As the UK’s tech startup ecosystem continues to thrive, visionary founders are driving innovation across various industries, shaping the future of technology, finance, healthcare, and beyond. Apart from building successful companies, these entrepreneurs are taking it a step further – rewriting the rules of business and disrupting traditional models.
In this article, we highlight the top 10 tech startup founders in the UK for 2025 (who you should be following if you aren’t already!), exploring their achievements and the impact they’re making within the prospering UK tech sector.
Top UK Tech Startup Founders: Our Must-Follow List
1. Rishi Khosla
Rishi Khosla is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, and is truly dedicated to innovation. As the co-founder and CEO of leading fintech company, OakNorth, – valued at over £1 billion – he has revolutionized lending for scale-up businesses through advanced data analytics, providing fast, flexible financing solutions for SMEs. Previously, he built and sold Copal Amba to Moody’s Corporation, delivering over 200x returns for seed investors.
Beyond business, Rishi is committed to fostering entrepreneurial talent through initiatives like the ‘Mentorpreneurship’ Program and his philanthropic efforts via The Rishi and Milan Khosla Foundation. His investment portfolio spans fintech, biotech, and deep tech, reinforcing his passion for driving progress across industries.
2. Victor Riparbelli
As co-founder and CEO of Synthesia, the world’s leading AI video creation platform, Victor Riparbelli is a force to be reckoned with in AI-powered video production. Thanks to him, businesses can easily create and scale professional-quality videos in 50+ languages. Backed by top investors like Kleiner Perkins, Google Ventures, and Mark Cuban, Synthesia has raised £51 million and is trusted by global giants such as Reuters, Nike, BBC, and Amazon.
With a background in computer science and a passion for emerging technology, Victor has driven innovation in AI, machine learning, and immersive media. Before founding Synthesia in 2017, he co-led Immersive Futures, shaping the UK’s VR/AR industry and working with the UK government to establish London’s first high-quality volumetric capture studio, Dimension. He also co-founded Coincall, a privacy-focused crypto portfolio tracker, later selling it in 2019. With expertise spanning AI, blockchain, and immersive tech, Victor remains dedicated to making content creation more accessible, scalable, and intelligent.
3. Tessa Clarke
Mission-driven entrepreneur, Tessa Clarke, is the co-founder and CEO of Olio – a leading food-sharing app tackling food and household waste through community sharing. Olio has grown to over 8 million users, redistributing 200 million portions of food and 14 million household items, and partnering with major businesses to reduce waste at scale.
With many years of corporate leadership experience and a deep-rooted passion for sustainability, Tessa has become a prominent voice in the circular economy. She serves as a Better Business Act Ambassador, a TED speaker, a columnist for Sifted, and an advocate for sustainable business practices. Recognized as the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman of the Year, she continues to drive policy change and invests in impact-driven ventures as a Venture Partner at Mustard Seed Maze. From advising the UK government on SME growth to mentoring startups and championing waste reduction, Tessa is reshaping how businesses and individuals think about consumption and sustainability.
4. Will Donnelly
Will Donnelly is a passionate entrepreneur tackling the eldercare industry. As co-founder and CEO of Lottie, he has built a trusted platform that helps families easily navigate, find, and finance later-life care. Founded in 2021, Lottie has since expanded to include Found by Lottie, a cloud-based software for care providers, and Seniorcare by Lottie, which supports employers in delivering top-tier eldercare benefits.
Before launching Lottie, Will worked as a Chartered Surveyor, advising on corporate and real estate transactions in the health and social care sectors. His entrepreneurial journey began with Fever Events, a student events business he co-founded and later sold after hosting over 300 events. Through Lottie – crowned winner of the prestigious Startups 100 Index for 2025 – Will continues to lead innovation in the UK tech sector, making quality eldercare more accessible, efficient, and transparent.
5. Christopher Doman
As co-founder and CTO of Cado Security – a leading platform for cloud-native digital forensics and incident response – Christopher Doman is a seasoned cybersecurity professional making waves in the tech startup space. With an impressive background in threat intelligence, security research, and forensic analysis, he holds a Computer Science degree from the University of Cambridge, is a Certified Host Intrusion Analyst (CCHIA), and stands at the forefront of developing advanced cybersecurity solutions.
Before founding Cado Security in 2020, Christopher held key roles at AlienVault, Vectra AI, and PwC, specializing in incident response, threat detection, and security analytics. He also co-founded Ignite Research, building and running an advanced hotel search engine. His expertise in digital forensics began early, winning the Department of Defense’s forensics competition, and he continues to contribute to the industry through his popular threat intelligence portal, ThreatCrowd.org. Through Cado Security, Christopher stays committed to helping organizations quickly investigate and respond to cyber threats in cloud environments, strengthening their security and shaping the future of digital forensics and cybersecurity.
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6. Katerina Spranger
Making waves in the UK’s healthcare industry, Katerina Spranger is quickly becoming a well-known name for her breakthroughs in AI-powered medical technology, advancing neurovascular surgery. As founder and CEO of Oxford Heartbeat, she leads the development of PreSize Neurovascular, an innovative software platform that enhances the safety and accuracy of brain implant surgeries, helping clinicians plan procedures with greater precision.
A Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellow, Katerina holds a PhD in Engineering Science from the University of Oxford. Recognized for her impact on healthcare innovation, she has received the Princess Royal Silver Medal and was named one of Forbes’ “Founders Striving to Change the World.” Through Oxford Heartbeat, Katerina continues to propel AI-driven surgical planning, making complex cardiovascular procedures safer, faster, and more precise.
7. Alex Kendall
AI entrepreneur and enthusiast Alex Kendall is shaking up the world of autonomous driving. As co-founder and CEO of Wayve, he is transforming transportation with AV2.0, a next-generation AI-driven autonomous driving system that adapts to new environments through data-driven learning. Since founding Wayve in 2017, Alex has raised over £1 billion from investors including SoftBank, Nvidia, and Microsoft and built a world-class team across London, Silicon Valley, and Vancouver.
A former Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, Alex holds a PhD in deep learning, computer vision, and robotics. His expertise in AI-powered autonomy goes beyond vehicles – having contributed to Skydio’s autonomous drones and advised Scape Technologies, later acquired by Facebook. With an adventurous spirit and a true passion for AI, Alex is always pushing the limits of machine learning and self-driving technology, showcasing the exciting possibilities in today’s fast-moving tech world.
8. Ramy Shelbaya
Ramy Shelbaya, co-founder and CEO of Quantum Dice, is a quantum physicist and entrepreneur redefining information security in the digital age. As businesses face growing cybersecurity challenges – especially with the rise of AI – Quantum Dice is revolutionizing data protection with quantum randomness for encryption, delivering unmatched security. Since its launch in 2020, the startup has gained recognition for its breakthrough technology, securing major funding, including a £2.09 million grant from Innovate UK.
Alongside his role at Quantum Dice, Ramy is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford’s Department of Physics, specializing in quantum mechanics, computational physics, and high-intensity laser modeling. Recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Ramy bridges advanced research and real-world cybersecurity solutions while making significant strides in securing communications through data encryption.
9. Shelley Copsey
Introducing Shelley Copsey, a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader driving innovation at the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and digital transformation. As co-founder and CEO of FYLD, an AI-powered platform for real-time, data-driven decision-making in field operations, she has rapidly scaled the startup, securing £26.3 million in funding and ranking 14th in the Startups 100 Index for 2025.
With 20+ years of experience in emerging tech and physical infrastructure, Shelley has built and scaled multiple successful SaaS startups, including GeoSLAM (acquired by Faro) and Coviu, a leading telehealth platform. She also played a key role in spinning out high-growth companies from CSIRO, including Emesent and PaidRight. A Chartered Accountant with executive education from MIT and Stanford, Shelley has held leadership roles at CSIRO’s Data61, PwC, and KPMG, driving funding, commercialization, and strategic growth. Passionate about AI-inspired digital transformation, she continues to empower industries to work smarter, safer, and more efficiently.
10. Christian Lanng
Christian Lanng is a serial entrepreneur and technology strategist committed to bringing AI-powered work automation to life. As co-founder of Beyond Work, he is leading the development of the world’s first human-AI work platform, enabling businesses to streamline operations, enhance employee engagement, and boost productivity. Backed by £1.93 million in funding from investors like Moonfire Ventures and the MIT-affiliated E14 Fund, Beyond Work is already being trialed by Fortune 500 enterprises. With SOC 2 compliance, the startup not only prioritizes innovation but also ensures top-tier data protection.
Previously, Christian spent over a decade at Tradeshift, where he co-founded and led the company as CEO and Chairman, transforming global B2B commerce and supply chains. His expertise spans AI, automation, and digital transformation, and he has also advised organizations at the World Economic Forum on the future of software and society. With a background in sociology, technology, and network economics, he is fascinated by the intersection of people, automation, and innovation, continually exploring how emerging technologies shape the future of work.
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Innovation vs. Resilience: The Startup Balancing Act
Startups are leading the way in UK innovation, transforming industries from the inside out and making what once seemed impossible, possible. The founders on this list stand out not just for their entrepreneurial spirit and groundbreaking tech startups, but for creating solutions that change how we work, live, and connect.
But as technology advances, so do the challenges. Cyber threats and security risks are growing, making data security and compliance with industry standards just as important as scaling. The best founders know that real success isn’t just about scaling fast – it’s about building something incredible that stands the test of time. Balancing innovation with security is key to staying one step ahead of the unexpected.
