A hugely hearty congratulations to the 100 small businesses that
have been named winners in
the Smarta 100, together with O2. This is our annual
celebration of the UK's most disruptive, innovative, exciting,
resourceful and original small businesses and start-ups - and this
year it was more competitive than ever before.
So who are our winners? The smartest businesses aren't just
those making the most money, but those making the most out of a
tiny budget, getting seriously creative with their marketing
efforts, those refreshing age-old sectors with completely new
ideas, and those doing their bit to make the world a better
place.
We've got everything from animal onsies for adults to the UK's
next generation of fast-growth tech superstars. We've got knitting
grannies, portable toilets in bags, solar-powered mobile phone
chargers and eggs that you put in the laundry.
These companies are turbo-charging the British economy and
proving that small businesses can thrive despite seriously adverse
conditions. Together, they generate more than £196 million and
employ over 1,100 people. One in four of the founders are female,
and 65 of the 100 employ 10 or less people. Not bad, eh?
But who should be the overall winner? There's a £10,000 prize,
courtesy of O2, up for grabs for the Smarta 100 company that gets
the most votes from the public. Who do you think should win? Browse the winners, get
to know their stories and pick your favourite and vote before 8
November!
There are also six special awards, to be decided by our judges,
for the winners that have displayed the best use of Innovation,
Resources, People, Marketing, Technology and Social Impact. Check
out their stories on the Special Awards sections.
Congratulations again everyone!
View all the winners of the 2012 Smarta 100, together
with O2