Innovation
The UK Exit 50: The Most Successful UK Tech Exits, 2024-25
- Innovation
- Report
- 3 minutes read
HSBC Innovation Banking is proud to support the release of Founders Forum’s UK Exit 50; a crucial report highlighting the top 50 UK-headquartered companies, their exit strategies, and key data around their path to exit. The report also includes an Essential Exit Guide to help navigate the exit journey, as well as key interviews with experts and exited founders.
- The Exit 50 companies have a combined valuation of over $33B+, with an average valuation of $670m. 94% of the companies listed exited via acquisition, with 55% of acquirers based in the US.
- While 60% of the companies listed were based in London, innovation hubs like Cambridge, Oxford, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Manchester and others are listed.
- Fintech, Enterprise Software and Healthtech were the industries most represented in the overall list.
- The "Essential Exit Guide" included in the report provides guidance on common strategies and pitfalls.
The exit landscape and general market sentiment about exit paths in the UK is all too familiar. While the UK remains the epicentre of European innovation, the early success that start-ups enjoy slows as the challenge to scale and exit intensifies.
Brilliant companies are born here, but "grow up" elsewhere.
The data in this profound report reflects that reality. Acquisition has become the preferred route to exit, with some 94% of companies on the list exiting in this way. However, of these acquisitions, just 30% of businesses were acquired by companies headquartered locally. By contrast, more than half were acquired by US-headquartered companies.
This report explores key facts and provides data-driven insight, success stories, and guidance on how to navigate this complex, emotive process.
Carly Burrows, Head of Corporate Finance, HSBC Innovation Banking UK"Reports like this are vital in this process because they provide the inspiration and insights to face the complex journey of end-to-end entrepreneurship with confidence."
Any opinions expressed are merely opinions and not facts. All information in this document is for general informational purposes and not to be construed as professional advice or to create a professional relationship and the information is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Nothing in this document takes into account your company’s individual circumstances. HSBC Innovation Banking does not make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of this document and the material may not reflect the most current legal or regulatory developments. HSBC Innovation Banking disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents in this document to the fullest extent permitted by law. Nothing relating to this material should be construed as a solicitation or offer, or recommendation, to acquire or dispose of any investment or to engage in any other transaction.
