In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, a new wave of innovators and disruptors continue to address some of the planet’s most pressing challenges. This year’s 2026 Startups 100 Index, powered by Sage, shines a spotlight on these tenacious founders who refuse to back down in the face of adversity. Each of the startups on the list operates in distinct industries, from e-commerce to space exploration, fostering a spirit of optimism for a future transformed by innovation.
The Standout Winner – Burbank
Leading the pack is Burbank, a remarkable startup that has turned a daunting challenge into a groundbreaking solution: transforming customers’ smartphones into secure payment terminals. This innovative technology, known as Card-Present Over Internet (CPoI®), allows customers to tap their cards on their phones, creating a seamless payment experience that goes beyond traditional e-commerce.
CEO Justin Pike, with a significant background in transactions, highlights the hurdles they faced during development: “Our biggest challenge was finding a way to scale the most secure payment method that already exists, without breaking the way the current system works.” By constructing a zero-trust architecture and virtualizing their solution in the cloud, they ensured the banking system could manage billions of smartphones functioning as point-of-sale devices without compromising security.
After years of hard work and securing vital partnerships and £5m in seed funding, Burbank’s CPoI® technology is finally operational. Their ambition extends beyond mere payments; they envision integrating this technology into mobile banking apps and digital wallets, with the potential to significantly impact age-restricted content and secure digital identification.
Shortlist Contender – Fibe
On the shortlist is Fibe, a visionary startup that has tackled the fashion industry’s sustainability crisis head-on. With the fashion sector contributing to a staggering 10% of global carbon emissions, Fibe’s mission to create sustainable natural fibers from agricultural waste is revolutionary. By repurposing potato plants, they produce a high-quality textile alternative that requires 99% less water and generates 82% less CO2e compared to traditional cotton.
Fibe has already made substantial strides, signing a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with a major global brand and securing £1.2m in business grants. Their goal is to market licensing agreements to help companies reach their environmental goals—tackling a longstanding issue in the fashion industry.
Shortlist Contender – Neuranics
Next up is Neuranics, a startup revolutionizing the gesture recognition sector, projected to exceed USD $182.47 billion by 2032. The founders identified significant limitations in existing sensor technologies and have developed a novel approach using TMR sensor technology. This innovation allows for contactless, ultra-sensitive detection of magnetic signals from muscles and the heart, a level of precision unmatched by existing technologies.
Neuranics has gained attention in the tech arena, earning accolades such as the CES 2025 Innovation Award Honoree. With a focus on creating development kits for potential partners, they are poised to make a significant impact across various applications, from gaming to medical devices.
Shortlist Contender – Pan Galactic
Pan Galactic looks toward the stars with an ambitious goal: to create a secure digital infrastructure for the future space economy. Co-founded by four passionate individuals, they have developed GalacticOS, a quantum-safe operating system, and GalacticQB, a blockchain layer designed to ensure data integrity and communication resilience.
Bootstrapped for three years, this team has gained the attention of organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency. With a growing need for compliant technology by 2030, their solutions are timely and necessary, earning them accolades such as the UK Space Startup of the Year 2024.
Click below to discover the nominees and winners for our other Startups 100 Awards:
