A Bristol baby rocker company has been named one of the fastest-growing businesses in the country. Rockit was founded in 2016 by two dads – Dr Nick Webb and Matt Dyson – in a bid to soothe their children to sleep.
The rocket-shaped device was launched the following year and within a few months was stocked by John Lewis and JoJo Maman Bébé as well as over 130 independent UK retailers. Fast forward to 2024, and Rockit exports to more than 40 countries and the business has sold 800,000 rockers worldwide.
The company was recognised by the Fast Growth Index, which is run in partnership with UBS Wealth Management. Drawing on detailed research and a business community of over 50,000 entrepreneurs, it publishes lists of the 50 fastest-growing firms in each of the seven nations and regions of the UK.
Rockit was named the fastest-growing firm in the South of England. It received its award at a ceremony in Bloomsbury, London.
Mr Dyson said: “We sold just three Rockit Rockers the day we launched at the Olympia Baby Show in 2017. This amazing accolade is a ‘pinch me’ moment and shows just how far we have come in the last seven years. It highlights the dedication and hard work put in by the core team in Bristol, but also our distributors all over the world.”
Net year, Rockit is planning launch new sleep products aimed at slightly older children. The firm is also looking to expand its distribution in South America, where early sales have been strong.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, founder of the UK Fast Growth Index, said: “The UK Fast Growth Index demonstrates how a small number of fast growing firms such as Rockit can make a substantial contribution to the UK’s economic landscape, providing real examples of how innovation, enterprise and sheer hard work can make a real difference in all sectors from construction to financial services to technology.”
The 350 fast-growing firms featured on the 2024 Index had a combined turnover of £15.1bn and had grown by £9.6bn between 2021 and 2023, a growth rate of 173%.
Chris Oliver, head of high net worth at UBS Global Wealth Management, added: “UBS has a long history in advising and connecting business owners and entrepreneurs in the UK and helping them unlock potential throughout their journey. It is this exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and level of talent and innovation that drives job creation and growth but most crucially also inspires the next generation of entrepreneurs across the UK.”
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