Spacebands Shines as One of the UK’s Most Promising Startups in 2026

Original article covered in Yahoo News.

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Four Welsh businesses named in top 100 startups guide

Jo Barnes

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Four Welsh businesses have been named among the UK’s most promising startups.

Burbank, Hair Syrup, spacebands, and Zero Fintech all appeared in this year’s Startups 100 Index, which celebrates emerging businesses demonstrating innovation, growth, and market impact.

Payment technology company Burbank, founded by Justin Pike in 2021, placed in the top 10 and also won the new Startups 100 Tech Award.

Justin Pike, founder and CEO of Burbank, said: "It is a fantastic recognition of the work we have put into bringing the tap and PIN experience into digital channels for the first time with CPoI, and we are proud to be named among the UK’s top startups."

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Hair Syrup, a beauty brand founded in 2020, offers affordable, high-quality haircare products.

Lucie Macleod, founder and director of Hair Syrup, said: "It’s an incredible honour to see Hair Syrup featured on the Startups 100 Index."

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spacebands, based in Cardiff and founded in 2020, develops wearable health and safety devices for the workplace.

Ronan Finnegan, co-founder of spacebands, said: "I am delighted that spacebands has been selected to join the index this year."

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Zero Fintech, another Welsh entrant, offers a money app designed to help users reduce their carbon footprint.

This article was also covered in Business News Wales.