100 years of start-ups: Where did it all begin?
by Startacus Admin
The most prolific multinational corporations of today had to start somewhere. Years of hard work, investment and a little bit of good luck meant some of the budding startups of 100 years ago have gone on to become some of the biggest brands in the world today. But how did they do it?
The government-backed Start Up Loans Company has taken a look back at where it all began and produced an interactive timeline featuring some of the world’s major brands: Amazon, Jaguar Land Rover, IKEA, Marriot, Microsoft, Samsung, Starbucks, Tesco, Unilever, Walmart, Amstrad and Poundland.
The Start Up Loans company is a government backed organisation that provides loans between £500 and £25,000 at a 6% fixed rate per annum to new and early
The timeline shares some little-known facts and details some key turning points over the past 100 years that have shaped the businesses we know today.
For example, did you know…
- Samsung’s initial offering in 1938 was exporting dried fish, fruit and vegetables to China
- In 1990, Steve Smith opened the first Poundland thanks to a £50,000 loan from his father… and the store took in £13,000 on its first day
- In 1983, a 31-year old Bill Gates became a billionaire following the release of Microsoft Windows and the company going public
- Tesco began in 1919 when Jack Cohen opened a market stall in the East End of London and made £1 profit from sales of £4
David English, Chief Marketing Officer at The Start Up Loans Company, said:
“This timeline details the journey of some the biggest brands in the world. It just goes to show that it wasn’t always as glamorous as it is now, and often these companies started out doing something completely different.
“We wanted to show how hard work, business sense and the right amount of money can go a long way. Who knows where launching a start-up might take you?”
You can read the piece here: www.startuploans.co.uk/100-years-start-ups
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit launched by Tech Nation to help tech founders and their employees create more diverse and inclusive businesses, and provide equal opportunities for all in UK tech
Digital ID verification startup OCR Labs secures major investment to support further technology innovation and expand its operations in UK and Turkish markets
ECOncrete Wins EU H2020 Funding to Lead the “LIVING PORTS” Project to Deploy Next-Generation Port Infrastructure
"How to Scale a Startup" event on 23rd June will allow startups to explore key business areas they'll need to consider and get right if they're to move to scaleup status.
London-based financial literacy startup Strive is on a mission to teach kids about the future of money - from cryptocurrencies to saving
.jpeg)
Innovate UK and The Prince’s Trust are seeking 18-30-year-olds with ambitious business ideas that could turn into important innovations
Fancy designing your own home? Opoplan, an innovative Irish proptech startup, turns your design brief into a Custom House Plan uniquely suited to you
Karen Dunne-Squire, founder of Elation Experts, shares insights and tips that will help you develop a dynamic approach to business growth
Thinking about starting a business degree? Good prep is key - these tips will help you start off on the right foot...
RElab 2021 opens for applications from tech startups and scaleups with innovative solutions on the core themes of sustainability and construction technology
Published on: 8th August 2017
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- ECOncrete Wins EU H2020 Funding 16th Jun 2021 ECOncrete Wins EU H2020 Funding to Lead the “LIVING PORTS” Project to Deploy Next-Generation Port Infrastructure
- Calling on all 18-30 year-olds in the UK with innovative business ideas 14th Jun 2021 Innovate UK and The Prince’s Trust are seeking 18-30-year-olds with ambitious business ideas that could turn into important innovations
- 1 in 3 small businesses losing customers to maintain COVID-secure workplaces 10th Jun 2021 Latest research from iwoca reveals that COVID restrictions continue to have a huge impact on SMEs in the UK
- Lightyear, Europe’s first completely commission-free investment app set to launch 3rd Jun 2021 New fintech startup Lightyear secures major pre-seed funding and launches waiting list for its innovative investment platform
