PerfectTed, the bright-green matcha drink brand first spotted on Dragons’ Den, has just raced to the top of the 2025 FEBE Growth 100, the annual league table that crowns the country’s fastest-growing founder-led firms. The business, backed by entrepreneur and investor Steven Bartlett, beat hundreds of private companies to claim the No.1 slot – a position awarded only to teams combining rapid revenue expansion with solid profitability.
From student side-hustle to 500 % growth
Co-founders Marisa Poster, Edward Metcalfe and Teddie Levenfiche launched PerfectTed in 2021 after discovering that clean-label matcha could deliver the same buzz as coffee without the jitters. In just four years the trio have turned a kitchen experiment into a national brand stocked by Tesco, WH Smith and Holland & Barrett. FEBE’s judges highlighted a 500 % year-on-year growth spurt as a key reason for the top ranking .
The Dragons’ Den inflection point
PerfectTed’s trajectory changed gear in February 2023 when the founders entered the Dragons’ Den studio armed with vibrant cans of matcha energy drink. They secured a investment from Steven Bartlett, who later invested an additional £1m – capital that funded their first large-scale production run and a bold digital launch campaign. Bartlett has been an active mentor ever since, opening doors and leveraging his 25 million strong social audience to amplify the brand. PerfectTed have built the company working out of Steven Bartlett’s central London headquarters.
How did PerfectTed grow so quickly
- Health-first positioning: Each can contains ceremonial-grade Japanese matcha, naturally high in L-theanine, delivering a smooth energy lift that resonates with Gen Z consumers reducing coffee and sugary soda.
- Omni-channel playbook: PerfectTed combines TikTok virality with disciplined retail execution, they have a star investor in Steven Bartlett and they launched limited-edition flavours online before rolling winners into national listings.
- Community-led brand: The founders routinely spotlight customers’ recipes and stories, turning drinkers into advocates and reducing paid-media spend.
About PerfectTed
Founded in London in 2021 and backed by Entrepreneur and investor Steven Bartlett, PerfectTed produces plant-powered matcha energy drinks and powders designed to give consumers a clean caffeine alternative. The company employs 30 people and is headquartered in Steven Bartlett’s office in Shoreditch.