The Entrepreneurs

Knowing that most technical brands do not focus specifically on caps, Mike Giles and Jeremy Bresnen set out to design the best running cap on the market. The breathable, lightweight, fast-drying caps are designed to look just as good on the run, as with streetwear on the weekend. And with its “Everybody Run” philosophy, Ciele has become the preferred cap of runners around the world.

Cities are becoming more desirable places to live but renting a flat is still a stressful experience. Ryan Prince, co-founder of Uncle, has set out to change all that. His property-management service (which he co-founded with his father) has found success by regarding its tenants as customers. The company, owned by Canadian property developer Realstar, now has three properties in London and a building in central Manchester.

With a shared sense of style and a desire to turn their passion for design into something tangible, Oscar Phillips and Sheriff-Deen Showobi set out to craft the ideal sunglasses. Inspired by vintage frames, they created Oscar Deen. The east London natives built their brand over three years and launched it earlier this year. Phillips works full-time at a recruitment agency, while Showobi works for an advertising agency, meaning Oscar Deen represents the ultimate side hustle.

Sylvain Labs was launched in 2010 in the so-called ‘innovation consulting’ market – somewhere between a creative agency and business consultancy. At its heart is a focus on strategy, helping companies to develop and launch new products and solidify their brands, while communicating their purpose and ethos. With offices in Manhattan, Amsterdam and Richmond, Virginia, the Certified B Corporation has an extensive client list including GM, Google, Samsung, Nike, Airbnb and LVMH.

Amelia Singer has carried a passion for sharing her love of wines throughout her life. Wine-and-cheese events in university and small tasting pop-ups for friends quickly turned into a career for the self-starter, who is now a successful television host, columnist, consultant, educator and events host.

Debbie Wosskow is co-founder of The Allbright, a members’ club aimed at celebrating, connecting and empowering women at work. Previously she was the founder and CEO of home-exchange platform Love Home Swap; she also sits on London mayor Sadiq Khan’s Business Advisory Board.

Ed Barry knows the value of a good cup of coffee in building a community. After five years living between Dublin and New York, he was looking to mix his experience in both cities with the café culture in New Zealand, where his parents are from. This led to the launch of Over Under Coffee two years ago in the heart of Earl’s Court in London. Serving cocktails, brunch and regularly hosting live events and pop-ups have helped the brand establish a loyal following – and also enabled Barry to open a second location in Soho.

East London label LNDR makes sophisticated women’s clothing for the gym or high street. Launched by Sarah Donnelly, Donna Harris and Joanna Turner in 2015, the brand is stocked at Selfridges, Net-a-Porter and Le Bon Marché. Today, Harris and Turner are here to tell us about growing a brand known for quality products and customer care in a crowded market.

Adel Zakout is an architect-turned-entrepreneur and the co-founder of Clippings, a digital platform for interior designers that allows them to easily source products, from furniture to light fittings. Adel launched the company with Tom Mallory back in 2014 and it has since expanded fast. Earlier this month the company announced that it had closed a $15m (€12.7m) Series B investment round – led by Farfetch, Moda Operandi and Rent the Runway.

This week we’re taking an in-depth look at how a host of start-ups are bringing more people into the worlds of personal finance and investment. We meet four entrepreneurs who are making the world of finance easier to understand and engaging people who wouldn’t ordinarily invest their money. We hear from Max Rofagha, founder of Finimize, Ben Stanway and Charlie Mortimer, co-founders of Moneybox, and Emilie Bellet, founder of Vestpod.