The Startups 100, the UK’s longest-running index of top fledgling businesses, has released its 2024 list, showcasing two North East newbies.

OnHand and Settld both feature on the showcase assembled by Startups.co.uk.

onHand is an on-demand volunteering app, addressing declining volunteering rates, and Settld automates the closure and transfer of accounts after death, reducing a lengthy process to 15 minutes, at no cost.

The Startups 100 highlights the new businesses demonstrating innovative strategies, sound financial ground, market opportunities, and a robust customer base.

The North East has held the Exceptional Founder Award for two consecutive years.

This accolade recognises entrepreneurial excellence in leadership and innovation.

Last year's winner was Sanjay Lobo MBE, the founder of onHand.

This year, Vicky Wilson, the founder of Settld, was shortlisted for the honour.

To mark the publication of this year’s list, Startups.co.uk also carried out a survey of small businesses across the UK, questioning them about their outlook for 2024.

The results show an optimistic sentiment among 53 per cent of North East firms, as opposed to 16 per cent that feel pessimistic.

Startups 100 Index, running for the past sixteen years, has spanned multiple sectors over the years, acting as a predictor of the success for household names such as Monzo, Deliveroo, and Notonthehighstreet.