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UK’s most disruptive SMEs recognised at Everline Future50

The Everline Future 50 awards, held in conjunction with Real Business, announced the 2015 winners at a ceremony on Wednesday.

The annual list, which this year included financial service firms and electric bicycle manufacturers, through to digital advertising companies and energy providers – was unveiled at a packed event held at LSO St Luke’s in London and hosted by comedian Chris Turner.

Dedicated to celebrating disruptive, early-stage companies that are triggering change in their respective markets, previous Everline Future 50 winners include Secret Escapes and Made.com.

Now in its fourth year, for the first time six featured businesses were singled out for individual awards. The new categories, each with its own set of criteria, have been introduced to celebrate companies that are disrupting specific sectors, making a real difference and are particularly ones to watch.

Heating technology company Flow Energy won The Everline Future 50 Environment and Sustainability Award. Cause4, a social enterprise firm championing disruptive philanthropy, received The Everline Future 50 Social Impact Award while global technology company VE Interactive won The Everline Future 50 Profit Potential Award.

The Everline Future 50 Household Name of the Future was awarded to PayasUgym, an online gym database company, while the Commuter Club, a business helping Londoners save money on their annual travel cards, was crowned The Everline Future 50 Disruptor of the Year. Chaser, an online tool that helps SMEs ensure their invoices are paid on time, completed the line up with The Everline Future 50 Friend to Business award.

Judging was done by an expert panel led by Everline CEO Russell Gould. Amy Carroll, Group Editor at Real Business, chaired the panel of judges which included Richard Gibson, CFO at SwiftKey, Parveen Dhanda, City Innovation Incubator Manager at City University, Trevor Hope, Chief Investment Officer at Berinegea LLP and Clive Rich, CEO of LawBite.

Russell Gould, COO of digital business lenders Everline and Ezbob, commented: “The calibre of businesses on this year’s list is testament to the wealth of innovation and creativity in the UK at the moment. SMEs are the bedrock of the economy, so it is great to see so many celebrated and recognised for being disruptive in their designated fields. I hope this year’s winners inspire a new wave of businesses and I look forward to watching their developments in the months and years ahead.”

Amy Carroll, Group Editor, Real Business, adds: “For the fourth year running we have identified 50 exciting and disruptive businesses that are all breaking new ground and transforming the sectors within which they operate. The six we awarded named prizes to this year are shining examples of the potential early-stage businesses in the UK have and the extent to which they can make a big difference to the economy. I wish them all every success for the future.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Martin .