Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top Birmingham based Founder operating in the Software space. If you think a Founder is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
James Wolffsohn
Founder of Aston EyeTech Ltd
James Wolffsohn is one of the leading UK academics in the ophthalmic research field with over two hundred research papers, 16 book Chapters and two books (including books on ophthalmic imaging) principally in the areas of contact lenses, intraocular lenses, accommodation and low vision. Having worked at the University for 15 years James is now the Deputy Executive Dean of Life and Health Sciences and has a wide range of responsibilities at the University both from a profession management and principal investigator perspective. James has over 200 abstracts published at conferences in Europe, USA, Asia and Australia. Over £4 million in research grants from grant awarding bodies and industry. James has had 17 PhD’s awarded to students and currently has 7 in progress and 15 post doctorial research fellows with 4 currently in progress. James started to move into ‘engineering’ based research in Life and Health Sciences in 2008 and has had significant success in the field, developing innovative products and securing IP with a range of research tools.
Follow James Wolffsohn:
About Aston EyeTech Ltd, Aston University, Aston University, University of Houston, Visioncare Research: Aston EyeTech is the commercialisation spin-out from Aston University, developing a range of products to support practising optometrists.
_______
Mark Dunne
Founder of Aston EyeTech Ltd
Mark graduated from the University College of North Wales, Bangor in 1983 with a degree in Zoology. His postgraduate studies were carried out in the Department of Vision Sciences at Aston University. Here, he examined the relationship between ocular biometry, involving development of an ultrasonic ophthalmophakometric technique, and peripheral refraction under the supervision of Derek Barnes. His thesis entitled ‘An Optical Study of Human Ocular Dimensions’ led to the award of a PhD in 1987. During the last year of his postgraduate studies, he became a research assistant on a project, carried out at Aston and funded by the TRRL, looking into road direction sign optimisation. Mark then studied for a degree in Ophthalmic Optics (Optometry) for which he graduated with first class honours in 1989 and became a registered member of the College of Optometrists in 1990. He was appointed as a lecturer at Aston in 1990 and promoted to senior lecturer in 2007. Since then, he has continued his research interests in the fields of ocular biometry and the visual aspects of driving. He has been the optometry admissions tutor since 1996.
Follow Mark Dunne:
About Aston EyeTech Ltd, Aston University: Aston EyeTech is the commercialisation spin-out from Aston University, developing a range of products to support practising optometrists.
Nick Holzherr
Founder & CEO of Whisk
Whisk helps turn food inspiration into meals on the table, through software that makes the process seamless for users. Nick now leads Whisk at Samsung NEXT, Samsung’s software and innovation division. Before Whisk was acquired by Samsung in March 2019, Whisk had grown from a team of 2 to 32, integrating the world’s largest food ecosystem players in the US, UK, Australia and Germany. As a serial entrepreneur, Nick raised over $2m in VC funding to first found Whisk after pitching Whisk.com to Lord Sugar in the final of the BBC Apprentice 2012, where he achieved the series’ best task-win record. In 2017 Nick was awarded an honorary doctorate from Aston University. Nick and his businesses have been featured in leading publications including Newsweek, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The BBC and The Next Web.
Follow Nick Holzherr:
About Air, Samsung NEXT, Whisk: Whisk powers the creation, discovery, personalization, and monetization of food content online, in-store, and at home.
Paul Black
Co-Founder & CEO of Sales-i
At sales-i though, Paul Black sets the company’s technical direction and spearheads business and sales partnerships. Paul is heavily involved in defining the company’s marketing strategy and technical delivery of sales-i. To top that all off, Paul is a complete adrenaline junkie and he’s really in his element burning rubber around a racetrack. Paul competes regularly on the international racing stage and yes, we all get to go and cheer him on!
Follow Paul Black:
About Sales-i: sales-i transforms the way manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors work.
Jim Cavale
Founder & CEO of INFLCR
Jim Cavale is an entrepreneur originally from Upstate New York, who currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama and the Southeast United States. Jim loved the challenge of raising money for equipment and technology, learning how to operate it, hiring a team of student-workers and setting a vision that he could lead the team to achieve. By 2010, through Jim’s sales efforts, NextSpex had built more than 200 annual subscribers in the from of high schools and colleges throughout the southeast U.S., but Jim decided to make a pivot and switch to an advertising model, which required less of his time in leading the company and allowed him to make his next move as an entrepreneur; joining his eventual business partner Forrest Walden, in building a new brick-and-mortar group fitness brand called Iron Tribe. Jim was introduced to the brand, first as a client of its only gym location in Homewood, Alabama. Over the next six years, Jim would partner with Forrest and an investor, to lead Iron Tribe as its President and build the brand to 43 gyms across America. From Seattle to Miami, Iron Tribe expanded its impact on people with its simple model of limiting gym members to 300 clients, paying a premium fee of $250 per month for their Iron Tribe Fitness experience. As Iron Tribe continues to grow, Jim and his wife Yazmin, are starting up a new, beauty-on-demand app called GLOW, which you can download in the iTunes and Google Play app stores. The app offers access to a network of top-level beauty professionals in Birmingham-only, where customers can schedule an on-demand hair, makeup or spray tan that comes right to their doorstep. Aside from growing GLOW into new markets, Jim is the Entrepreneur-In-Residence for the Velocity Fund, which has invested into GLOW along with nine other startups that are based in the fund’s space within Birmingham’s Innovation Depot. Jim is also working on a new concept he is going to launch for the college and professional sports marketing niche, which you can follow through his website JimCavale.com.
Follow Jim Cavale:
About GLOW, INFLCR, Teamworks: INFLCR offers a SaaS platform for sports team properties to store, track and deliver their content across their influencer’s network.
Jeff Epstein
Founder and CEO of Onboard (Onboard.io)
Jeff Epstein is the founder and CEO of Onboard.
Follow Jeff Epstein:
About Onboard (Onboard.io): Software to enable B2B Software companies to automate & streamline the customer onboarding and implementation process
Joe Lauer
Founder & CEO of Greenback
Joe Lauer is an entrepreneur focusing on web, mobile, and cloud software. He currently is the CEO of [Greenback](/organization/greenback). His previous company [Cloudhopper](/organization/cloudhopper) was acquired by Twitter (NYSE: TWTR) in 2010 and [Simplewire](/organization/simplewire) was acquired by Qpass/Amdocs (NYSE: DOX) in 2006.
Follow Joe Lauer:
About Greenback: Accounting automation software for growing businesses.
Tom Hartle
Founder and CEO of CoherentRx
Tom Hartle is a publishing entrepreneur, CEO and Founder of CoherentRx, a private software company that develops patient education solutions for healthcare providers. Tom Hartle founded Hour Media, which publishes Hour Detroit – a Detroit lifestyle magazine and website, with business partners John Balardo and Stefan Wanczyk. Crain’s Detroit Business named Hartle as one of the magazine’s 40 under 40. he sold out of the company and launched Hartle Media with then partner Heather Hartle. Hartle Media launched 7×7, a bimonthly San Francisco lifestyle magazine and website. Hartle Media bought California Home + Design, a California home and garden magazine and website, with partner, the McEvoy Group. Tom Hartle Media partnered with the McEvoy Group to buy Spin Media, publisher of Spin, a music magazine and website. Hartle served as president, he co-founded Bandwdth Publishing, an app publishing house devoted to the arts and sciences. Bandwdth Publishing creates educational products for app-enabled devices. Titles include: Bygone Days, an American history app for the iPad, the Bandwdth Artist Dashboard for the Samsung Smart TV, KoЯn and Uproar Tour apps for the iPhone, a KoЯn SMS program, and a Patti Smith: Dream of Life app for the iPad, a virtual art gallery complement to the documentary of the same name.
Follow Tom Hartle:
About CoherentRx: CoherentRx is a private software development company
Brooke Battle
CEO/Founder of Swell Fundraising
Follow Brooke Battle:
About Swell Fundraising: Swell Fundraising provides event fundraising software solution to nonprofit organizations around the U.S.
Damian Crowe
Founder & CEO of Obillex
Damian is a chartered accountant and financial risk management expert with 20 years’ post-qualification experience, including spells with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Australia, the UK, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and US. He was also regional head of finance for the Australian Wheat Board and Quaker Oats in Australia. Damian has deep operational experience of building a transaction banking business, having worked at ABN Amro, RBS and as head of business development for CitiGroup Europe.
Follow Damian Crowe:
About Obillex: Obillex is a corporate member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers
Dave Carruthers
CEO & Founder of Voxpopme
Dave has been involved in technology businesses for the last 10 years and has been behind a number of successful startups. An entrepreneur with a passion for mobile technology he leads the VoxPopMe team.
Follow Dave Carruthers:
About One Result, Voxpopme: Voxpopme is the world’s #1 video insight solution. We build great brands, products, and experiences with agile video feedback.
Matt Morgan
CO-Founder and COO of Covalence
Matt is the COO of Covalence since 2015. He has been working for the company for 2 years.
Follow Matt Morgan:
About Covalence: Covalence is a cloud-based technology solutions platform that offers technical courses and a coding bootcamp.
James Leavesley
Founder & Chief Executive Officer of CrowdControlHQ
Follow James Leavesley:
About CrowdControlHQ: CrowdControlHQ is the social media platform to engage your audience, manage your activity, and analyse your performance.
Noel Ady
Principal Consultant and Founder of Gravity 9 Solutions
Follow Noel Ady:
About Gravity 9 Solutions: Gravity 9 Solutions combines arts and Science to help organizations create digital products.
Lee Nazari
CEO & Founder of Swoopos
Follow Lee Nazari:
About Mobile Pay Systems, Swoopos: Swoopos ia s mobile payments and electronic point-of-sale.
Jarrod Morgan
Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of ProctorU
Jarrod Morgan is a Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at Meazure Learning company. He attended University of Florida in 2002.
Follow Jarrod Morgan:
About Meazure Learning, ProctorU: ProctorU provides distance proctoring services using webcams and screen-sharing technology.
Chris Woods
Founder and CEO of CyberQ Group
Chris Woods is the Founder and CEO of CyberQ Group.
Follow Chris Woods:
About CyberQ Group, CyberSparta: CyberQ Group – We Make Your Business Cyber Resilient.
Steve Richardson
Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer of Rimilia
Steve has been around blue chip organisations for over 20 years, leading large teams through process change and efficiency. Always looking at new initiatives that add value and helping teams to achieve more with less. Working at Rimilia he is proud of our solutions, our team, our values and our customers. Away from work Steve enjoys the finer things in life, such as tasting real ales, eating good food, shopping and listening to obscure AOR music. He is a supporter of Sunderland Football Club (or Mansfield Town depending who is losing!). Steve likes to spend as much time as possible with his family and 4 children and he looks forward to retiring in California one day.
Follow Steve Richardson:
About Rimilia: Rimilia creates software finance people love by enabling tight integration between the front and back office.
Ashlee Ammons
Co-Founder & President of Mixtroz
Ashlee Ammons holds a BA in Mass Communications and Public Relations from Baldwin Wallace University. Notably, Ashlee was hired as the first intern to NBA Star LeBron James. Following graduation, Ashlee moved to New York City and established a career as an Events Producer working with an impressive list of A-Listers including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jay-Z, as well as large brands like Moet Hennessy and Coca-Cola. Much of Ashlee’s passion for Mixtroz comes from her vast knowledge of events and the integration of technology into the landscape in an effort to track analytical data while optimizing consumer experiences. Ashlee serves on the Boards of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and Tech Birmingham and is involved with community initiatives such as Black in Tech Nashville and Girls to the Moon.
Follow Ashlee Ammons:
About Mixtroz, Strategic Investment Group: The only way to increase engagement & collect data in real-time. While they mix – you learn.
Kerry Schrader
Co-Founder & CEO of Mixtroz
Kerry Schrader, Cofounder/CEO of Mixtroz, holds a BBA, MBA from Kent State University and has held both the SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. Kerry has more than 25 years of experience positively impacting the human assets of large companies including Ford, Alcoa, and Sears Holdings Corporation. Mrs. Schrader has vast experience developing programs that engage workforces with results that increase productivity and bottom-line profitability. Residing in Birmingham, AL Kerry serves on the Board of Albuquerque based Creative Startups and is the Corporate Treasurer for a Nashville-based investment group. In addition, Mrs. Schrader is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Black in Tech Nashville and the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. One of her passions includes volunteering for programs that support the education and development of girls and underrepresented children.
Follow Kerry Schrader:
About Mixtroz: The only way to increase engagement & collect data in real-time. While they mix – you learn.
Henry Porter
CEO & Founder of Bluewater Capital
Follow Henry Porter:
About Bluewater Capital: Bluewater Capital provides consulting services on using financial assets in developing businesses.
Thomas Anderson
Co-Founder & CEO of Grid Edge
Follow Thomas Anderson:
About Grid Edge: The way we use energy is changing
Daniel Wright
Co-Founder & CTO of Grid Edge
Follow Daniel Wright:
About Grid Edge: The way we use energy is changing
Will Bryant
Co-Founder of Quantalytix
Follow Will Bryant:
About Quantalytix: Real-time data aggregation and analytics for financial institutions of all sizes
Daniel Thompson
Founder of D4 Software
Follow Daniel Thompson:
About D4 Software: Software Studio based in Birmingham UK
Teck Loy Low
Founder of Elastic Navigation
Founder at Elastic Navigation
Follow Teck Loy Low:
About Elastic Navigation: Elastic is an indoor visual navigation app.
Ben Williams
Co-Founder and Chief Engineer of Spica Technologies
Ben is a great software designer and engineer with over 15 years experience of designing and implementing a wide range of technical products and solutions.
Follow Ben Williams:
About Spica Technologies: SPICA – A Nordomatic Company is a specialist IOT Systems Integrator that uses a combination of technical assets, hardware (device).
Paul Collins
Founder and Managing Director of Spica Technologies
Paul is a highly experienced, client centric technical leader, having previously founded and grown one of the UK’s most successful IBM Business Partners.
Follow Paul Collins:
About Spica Technologies: SPICA – A Nordomatic Company is a specialist IOT Systems Integrator that uses a combination of technical assets, hardware (device).
Samuel Jones
Co-Founder and Software Development Consultant of Codevate
Samuel Jones is the co-founder and software development consultant at Codevate Limited.
Follow Samuel Jones:
About Codevate: We’re an exceptional team of UK-based custom software and app developers
Oojal Jhutti
Founder of iWazat
Follow Oojal Jhutti:
About iWazat: iWazat is a smart platform that allows event organizers to quickly create web applications for their events.
Simon Kaguramamba
Co-Founder & CTO of Action Starter
Follow Simon Kaguramamba:
About Action Starter: Action Starter
David Roberts
CEO & CO-Founder of Action Starter
Follow David Roberts:
About Action Starter: Action Starter
David Roberts
CEO & CO-Founder of Action Starter
Follow David Roberts:
About Action Starter: Action Starter
Sean Nicholson
Founder and CEO of Sign Solutions
As founder and now Non Executive Director of Sign Solutions, Sean, based in Warwickshire, has been able to watch the company grow from a small seed into a blossoming tree branching out in many directions. The bulk of his efforts are spent on devising strategy, whether that be regarding the day to day running of the company or exciting new projects; Sean is always eager to introduce new ideas to the company, constantly seeking ways to expand and improve. A hands-on director, he has taken the company into the field of video interpreting with innovations including E -learning, an app for the Smartphone and a DVD for Police. Sean qualified as an interpreter in 1991 and is a registered Expert Witness. Not wishing to forget his roots, Sean still enjoys BSL interpreting assignments. He strives to work directly with the Deaf Community as much as possible, be that a 15 minute doctor’s appointment or a training course. On his precious days off, he enjoys spending time with his family, taking every opportunity to travel, and likes to wind down with a glass of wine.
Follow Sean Nicholson:
About Sign Solutions: Sign Solutions is a language and learning company, specialising in interpretation support for Deaf people
Adam Kent
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Enado
Adam is a successful entrepreneur with over 25 years’ experience in running technology-based businesses. Dynamic, visionary, enthusiastic, persuasive and energetic, he has a proven track record of creating profitable businesses that successfully fulfil gaps in the market, meet latent demand and are at the leading edge of market trends. Among his business creations, Adam founded one of the UK’s leading home automation installation companies a CCTV systems supply business and founded one of the pre-emminent manufacturers of Audio Visual racking. It is through his in-depth knowledge of these sectors that he identified the opportunity for Enado and brought its first embodiment to market.
Follow Adam Kent:
About Enado: Enado is the result of several years of planning and development.
