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 Glasgow based Founder operating in the Manufacturing 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.
Gareth Maker
Co-Founder & Managing Director of M Squared Lasers
Gareth Maker attained a first class honours degree in Physics from Southampton University in 1986. The laser research group at Southampton is one of the largest and most prestigious in the UK, and as part of this group Gareth completed PhD research into laser development in 1989, producing many firsts in the field of diode-pumped solid-state lasers. He then spent a year working on laser research within the new Optical Research Centre (ORC), also based in Southampton. This was part of a government initiative to create centres of excellence for research within UK universities, and as such the ORC represented a £10M investment by the UK government. In 1991 he co-founded Microlase Optical Systems Ltd. Gareth then took the company from a startup to one having a turnover of around £3M and a worldwide reputation for excellence. The technical and financial success of this business eventually led to a trade sale to Coherent Inc (one of the world’s largest laser companies and NASDAQ listed) in 2000. Gareth continued as joint Managing Director until 2002, at which point the business had grown to 50 employees, had achieved a turnover of £7M, and occupied purpose-built prestigious premises within Glasgow, Scotland. He then acted as a technical consultant to several photonics companies, helping them to remain forward looking both in their R&D activities and in key areas of product design and manufacturing.
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About M Squared Lasers: M Squared Lasers develops and manufactures next-generation lasers and photonic instruments.
Graeme Malcolm
Co-Founder & CEO of M Squared Lasers
Graeme’s interest in laser technology began at Strathclyde University with a degree in ‘Laser Physics and Optoelectronics’ followed by PhD research into Compact Solid-State Laser Sources. Shortly after he co-founded his first company Microlase Optical Systems, which went on to catch the eye of global laser company ‘Coherent Inc.’. Today, Graeme leads M Squared Lasers to specialise in novel laser solutions for use in a myriad of academic and commercial applications. Here, he develops a range of world-class laser and photonics systems, which are not only ‘one of a kind, they are critical enablers in fundamental physics research, underpinning many world firsts. The rapid growth of M Squared, as evidenced by its place in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50, Deloitte EMEA Fast 500 and Sunday Times Tech Track 100, goes to show how important laser technology is to unlocking the future secrets of science. Graeme is a visiting Professor and Entrepreneur in Residence at the Institute of Photonics at the University of Strathclyde and a Member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy of Scotland. He also sits on the advisory board of the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics. He has authored and co-authored 62 papers and conference proceedings and has secured 14 active patent families with 52 individual fillings worldwide. Earlier this year, Graeme was awarded an OBE for his services to Science and Innovation.
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About M Squared Lasers, University of Strathclyde: M Squared Lasers develops and manufactures next-generation lasers and photonic instruments.
Alex Papanikolaou
Founder and Technical Director of Freedom One Life
Born with Athetoid cerebral palsy, from a young age, I have been determined that whatever physical difference I have, it isn’t going to stop me from living and experiencing life in the way that I want, and from doing the things I want to do in the way that I want to do them. My experiences and insights have led me to starting Freedom One Life, to inspire and empower people living with a physical disability. Enabling people around the world to expect and demand the same standard of living and mobility that a non-disabled person takes for granted. The first product is a game changing next generation power wheelchair. I have worked in national retail stores, driven around the country and travelled around the world with my power wheelchair. I have consulted internationally on access, equality, inclusiveness and I’ve been part of progressive change towards creating more inclusive environments.
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About Freedom One Life: Redefining mobility
Raj Sark
Founder of Connect-In Ltd
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About Connect-In Ltd: Connect is a Company Overview Innovatively Scottish technology-driven product development.
Vincenz Klemt
Co-Founder of Connect-In Ltd
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About Connect-In Ltd: Connect is a Company Overview Innovatively Scottish technology-driven product development.
Vincenz Klemt
Co-Founder of Connect-In Ltd
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About Connect-In Ltd: Connect is a Company Overview Innovatively Scottish technology-driven product development.
James Gourlay
Founder & Technical Director of Design LED Products
James Gourlay is a Founder & Technical Director at Design LED Products.
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About Design LED Products: Design LED Products specializes in the design of thin printed lightguide products.
Fi Scott
Founder of Make Works
Fi is a manufacturing geek and the founder of Make Works, which she started in her final year studying product design at Glasgow School of Art. She spends her time between design and strategy for the organisation, but her favourite thing to do is still visiting the makers, manufacturers and industrial estates of Scotland.
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About Make Works: Make Works are factory finders for makers, designers and artists.
Fi Scott
Founder of Make Works
Fi is a manufacturing geek and the founder of Make Works, which she started in her final year studying product design at Glasgow School of Art. She spends her time between design and strategy for the organisation, but her favourite thing to do is still visiting the makers, manufacturers and industrial estates of Scotland.
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About Make Works: Make Works are factory finders for makers, designers and artists.
