UK’s Fastest Growing Startups of the Last 5 Years: Their Secrets and How to Join Them
Over the past five years, the UK’s startup ecosystem has boomed, creating an array of exciting opportunities for those seeking dynamic careers. Rapidly expanding sectors such as fintech, health-tech, sustainable solutions, and innovative consumer brands are leading this growth. Here’s an overview of the fastest-growing startups that have emerged since 2020, why they’re thriving, and how you can become part of their journey—perhaps starting with a free tool like a creator free online service.
1. Revolut: Fintech Innovation Leader
Revolut, founded in 2015 but dramatically scaling from 2020 onwards, now serves over 25 million global customers. Known for revolutionising traditional banking with fast, user-friendly financial services, Revolut excels due to its ability to continuously innovate, offering currency exchanges, cryptocurrency trading, and advanced budgeting tools all within one app. A key to its success is aggressive international expansion, sophisticated technology, and relentless focus on customer convenience.
To apply for a role at Revolut, polish your CV highlighting digital finance skills or tech-driven experiences. Revolut values agile thinkers who thrive in fast-paced, challenging environments. They regularly post job vacancies on their career portal, and frequently prioritise candidates demonstrating enthusiasm for digital transformation.
2. Octopus Energy: Green Energy Pioneer
Octopus Energy is arguably the most talked-about renewable energy startup in the UK, growing from a modest team to over 3 million customers in less than five years. Their focus on sustainability, affordable pricing, and exceptional customer experience earned them rapid market traction. The company’s key strength is the innovative use of technology—particularly AI—to optimise energy use, offer dynamic pricing, and maintain industry-leading customer satisfaction rates.
To join Octopus Energy, your application should showcase not only your professional background but your genuine passion for renewable energy and sustainable innovation. Positions range widely from customer service representatives to data scientists. Ensure your CV clearly states your sustainability interests and technical skills.
3. Hopin: Virtual Event Platform
Hopin’s exponential growth can be directly linked to the global pandemic’s rise in remote working and virtual events. Founded in 2019, by 2021, Hopin had become one of the UK’s fastest unicorns, with valuations exceeding £5 billion. Its success stems from its intuitive, versatile platform allowing users to host large-scale online events seamlessly. Businesses worldwide adopted Hopin for conferences, summits, and networking events, maintaining growth even as in-person events returned.
Job applicants interested in Hopin should have digital communication or event management backgrounds. Using a CV creator free tool online can help tailor a modern, digitally-focused CV that highlights your remote-work adaptability, digital event coordination, and teamwork capabilities.
4. Cazoo: Online Car Retail Disruptor
Cazoo transformed the used-car market by offering fully digital car buying experiences, fast delivery, and customer guarantees previously unseen in automotive sales. Founded in 2018, Cazoo’s revenue has soared past £1 billion, attracting substantial investor attention. Their innovative approach combines tech-savvy logistics with simplified customer interaction, making car buying as straightforward as ordering groceries online.
Positions at Cazoo range from technology and engineering to logistics, sales, and marketing. Candidates with strong digital skills, customer experience insights, or logistics expertise find opportunities here. Use clear, result-driven language in your CV to highlight previous successes, ideally backed by numerical achievements.
5. Zilch: “Buy Now, Pay Later” Innovator
Zilch, founded in 2018, swiftly became a household name among younger consumers through its flexible “Buy Now, Pay Later” solution. Its differentiation lies in transparent pricing, responsible lending practices, and smooth digital integration at checkout. Zilch’s rapid growth is a direct result of tapping into shifting consumer spending habits favouring manageable financial solutions.
When applying at Zilch, candidates with financial tech experience, regulatory understanding, or digital marketing expertise are highly sought-after. Using a free CV creator, you can craft a compelling document clearly showing your capabilities in consumer finance, tech innovation, or customer engagement.
6. Huel: Plant-Based Nutrition Brand
Huel has established itself as a global nutrition sensation since 2020, capitalising on growing consumer preferences towards sustainable, plant-based lifestyles. It successfully markets itself as a healthy, convenient, and sustainable meal solution. The combination of effective digital marketing, robust e-commerce strategies, and consumer engagement through transparency about sustainability practices underpin its strong market presence.
Applying to Huel means aligning yourself with a passionate team driven by sustainability and nutrition. Your CV should prominently feature experience or personal interest in nutrition, sustainability, e-commerce, or social media strategy—areas core to Huel’s business model.
How to Successfully Apply: Tips and Tools
Landing a job in these exciting startups requires more than just traditional qualifications. Given the competitive nature of startup recruitment, clarity, brevity, and relevance in your CV are essential. Utilising a CV creator free online is a strategic choice—these tools allow quick customisation, ensuring your profile aligns precisely with the company’s vision and job specifications.
Startup hiring managers typically have limited time, so presenting your credentials succinctly and powerfully improves your chances significantly. Include tangible, results-oriented statements about your past roles and articulate your genuine enthusiasm for the startup’s mission and culture.
Additionally, applicants are increasingly expected to demonstrate initiative and creativity. Before applying, immerse yourself in the startup’s public-facing channels: blogs, social media, and news articles. Understanding their unique selling points, company culture, and industry trends will make your CV and cover letter resonate deeply with recruiters.
Final Thoughts
The UK’s fastest-growing startups are thriving thanks to bold innovation, agile decision-making, and deep consumer insight. Whether it’s fintech, renewable energy, consumer retail, or digital communications, these companies offer exciting, fulfilling roles for ambitious candidates.
To make your application stand out in such competitive environments, carefully tailor your CV, highlight digital skills, and clearly communicate your alignment with their values. The opportunity is immense; it’s simply about presenting your unique value effectively, which can be streamlined through tools like a CV creator online. Prepare, research, and showcase your passion—these startups are looking for innovative thinkers ready to grow alongside them.
