Lottie, a UK-based care home finder, has been named the top startup in the UK by the 2025 Startups 100 Index. Founded in 2021 by brothers Chris and Will Donnelly, the company aims to transform the care industry.
Lottie offers an online marketplace where families can find and compare vetted care homes, retirement living options, and at-home care services. The platform provides transparent fee structures, which addresses a common issue in the industry: opaque payment practices often confuse customers.
Since its launch, Lottie has expanded its services. These include Found by Lottie, a CRM software for care providers; Seniorcare by Lottie, an employee benefits platform; and Care IQ, a data insights tool for the elderly care market. The startup’s growth has been remarkable.
It now supports over one million people in finding care each month. It also partners with 3,000 care providers across the UK.
Lottie tops the UK’s Startups 100 Index
In 2024, Lottie conducted the largest Care Seeker Survey in the UK. They surveyed 1,000 individuals to understand better and address their needs. The company has raised £25 million in total funding.
This includes a £16.3 million round in 2023 to support its global expansion plans into India, Australia, and the US. Will Donnelly, co-founder of Lottie, expressed his pride in the accomplishment. He stated, “I’m genuinely so proud of Lottie’s team and so thankful to Startups for allowing us the opportunity to fly Lottie’s pink flag for the social care industry on such an acclaimed and celebrated list.
Despite its success, Lottie views itself as only at the beginning of its journey.
The founders remain committed to disrupting the social care sector for the better. They aim to give families the tools they need to make informed decisions. This is without the frustration of endless phone calls or visits.
The 2025 Startups 100 Index, now in its 17th year, is the definitive list of the most promising new UK businesses. The list is judged by a team of new business experts in collaboration with specialist industry consultants.