FEBE Growth 100: Celebrating the Power of UK’s Fastest-Growing Founder-Led Businesses

In the dynamic landscape of British entrepreneurship, few initiatives celebrate founders and innovation like FEBE Growth 100. Standing for For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs, FEBE is a community, a celebration, and a recognition platform dedicated to highlighting the fastest-growing, founder-led businesses in the United Kingdom. Established by John Maffioli and Charlotte Quince, this vibrant network has become a symbol of ambition, resilience, and collaboration among UK entrepreneurs.

The Story Behind FEBE

The Founding Vision

FEBE was launched in 2021 by John Maffioli and Charlotte Quince, a husband-and-wife team with a shared mission — to create a club where the best founders in the UK could connect, learn, and celebrate one another. Drawing inspiration from their own entrepreneurial journeys, they sought to build a platform that is inclusive, authentic, and deeply rooted in the spirit of entrepreneurs supporting entrepreneurs.

FEBE is not just a business directory or an award show; it is a movement designed to honour the “dare-to-doers” — those who turn ideas into thriving ventures, take risks, face failures, and come back stronger. As Maffioli puts it, “Without entrepreneurs, there’s no progress, no disruption, no future.”

The Essence of the FEBE Growth 100

A Celebration of Founder-Led Success

The FEBE Growth 100 is the organisation’s flagship annual list and awards programme. It celebrates the 100 fastest-growing, founder-led, privately owned businesses in the UK, where the original founders remain actively involved in the company’s leadership.

Selection Criteria

Companies are evaluated based on:

• Revenue growth measured through a two-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

• Profitability in the latest financial year.

• Turnover typically between £3 million and £200 million.

• Independence, meaning they are not subsidiaries of large corporates or publicly listed entities.

The Growth 100 represents the best of the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem — businesses that have achieved remarkable success while retaining their founder-led DNA.

Beyond Rankings: The Heartbeat of FEBE

More Than Just a List

FEBE’s founders insist that the Growth 100 is “so much more than just a list.” It is a community of ambitious minds, united by shared values of innovation, collaboration, and authenticity. Every year, FEBE brings these founders together at exclusive gatherings, including the legendary annual celebration at Abbey Road Studios in London — an event filled with energy, stories, and inspiration.

A Supportive Founder Community

What sets FEBE apart is its ethos. There is no cost to be listed in the Growth 100 or to attend FEBE’s celebration events. This accessibility reflects the founders’ belief that every entrepreneur should have an equal opportunity to be recognised. FEBE’s purpose is not profit-driven; it’s community-driven.

The World of FEBE

A Club Built by and for Entrepreneurs

FEBE has become a powerful ecosystem that connects visionaries across sectors — from tech and e-commerce to food, manufacturing, and design. It fosters genuine conversations, friendships, and collaborations between founders who understand each other’s challenges and triumphs.

Authenticity and Inspiration

The world of FEBE is described as “authentic, supportive, informal and completely real.” The club encourages members to share their journeys honestly — including the failures, setbacks, and lessons learned along the way. In a culture that often hides mistakes, FEBE provides a safe space for entrepreneurs to be open and vulnerable, turning every failure into a lesson for success.

Signature FEBE Experiences

1. FEBE Legends

FEBE Legends events unite current Growth 100 founders with entrepreneurs whose businesses have reached extraordinary heights. These gatherings offer rare insights into the real stories behind success — the decisions, missteps, and recoveries that shaped iconic companies. The sessions are candid, motivational, and deeply human, allowing founders to learn from those who have “been there and done that.”

2. FEBE FK/UPs

FEBE challenges the British tendency to hide failures. Its FK/UPs events are designed for founders to share their biggest mistakes openly. These sessions are raw, refreshing, and deeply inspiring, reinforcing the belief that failure is an essential ingredient in the recipe for success.

3. FEBE Cribs

FEBE Cribs offers a behind-the-scenes look at the workspaces of Growth 100 companies. From creative studios to open-plan offices with dogs and gym pods, FEBE Cribs celebrates the environments that nurture innovation and collaboration. It is a showcase of how culture, creativity, and design drive productivity and growth.

Founder Stories: Lessons from the Best

FEBE’s Founder Stories series dives into the personal and professional journeys of some of the UK’s most exciting entrepreneurs. These stories highlight not only financial success but also resilience, adaptability, and leadership. Popular features have included:

• How I Built a Business with Baby Spice

• Eight Reasons Why Huel Hit £100 Million in Six Years

• “You Gotta Have Fun! That’s Why We Bought a Racehorse.”

Each narrative reinforces FEBE’s mission: to showcase real people building extraordinary businesses with heart, creativity, and courage.

Meet the Founders

John Maffioli

John Maffioli is a serial entrepreneur and the creative force behind FEBE. A graduate of the University of Nottingham, he has long been passionate about building communities for founders. Maffioli’s leadership style is characterised by energy, empathy, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of entrepreneurship. His vision for FEBE is to remove barriers, celebrate ambition, and champion the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Charlotte Quince

Charlotte Quince, co-founder of FEBE and the FEBE Growth 100, is equally instrumental in shaping the organisation’s ethos. A graduate of the University of Bath, she brings strategic direction, creativity, and inclusivity to the club. Together with Maffioli, she ensures FEBE remains grounded, authentic, and driven by the idea of celebrating founders, not corporates.

FEBE at a Glance

Impact on the UK Business Landscape

The FEBE Growth 100 has quickly become a hallmark of credibility and inspiration within the UK business community. By focusing on founder-led companies rather than large corporates, FEBE celebrates the very spirit that drives economic progress — creativity, risk-taking, and innovation.

The initiative highlights businesses that continue to thrive in uncertain times, proving that the UK’s entrepreneurial heart remains strong. For many, being listed in the Growth 100 is not just a recognition of revenue growth but a badge of honour, symbolising integrity, leadership, and resilience.

Conclusion: The Spirit of “For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs”

The FEBE Growth 100 is far more than an award; it is a movement. It recognises those who turn dreams into businesses, challenges into opportunities, and failures into comebacks. Founded by John Maffioli and Charlotte Quince, FEBE continues to redefine how Britain celebrates its entrepreneurs — with authenticity, inclusivity, and heart.

By removing financial barriers, amplifying genuine stories, and fostering deep connections, FEBE stands as a true testament to the power of entrepreneurship. In every sense, it embodies its motto:
For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs.

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