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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

1. 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."
2. 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.
3. 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.

Startups.co.uk is a UK-focused independent publishing platform offering business ideas, funding help and growth advice for new businesses, small businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs. It suits founders and small business owners in the UK who want practical guidance, news and tools rather than a service you sign up to — the site is a source of information, not a business service itself. Its content is written in British English and aimed squarely at the UK market.

What the site covers

The platform describes itself as providing "independent advice, tools, events and information for new businesses, small businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs." In practice, its content falls into a few recurring areas:

• Business ideas — inspiration and guidance for people deciding what to start.
• Funding help — information on finance options for new and growing businesses.
• Growth advice — practical guidance for scaling and running a small business.
• News — reporting on issues affecting UK businesses and the self-employed.
• Tools and events — resources and listings alongside the editorial content.

The kinds of articles you'll find

The homepage shows the mix of formats and topics the site publishes. Recent examples include:

• Pricing guidance — a piece on how to get product pricing right, based on the experience of an early-stage founder (Toddler Meals founder Ed van der Lande).
• Employment law preparation — HR experts and employment lawyers breaking down how to prepare for Employment Rights Act changes landing in October.
• Self-employed pensions — coverage of the finding that 96% of fully self-employed workers aren't saving into a pension, plus how to start.
• Operational realities — a report that small businesses spend 22 days a year handling cash, and why many still won't go cashless.
• Sector-specific news — for example, hospitality businesses awaiting a government decision on guaranteed hours.
• Founder experience — first-person accounts, such as MAGIC AI's Varun Bhanot on taking a first business trip as a new dad.

This range suggests the site is useful both for people at the idea stage and for owners dealing with day-to-day operational and regulatory questions.

Payment and finance content

The site has a dedicated section on taking payments, which points to practical resources for businesses handling transactions. Linked topics include:

If you're setting up how your business takes money, these pages are a starting point for comparing options — though you should check current pricing and terms directly with providers, as the site's own pages don't state prices in the material available here.

The Startups 100 index

One notable feature is the Startups 100, an annual index of UK startups. Applications for the 2027 index are open, and the site invites founders to apply for a chance to make the list. If you're running an early-stage UK business, this is a way to get visibility and recognition.

Who it's for

The site is a good fit if you are:

• Based in the UK and starting a business.
• Running an existing small business and looking for practical advice.
• An entrepreneur seeking funding information, growth guidance or sector news.
• Looking for independent editorial rather than a paid service or membership.

It's less relevant if you're outside the UK, since the funding, employment law and payment content is specific to the British market.

How to use it

There's no sign-up described in the material here — you can browse the guides, news and tools directly. A sensible approach is to start with the "Essential Guides" section for foundational topics, use the payment and finance pages when you're making operational decisions, and check the news section for regulatory changes that affect you. For anything involving current prices, rates or legal requirements, treat the site as a starting point and confirm details with the relevant provider or authority.

Startups.co.uk is a UK-focused business advice site that combines editorial guides, news, sponsored content and a flagship annual index (the Startups 100) aimed at new businesses, small businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs. Its own description frames the offer as "independent advice, tools, events and information." If you are looking for a single place to read practical guides, follow small-business news and find recognition or networking opportunities, it fits that use case. It is not a software platform or a membership community in the evidence provided, so treat it as a publishing and awards resource rather than a tool you log into.

What the site covers

The homepage and navigation point to several recurring content types:

• Essential Guides – practical, how-to style content for starting and running a business.
• News – current UK small-business and employment developments.
• Sponsored content – partner-supplied material, which should be read as promotional rather than independent.
• Startup Daddy – a first-person founder column covering the personal side of running a business.
• About us – background on the publication.

The site's own description positions this as support for "new businesses, small businesses and ambitious entrepreneurs," with an emphasis on independent advice and growth.

The Startups 100

The most concrete "event"-style resource visible on the site is the Startups 100, an annual index of UK startups. The page evidence shows applications open for the 2027 index, with the call to "throw your hat in the ring for a chance of making the list."

If you want to apply, the practical steps are:

1. Go to the Startups 100 application page on startups.co.uk.
2. Check the eligibility and entry requirements listed there (the evidence confirms applications are open for 2027 but does not detail criteria).
3. Submit your business details before the stated deadline.
4. Watch for follow-up from the Startups team if you are shortlisted or selected.

Being listed is a recognition and visibility opportunity rather than a funding award, based on the available evidence.

Tools and practical resources

The site hosts a payment-processing section with comparison and calculator resources, including:

These are editorial comparison pages and a calculator, not software you install. They are useful when you are choosing how to take payments, but you should verify current pricing directly with providers, since the site's own pages may not reflect live rates.

What to expect from the news and advice content

Recent headlines shown on the site illustrate the range:

• Job security falling to a 3.5-year low, with retail hit hardest.
• A founder column on taking a first business trip as a new parent.
• A piece on self-employed workers not saving into a pension.
• Guidance on preparing for Employment Rights Act changes.
• A founder's account of getting product pricing right.
• Analysis of the time small businesses spend handling cash.
• Hospitality businesses awaiting a government decision on guaranteed hours.

This mix shows the site leans toward UK-specific regulatory, employment and operational topics rather than generic startup motivation.

How to use it effectively

• For research: Start with Essential Guides for a topic, then check the news section for recent UK changes that affect it.
• For payment decisions: Use the card machine, POS and online payment comparison pages plus the fees calculator, but confirm final numbers with providers.
• For visibility: Apply to the Startups 100 when applications are open.
• For context: Read founder columns and news to understand current pressures on UK small businesses.

Limitations to keep in mind

The evidence does not show a paid membership, a community forum, or downloadable business-planning tools. Sponsored content is mixed into the feed, so check whether an article is editorial or paid before relying on it. Pricing and eligibility details for awards or payment providers are not fully specified here, so verify them on the relevant page before acting.

Startups.co.uk is a UK-focused small business advice site covering the practical side of starting and running a company: funding, taking payments, pricing, hiring, compliance, and day-to-day operations. It mixes evergreen guides with news, tools, and founder stories. It's most useful if you're launching or running a UK small business and want plain-English explanations of things like card processing fees, POS systems, or new employment rules — not if you're looking for US-specific tax or legal guidance.

The main content areas

Essential Guides and how-to advice

The site's core is its guides section, which walks through common startup tasks step by step. Topics include:

• Funding — finding and applying for finance, grants, and investment
• Taking payments — card machines, POS systems, online payment gateways, and a UK credit card processing fees calculator
• Pricing — how to set prices for a product or service
• Hiring and HR — contracts, employment rules, and staffing decisions
• Business setup and growth — general advice for new and small businesses

News and policy updates

A news section tracks UK small business developments, including regulatory and market changes. Examples from the site include coverage of Employment Rights Act reforms, pension saving among self-employed workers, and shifts in job security and consumer spending. This is where you'd look for "what's changing and what do I need to do about it" pieces.

Tools and calculators

Some content is interactive rather than just reading. The payment processing section includes a fees calculator alongside comparisons of card machines, POS systems, and payment gateways — useful when you're trying to estimate costs before committing to a provider.

Founder stories and expert opinion

Columns and interviews give first-hand perspectives, such as an early-stage founder explaining how he landed on the right price for his product, or a founder reflecting on running a business while parenting. These are experience-based rather than instructional.

Events and recognition

The site runs the Startups 100 index, an annual list of UK startups. Applications for the 2027 index are open, and making the list is positioned as a visibility opportunity for early-stage companies.

What it's good for — and what it isn't

How to use it

1. Start with Essential Guides if you have a specific task — pricing, payments, hiring, or funding.
2. Use the calculators and comparisons in the payments section before choosing a provider, so you're comparing on cost rather than marketing.
3. Check the news section for UK policy changes that affect employers and the self-employed.
4. Read founder stories for context on how others handled the same decisions — treat these as experience, not prescription.

One caveat: the site is editorial and UK-focused, so verify anything time-sensitive (tax rates, legal thresholds, scheme eligibility) against the official source before acting on it.

Yes — Startups.co.uk has a dedicated payment processing section aimed at UK small businesses, covering card machines, POS systems, online payment gateways, and a card processing fees calculator. It is a useful starting point if you want to compare types of payment setup and understand what drives cost, but treat it as editorial guidance rather than a single definitive ranking: you will still need to check current rates and contract terms directly with providers.

What the payment processing section covers

The site groups its payments content under a "Taking Payments" area, with these entry points:

The structure suggests the content is organised by how you take payment — in person, through a till/POS, or online — rather than by provider. That is a sensible way to narrow down your options before you start comparing quotes.

How to use it when choosing a provider

1. Decide your payment channel first. Are you taking payments face to face, online, or both? Use the card machines page for in-person, the POS page if you also need sales and stock functions, and the online payments page for ecommerce or invoicing.
2. Estimate your costs. Use the fees calculator to model UK credit card processing fees and rates. The output you need is a rough percentage or per-transaction cost at your expected volume — this is the number you take to providers.
3. Shortlist providers. Use the comparison pages to build a shortlist, then verify each provider's current pricing, contract length, and hardware costs directly, since these change and are not guaranteed by editorial content.
4. Check the fit against your business. Match contract length and hardware commitment to how long you expect to need the setup — a startup with uncertain volume has different needs from an established shop.

What it does not do

• It does not appear to offer a live quote or a single "best provider" verdict you can act on without further checks.
• Pricing signals on the site point to comparison and calculator content, not to a published price list for payment services.
• Nothing in the available material indicates the content is free of commercial relationships, so read sponsored or partner content with that in mind.

Where it fits alongside other sources

Startups.co.uk is strongest as a framing and comparison layer: it helps you understand the categories, the fee mechanics, and the questions to ask. For the final decision, combine it with:

• Direct quotes from two or three providers, using the same assumed monthly transaction volume so the comparison is fair.
• Your bank's merchant services offer, if you already have a business account.
• Any sector-specific requirements (for example, hospitality needing tableside payment or guaranteed hours implications for staffing — a topic the site also covers).

If you are at the stage of asking "which type of payment setup do I need and what should it cost?", the payments section is a reasonable first stop. If you are ready to sign a contract, go to the providers themselves.