The UK’s tech startup scene is booming, fueled by ambitious founders who are not just building successful companies, but also challenging conventional business models. This article highlights ten of the most influential tech startup founders in the UK for 2025, recognizing their accomplishments and the profound impact they are making on the UK tech sector.
Top UK Tech Startup Founders: The Ones to Watch
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Rishi Khosla: A seasoned entrepreneur and investor, Rishi Khosla is dedicated to driving innovation in the fintech space. As co-founder and CEO of OakNorth, a fintech company valued at over £1 billion, he has revolutionized lending for growing businesses by leveraging advanced data analytics, providing quick, flexible financing for SMEs. He previously built and sold Copal Amba to Moody’s Corporation, yielding significant returns for early investors. Khosla also supports entrepreneurial talent and invests in various sectors, including fintech, biotech, and deep tech, to fuel advancement across industries.
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Victor Riparbelli: Victor Riparbelli, co-founder and CEO of Synthesia, heads the leading AI video creation platform. His work allows businesses to produce and scale professional videos in over 50 languages. Supported by prominent investors like Kleiner Perkins, Google Ventures, and Mark Cuban, Synthesia has secured over £51 million in funding and is used by global companies such as Reuters, Nike, the BBC, and Amazon. With a background in computer science and a passion for emerging tech, Victor drives innovation in AI, machine learning, and immersive media. Earlier, he co-led Immersive Futures, playing a crucial role in the development of the UK’s VR/AR sector and establishing London’s first high-quality volumetric capture studio. He also co-founded Coincall, a privacy-focused crypto portfolio tracker.
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Tessa Clarke: As the co-founder and CEO of Olio, Tessa Clarke is a mission-driven entrepreneur fighting food and household waste by promoting community sharing. Olio has grown to over 8 million users, redistributing substantial quantities of food and household items, and partnering with major businesses to reduce waste. With ample corporate leadership experience and a strong commitment to sustainability, Clarke has become a leading voice in the circular economy. She is also the co-founder of Olio.
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Will Donnelly: Will Donnelly, the co-founder and CEO of Lottie, is an entrepreneur focused on improving the eldercare sector. His company, Lottie, is a respected platform connecting families with later-life care options, including Found by Lottie, a software for care providers, and Seniorcare by Lottie. Before Lottie, Donnelly advised on real estate transactions in the health and social care sectors through his work as a Chartered Surveyor, and he co-founded a student events business named Fever Events. Lottie was also the winner of the Startups 100 Index in 2025, and Donnelly continues to advance innovation in the UK tech sector.
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Christopher Doman: Christopher Doman serves as the co-founder and CTO of Cado Security, a leading platform for cloud-native digital forensics and incident response. Doman has a strong background in cybersecurity, threat intelligence, and forensic analysis. He obtained a Computer Science degree from the University of Cambridge. Doman co-founded Ignite Research before creating this platform as a means to assist companies in strengthening cybersecurity for their organizations.
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Katerina Spranger: Katerina Spranger is making waves in the UK’s healthcare industry through her advances in employing AI-powered medical tech to advance neurovascular surgery. As founder and CEO of Oxford Heartbeat, she leads the development of the PreSize Neurovascular software platform. The software aids in the precision of brain implant surgeries and surgery planning. She earned her Ph.D. in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford, receiving the Princess Royal Silver Medal and being named one of Forbes’ “Founders Striving to Change the World.”
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Alex Kendall: Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of Wayve, is transforming transportation with AV2.0, an AI-driven autonomous driving system that adjusts to new environments. Kendall has raised over £1 billion and has a large team across London, Silicon Valley, and Vancouver. He earned his PhD in deep learning, computer vision, and robotics from the University of Cambridge. He has also contributed to Skydio’s autonomous drones and advised Scape Technologies.
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Ramy Shelbaya: Ramy Shelbaya, co-founder and CEO of Quantum Dice, is a quantum physicist and entrepreneur rethinking information security in the digital realm. He is working on increasing data protection with quantum randomness for encryption to solve cybersecurity problems. Since 2020, his startup has gotten recognition for its innovative tech, including some funding. Besides his role at Quantum Dice, Shelbaya is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford’s Department of Physics, specializing in quantum mechanics.
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Shelley Copsey: Shelley Copsey is a seasoned entrepreneur powering innovation at the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and digital transformation. As the co-founder and CEO of FYLD, she has scaled the startup and secured £26.3 million in funding. With 20+ years of experience in emerging tech and physical infrastructure, Copsey has built and scaled several SaaS startups. She holds leadership positions at leading companies. Copsey is passionate and continues to transform industries to assist individuals with efficient work.
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Christian Lanng: As co-founder of Beyond Work, Christian Lanng is focused on bringing AI-powered work automation to life. Beyond Work is already being tested by Fortune 500 organizations. Lanng previously spent a decade at Tradeshift, where he co-founded and led the company as CEO and Chairman. He is enthusiastic about the convergence of people, automation, and innovation.
These founders are shaping the future of tech, and they all share the same goal: improving the way we work, live, and connect. The best founders are innovative and security-conscious to stay a step ahead of unforeseen challenges and balance innovation.
