What is the Startups 100 and how do I apply?
The Startups 100 is an annual index of UK startups run by Startups.co.uk, and applications for the 2027 edition are currently open. You apply by submitting your business through the Startups 100 application page on startups.co.uk. It is aimed at founders who want their company considered for a published list that the site describes as a chance to "throw your hat in the ring for a chance of making the list."
What the Startups 100 actually is
Startups.co.uk describes itself as a resource offering "independent advice, tools, events and information for new businesses, small businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs." The Startups 100 sits within that remit as a recurring editorial index rather than a funding programme or a membership scheme.
Two things follow from that:
- It is a listing and recognition exercise, not an award with a cash prize or investment attached, based on what the site states.
- Being included is a selection outcome — you apply, and the editorial team decides who makes the list. Applying does not guarantee a place.
The current call to action on the site reads: "Applications are now open for the 2027 Startups100 Index. Throw your hat in the ring for a chance of making the list."
Who should consider applying
The index is framed around startups and ambitious early-stage businesses in the UK. If your goal is visibility — press coverage, credibility with customers or investors, or a citable "as featured in" line — this is the kind of listing worth the time it takes to apply.
It is less useful if you are looking for:
- Grant funding or investment (the index is not described as providing either)
- A formal accreditation or certification
- Guaranteed media coverage beyond the list itself
How to apply
- Go to startups.co.uk and find the Startups 100 application entry point. The site currently surfaces it as "Apply to the Startups 100 2027."
- Complete the application for the 2027 index. The site does not publish the full question set in the material available here, so treat the form itself as the source of truth for what is asked.
- Submit before the window closes. The site states applications are open but does not specify a closing date in the content available, so check the application page directly for the deadline.
Expected result: your business is entered for consideration for the 2027 Startups 100 list.
What to check before you spend time on it
- Deadline and eligibility criteria — confirm these on the application page, since the available site content does not spell them out.
- What you are committing to — if selected, you may be asked for further information or participation in coverage. The site does not detail this, so ask if it matters to you.
- Whether the timing suits you — the index is annual and tied to a specific year (2027 here), so a business at a very early idea stage may get more from applying in a later cycle.
The honest value assessment
The site positions the Startups 100 as a chance to make a recognised list, and the surrounding content on startups.co.uk is built around practical founder concerns — pricing, hiring, pensions for the self-employed, regulatory changes. That tells you the audience: UK small business owners and early-stage founders. A place on the index puts your company in front of that audience and gives you a legitimate line for your own marketing.
What it does not do, based on the available information, is hand you funding, customers, or a growth plan. Treat it as a distribution and credibility channel, not a growth strategy in itself.