individuals who are all doing something incredible in their chosen fields of business. Maserati was born from the dedication and hard-work of entrepreneurs Alfieri Maserati and his brothers, so we feel it’s only right that we continue to honour and support entrepreneurs today who are shaping the very future we will live in.”
Sunday Times Business Editor, Oliver Shah, said: “We’re proud once again to be able to shine a light on entrepreneurs who are making a difference to their communities and the customers they serve.”
To see the full 2019 Maserati 100 list click here.
