F&B start-up Bold Bean Co wins marketing award

London-based food startup Bold Bean Co, has been named the winner of the 2026 Startups 100 Index Marketing Award, which recognises the UK’s most creative and forward-thinking start-ups that are using clever marketing to showcase, promote, and grow their brand.

The start-up has also been ranked 21st in the 2026 Startups 100 Index powered by Sage, the UK’s longest-running index of the most promising new businesses.

Co-founder of Bold Bean Co, Ed Whelpton, comments: “Bold Bean Co was founded to make people obsessed with beans by giving them the best of beans, and this recognition is a powerful validation of that mission. We’re incredibly grateful to our suppliers, our team and of course, all of our community, who are the engine behind Bold Bean Co. Being named one of the UK’s top start-ups is an honour and we are so excited for what comes next.”

Bold Bean Co is a modern food start-up on a mission to make people fall in love with beans through its high-quality jarred beans and inspiring recipe content.

Bold Bean Co says it is revolutionising the way we think about beans by turning a humble pantry staple into a fun, aspirational and sustainable ingredient. Using stylish packaging, colourful labels, and creative “beanspo” recipes, the brand has engaged and inspired a growing community of legume lovers.

With over 60,000 monthly users and 100,000+ followers across social platforms, the brands’ innovative approach to marketing has helped it become the fastest-growing brand in the category, with sales up 199% and £4.8m added to the market last year.

Beans are among the lowest-carbon meat substitutes available, but shoppers are often left with bland options and zero inspiration. This is the gap that Bold Bean Co’s founders, Amelia Christie-Miller and Ed Whelpton, set out to fix. 

The brand wowed the judges with its  community-driven marketing strategy that blends standout branding, smart partnerships, and reactive, nonstop fan engagement that has resulted in a cult-like online following.

Found in major retailers including Waitrose, Whole Foods, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, the company has also released two bestselling cookbooks and launched its first branded collaboration with Ottolenghi, establishing itself as a trendsetter in the food industry. 

Now with 11 purpose-driven products, including the first gourmet baked beans, and multiple Great Taste awards, Bold Bean Co is proving that creative marketing and storytelling can completely reshape a traditional food category.

Co-founder of Bold Bean Co, Ed Whelpton, comments: “Bold Bean Co was founded to make people obsessed with beans by giving them the best of beans, and this recognition is a powerful validation of that mission. We’re incredibly grateful to our suppliers, our team and of course, all of our community, who are the engine behind Bold Bean Co. Being named one of the UK’s top start-ups is an honour and we are so excited for what comes next.” 

Editor of Startups.co.uk, Zohra Huda, comments: “When we first featured Bold Bean Co in our 2023 Index, the founders told us they wanted to make Britain obsessed with beans. Through creative storytelling and value-led ‘beanspo’ content, they’ve done exactly that.

“Now boasting a dedicated online following of bean lovers, and a long list of famous foodie fans, it’s clear that Bold Bean Co has taken one of Britain’s staple foods and elevated it from side dish to main meal. We’re thrilled to name it a truly deserving winner of our 2026 Marketing Award.”