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 Edinburgh 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.
Abesh Thakur
Co-Founder and CEO of Two Big Ears Ltd
Abesh spent two years in a Fortune 500 company as a Mainframe developer, before deciding to quit and pursue a Masters degree in Acoustics and Music Technology from the prestigious University of Edinburgh. Post completion of his degree, he co-founded Two Big Ears, with the goal of creating easy to use and effective audio toolkits, which would help developers create more immersive experience without having to worry about the Maths behind all the audio magic. He takes a deep interest in all things tech and progressive deathcore bands, and utilises his spare time in teaching Maths to Primary and Secondary school kids.
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About Two Big Ears Ltd: Two Big Ears is a Scottish company specialising in creating efficient audio toolkits for game and virtual reality developers.
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Doug Stephenson
Founder and CEO of TravelNest
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About TravelNest: TravelNest is an advertising optimisation platform for holiday rental owners.
Mostafa Afgani
Co-Founder and CTO of pureLiFi
Mostafa is a respected hardware and firmware engineer. A chief architect of VLC hardware platforms over the past three years, Mostafa holds three patents and has filed for two more in the VLC field. Prior to co-founding pureLiFi he developed sensitive signal anomaly detection hardware for Agilent and held a research position at DoCoMo labs, Munich, Germany. Mostafa has BSc and MSc degrees in electronics from Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany and a PhD in communications and signal processing from the University of Edinburgh.
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About pureLiFi: pureLiFi develops technology for communication networks that integrates data and lighting utility infrastructures.
Tony Davey
Founder & CEO of Red61
Tony has been the driving force behind the company, from developing the original software concept to generating interest and building sales to more than £2m. Tony has 31 years’ experience in the ticketing business ranging from managing venue box offices to running ticket agencies as well as being involved in running venues and events.
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About Red61: Red61 is a successful Edinburgh-based ticketing software supplier.
Ben Panter
CEO & Founder of Blackford Analysis
Ben Panter is a CEO & Founder at Blackford Analysis.
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About Blackford Analysis: Blackford Analysis develops software solutions for the worldwide medical, oil and gas, and defense industries.
Tughrul Arslan
Co-Founder and Chief Scientist of Sensewhere
Tughrul Arslan has held the Chair of Integrated electronic Systems at the University of Edinburgh. Arslan is an internationally recognized researcher in the design of low power systems and reconfigurable technology. He has been involved in two Proof of Concept projects concluded with a successful formation of 2 companies. He is co-inventor of a number of Sofant patents. Since 1989 he has carried out research into low power system architectures, ranging from circuits to sensors, and reconfigurable technology. He has authored more than 300 journal and conference articles.
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About Sensewhere, University of Edinburgh: Sensewhere provide hyper-local indoor positioning technology and applications for mobile devices.
Zankar Sevak
Co-Founder and Vice President of Sensewhere
Zankar Sevak serves as Vice President of Engineering at sensewhere Limited. Zankar Sevak is responsible for designing and developing the main GNSS application and support software for GNSS devices. He is the Principle Inventor of sensewhere proprietary Assisted GNSS technology and has worked at sensewhere for three years.
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About Sensewhere: Sensewhere provide hyper-local indoor positioning technology and applications for mobile devices.
Jim Thompson
Co-Founder & CEO of Cogbooks
Jim has a strong track record in bringing new technology products to market. It’s something he’s done successfully for Thermo Electron and Applied Materials, creating products that reached $100m+ in annual sales. Jim has extensive international experience in Asia, the US and Europe.
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About Cogbooks: CogBooks is an adaptive web-based learning platform.
Colin Hewitt
Co-Founder & CEO of Float
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About Float: Float is a SaaS based real-time financial intelligence solution for small businesses to forecast short and long-term cash flow.
Michael Berger
CTO & Founder of Speech Graphics
Michael is a linguist, speech scientist and software engineer who has been a pioneering expert in the field of speech animation since 1995. He helped develop the first-ever automated talking head and co-authored a book on the subject, before moving on to the challenge of highly realistic synthesis of facial dynamics. He founded a speech animation research business in the US, and was granted a US patent on static and dynamic 3D facial reconstruction. He is also currently affiliated with the Centre for Speech Technology Research at the University of Edinburgh.
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About Speech Graphics: Speech Graphics delivers pioneering facial animation technology to the entertainment industry.
Dr Javid Khan
Founder of Holoxica
Founder of Holoxica Ltd, a high tech startup working on holographic 3D visualisation including digital holograms and holographic displays. Javid Khan founded Holoxica in 2008 to commercialise the results of his research in Photonics Engineering on Holographic 3D displays at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Holoxica’s R&D activities focus on naturally viewable (glassess-free) dynamic 3D displays. Holoxica also offers custom 3D digital hologram design and production services for professionals markets including medical imaging, scientific visualisation and engineering design. Over 23 years’ experience in microelectronics, photonics and displays. Javid holds a EngD (Engineering Doctorate) in Photonics plus MEng and MSc degrees in Microelectronics and Telecoms Engineering.
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About Holoxica: Holoxica is an award-winning high-tech company specializing in holographic 3D visualization technologies.
Georgia Stewart
Co-Founder & CEO of Tumelo
Georgia Stewart is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tumelo.
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About Tumelo: Tumelo is an impact-focused financial technology firm with the mission of giving every investor a voice.
Andrew Wallace
Co Founder of SatSense
Andrew has a successful commercial and general management record developing and launching new technologies and services. He has worked mainly in electronics, sensors and telecoms, focusing on product management and strategic business development. He has lived in 3 continents and speaks three languages.
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About Pyreos, SatSense: SatSense is a spin-out company using software to detect the deterioration of building foundations.
Alex Heneveld
Co-Founder & CTO of Cloudsoft Corporation
Alex brings twenty years experience designing software solutions in the enterprise, start-up, and academic sectors. Alex was with Enigmatec Corporation where he led the development of what is now the Monterey® Middleware Platform™. He founded PocketWatch Systems, commercialising results from his doctoral research. Alex holds a PhD (Informatics) and an MSc (Cognitive Science) from the University of Edinburgh and an AB (Mathematics) from Princeton University.
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About Cloudsoft Corporation: Cloudsoft develop powerful automation software, enabling customers in industries like banking, finance, energy and defence to orchestrate and govern services across complex hybrid IT environments.
Joseph McElmeel
CEO / Co-Founder of SymbaSync
Joseph McElmeel is co-founder, CEO, and Head of Product at SymbaSync. Joseph McElmeel believes in creating HR software that removes bias and provides employees equal opportunity. Working in newspapers, music, entertainment, education, and software, Joseph McElmeel and his teams have achieved the following recognition to date: ●“1998 Leo Kelly Spirit Award for Outstanding Achievement,” – USA Today/Gannett ● “2000 RIAA Platinum Record,” Poison’s Greatest Hits 1986-1996 – Capitol Records ● “2001 (8x) RIAA Platinum Record,” Steve Miller Band’s Greatest Hits 1974-1978 – Capitol Records ● “2002 RIAA Platinum Record,” The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds – Capitol Records ● “2002 Team Leader Award: Top Corporate Fundraiser,” American Heart Association ● “2009 #1 Pop-Punk Artist-Japan,” Billboard-Japan Music Awards ● “2010-2014 (5x) Best Business Award: Advertising, Marketing and Event Practices,” Musical Artist Enterprises, Inc. – Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce ● “2014 U.K. Finalist,” – KPMG Case Study Competition ● “2015 Global Finalist,” – Argos Enterprise Software Competition ● “2016 Trelawney Burgoyne Prize for Academic Performance and School Impact,” – University of Edinburgh Business School ● “2017 #1 Recruitment Software Platform,” SymbaSync, Ltd – SME News ● “2018 #1 Scottish Enterprise Most Innovative Recruitment Platform,” SymbaSync, Ltd. – SME News ● “2019 Nominee for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards,” SymbaSync, Ltd. – Nominated by RBS Bank ● “2020 HR Software Company of the Year,” SymbaSync, Ltd. – Corporate Livewire Magazine ● “2021 Top U.K. Project Management Companies,” SymbaSync, Ltd. – Welp Magazine
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About SymbaSync: SymbaSync creates instant access to up-to-date employee skills and interests to source for temporary and permanent project teams.
Maciej Zurawski
Founder and CEO of Musemantik
Maciej is an entrepreneur and technologist with an interdisciplinary background in science, technology and arts. He has 20+ years of software development experience. Maciej believes that digital technology should be a force for good, and that mobile app innovations are the ideal way to harvest and unleash human goodness. He is passionate about creating intelligent mobile apps for social good, as well as for physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Maciej loves building innovations which transform society and alleviate suffering.
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About Musemantik: Musemantik delivers digital solutions for healthcare and wellbeing.
Ben Schogler
Co-Founder of SKOOG Inc.
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About SKOOG Inc.: SKOOG is a Children’s Early Learning Interactive platform that delivers a metaverse of insanely interactive content experiences.
David Skulina
Co-Founder of SKOOG Inc.
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About SKOOG Inc.: SKOOG is a Children’s Early Learning Interactive platform that delivers a metaverse of insanely interactive content experiences.
David Skulina
Co-Founder of SKOOG Inc.
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About SKOOG Inc.: SKOOG is a Children’s Early Learning Interactive platform that delivers a metaverse of insanely interactive content experiences.
Leah Hutcheon
Founder & CEO of Appointedd
Leah Hutcheon is the founder and CEO of Appointedd, an Edinburgh-based startup revolutionising the way small businesses sell their timeslot appointments online. From personal trainers to massage therapists, serviced offices to large corporations, Appointedd enables online booking on any device in any timezone. Appointedd offers businesses access to CRM, marketing and business management tools, and fits seamlessly with 25+ two-way integrations. Appointedd has launched the world’s first truly multi-timezone online booking system, enabling people to take bookings across different timezones seamlessly. Leah is a proud Ambassador for Women’s Enterprise Scotland, Director of Future Leaders for Entrepreneurial Scotland and #ScotEDGE Award winner. An Entrepreneurial Spark supported company, Appointedd was featured in BBC documentary, The Entrepreneurs. – See more at: https://leah.appointedd.com/#sthash.9u1vWztJ.dpuf
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About Appointedd: Appointedd is a cutting-edge online booking and scheduling solution that makes it easier for you to connect with your customers.
Paul Gardiner
CEO & Founder of Eoovi
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About Eoovi: Eoovi is a Global Video Platform that allows small to large video providers access to our unique compression software.
Gerry O’Neill
Founder & CEO of Curo Compensation
Gerry O’Neill joined CURO as Co-founder and CEO in 2011.
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About Cognitive Geology, Curo Compensation, Vebnet Holdings: Curo4Comp is a secure SaaS solution that enables you to get maximum impact from your compensation spend.
Harry Boisseau
Co-Founder and CEO of Citizen Ticket
Harry Boisseau founder and CEO at Citizen Ticket.
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About Citizen Ticket: The simple & secure future of ticketing
Ashutosh Natraj
CEO & CoFounder of Vidrona
Oxford University Researcher turned entrepreneur with 9 years of experience in academia and industry across the world such as IBM Research. Ash holds a PhD in Robotics and Computer Vision for UAVs(Distinction), Erasmus Mundus (ViBOT) scholar with 3 Masters in Robotics and Computer Vision.
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About Vidrona, Vine Rangers: Vidrona is a British AI Based Predictive Prescriptive Analytics Company for the Utilities. It helps utilities to increase RoI.
Bruce Ramsay
Founder & CTO of Cyan Forensics
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About Cyan Forensics: Cyan Forensics sells software to help police, social media, and cloud providers find & block harmful content from pedophiles and terrorists.
Ian Stevenson
Founder & CEO of Cyan Forensics
I am an experienced start-up executive with an excellent track record as a management team member, non-exec director and consultant. I am a Saltire Fellow, and have an excellent academic background including a 1st class degree from Edinburgh University. I have experience working in sectors including software, electronics, semiconductors, telecommunications, medical devices, optics, sub-sea survey, and electronic payment security.
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About Cyan Forensics, Salient Point Consulting Ltd: Cyan Forensics sells software to help police, social media, and cloud providers find & block harmful content from pedophiles and terrorists.
Bob Lawson
Director, Co-Founder of Kumulos
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About Kumulos: Kumulos is the intelligent personalized mobile messaging platform helping brands better engage and communicate with customers
Keith Neilson
CEO and Co-Founder of Craneware
Keith Neilson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Craneware.
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About Craneware: Craneware provides automated revenue integrity solutions to improve financial performance in healthcare organizations.
Daniel Rodgers
Founder & CEO of QikServe
Daniel is a serial entrepreneur involved in a number of ventures before seeing an opportunity to disrupt global hospitality with digital self-service. Daniel has delivered on market opportunities, such as kiosk, to ensure QikServe is on the digital pathways that lead to mobile self-service.
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About QikServe: QikServe is the enterprise platform for guest self-service in hospitality.
Howard Baker
Co-Founder and Non-Executive Director of Powerphotonic
Howard Baker received B.Sc.in Physics and Ph.D. in Laser Physics from Manchester University. Postdoctoral research at Manchester was on pulsed iodine photo-dissociation lasers. In 1980, he became a Lecturer in Applied Physics at Hull University, with research on mercury halide and TEA CO2 lasers and magnetic switching circuits for electrical pulse generation. In 1987, he became Senior Lecturer in Physics at Heriot-Watt University allowing research specialisation in both laser physics and laser engineering. He played a leading role in development of scalable lasers with RF discharge excitation, and CO2 planar waveguide and array lasers were pioneered. The work aided the establishment of a currently successful laser manufacturer in the UK. This expertise in the new CO2 laser technology led to applications research on laser drilling of circuit boards, machining of unfired LTCC ceramic laminations and precision micro-machining and polishing of silica optics. His main interest has been in high power diode lasers, used directly or as pump units for solid-state lasers. A novel diode pumping scheme led to world-leading performance from planar waveguide solid-state lasers. He devised a new technique for fabricating optics to correct the poor beam quality of diode laser bars, combining a novel wavefront measurement technique with custom laser micro-machining. He co-founded PowerPhotonic Ltd, aimed at commercialising this process. Current research continues on the use of laser direct-writing techniques in optics manufacture, and application of laser-cut optics in the general area of high average power industrial diode lasers. A new area is ceramic technology research on vacuum sintered, transparent laser materials for solid-state laser amplifiers and laser-machined LTTC ceramic substrate technology for diode laser packaging.
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About Heriot-Watt University, Powerphotonic: Powerphotonic designs and fabricates freeform refractive micro-optics for laser beam correction and beamforming.
Laura Sullivan
Founder of Larosco
Laura Sullivan is a Founder at Larosco.
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About Information Apps Ltd, Larosco: Larosco is a provider of innovative recommendation and referral digital marketing solutions for the retail and recruitment industry sectors.
Daniel de Bruin
Founder of MDP Labs
Founder at MDP Labs.
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About MDP Labs: Software, App and IoT development company
Karel de Bruin
Founder of MDP Labs
Founder at MDP Labs
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About MDP Labs: Software, App and IoT development company
Andy Muir
Co-Founder & CEO of Coach Logic
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About Coach Logic: Coach Logic is an online video analysis and feedback platform built by sports coaches for sports coaches.
Mark Cairns
CPO | Co-Founder of Coach Logic
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About Coach Logic: Coach Logic is an online video analysis and feedback platform built by sports coaches for sports coaches.
Benjamin Durrenberger
Founder of Signum Audio
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About Signum Audio: Developers of cutting-edge audio software that delivers an incredibly user-friendly experience and superior sound quality.
Nik Plevan
Founder and Managing Director of eTalent
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About eTalent: eTalent gives businesses access to an effective recruitment tool which includes personality and behavioural profiling.
Adrian Binzaru
Co-Founder of Cademy
Adrian is the co-founder of Cademy.io – an SaaS enabled marketplace for local courses and workshops.
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About Cademy: Cademy is a SaaS enabled marketplace for local education services such as workshops, courses, CPDs, certification programs and degrees.
Artur Binzaru
Co-Founder of Cademy
Enterpreneur
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About Cademy: Cademy is a SaaS enabled marketplace for local education services such as workshops, courses, CPDs, certification programs and degrees.
Artur Binzaru
Co-Founder of Cademy
Enterpreneur
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About Cademy: Cademy is a SaaS enabled marketplace for local education services such as workshops, courses, CPDs, certification programs and degrees.
David Meikle
Founder of LogicalSpark
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About LogicalSpark, SquadScout: Technology delivery consultancy, complex software engineering and investments.
Allan Nelson
CEO & Co-Founder of For-Sight
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About : Hotel CRM, CDP and Guest Engagement
Aravinda Korala
Founder & Chief Executive Officer of KAL
Aravinda Korala is the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of KAL.He attend to the The The University of Edinburgh in 1979.
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About KAL: KAL is a global software company dedicated solely to multi-vendor ATM software.
