Dragon Deborah recognises UK's smartest small businesses

Online, February 23, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Natural skincare for men, festival refreshments, chartered private jets, weight-loss bootcamps and Italian-style ice-cream parlours. These are just some of the impressive enterprises chosen by a judging panel including Deborah Meaden and Bebo Founder Michael Birch to form Smarta.com's inaugural 'Smarta 100'.

The Smarta 100 is the ultimate business accolade, recognizing the UK's smartest small businesses. Smarta.com has uncovered remarkable companies who have gone the extra mile to differentiate themselves from the market or found clever ways to compete, from their marketing plan to their ethical stance. The result is a fascinating insight into the unique business ideas that are thriving in the current economic climate, from attending a skip-hop workshop, to buying a garden studio or renting a car-parking space at a neighbour's home.

Smarta.com conducted a survey of the winners and found some interesting statistics about the habits and attitudes of successful entrepreneurs:

· Only 19% read a printed newspaper but 59% regularly use Twitter
· Being their own boss and realising an idea is a much bigger motivation than making money (only 16% are in it for the cash!)
· Over 50% financed their businesses with savings
· 44% of Smarta 100 founders plan to vote for the Conservatives in the next election, compared with 13% who will vote Labour and 10% who will vote Lib Dem

Deborah Meaden commented:

"Discovering great new businesses is a passion of mine as is encouraging businesses to think and work better. The Smarta 100 does both of these things - and celebrates the best of British business at the same time. I was delighted to see ambitious people saving hard and raising finances to turn their ideas into flourishing businesses "

Smarta.com founder Sháá Wasmund said:

"Socially conscious, disruptive businesses that are not afraid to challenge the status quo are being set up in the four corners of the country. I founded Smarta to make sure these enterprises are supported at any stage of development. The results speak for themselves - the Smarta 100 list is a collection of remarkable success stories."
The full results and details of the winning companies can be found at smarta.com/smarta100.