Activate Studio

07/07/2026

Alexander Purtov joins as Head of Product.

Product is where strategy becomes real. We needed someone who gets both.

We're delighted to welcome Alexander Purtov to Activate Studio as Head of Product.

Over the past decade, Alexander has worked at the kind of companies that don't make product easy: Bumble Inc., Flo Health Inc., and Wise. Each of them operating at scale, each navigating complex regulatory environments, each requiring product leaders who can translate messy real-world constraints into systems that actually hold up.

That's a specific skill. And it's exactly the one we needed.

At Activate Studio, product leadership looks different from almost anywhere else. You're not owning a single roadmap. You're holding strategic clarity across multiple companies simultaneously, at different stages, with different users and different constraints. The founders we back need someone who understands what it takes to build platforms that scale. The enterprise teams we work with need someone who knows how engineering systems and product flows have to connect in practice, not just in theory.

Alexander has done that work at companies where the stakes were high and the complexity was real.

Welcome to the team, Alexander Purtov!

If you're a founder or enterprise team thinking about your next build, the product thinking behind how we work just got considerably sharper.

Join us at: activate.co.uk

28/06/2026

Proud to showcase one of our portfolio companies: Republiqe just hit 1M visits on Roblox. 🎮

This is exactly the kind of company we back at Activate Studio: founders turning bold ideas into products people genuinely want to return to. At the edge of gaming, fashion and digital culture, Republique () reated hex mall, an immersive multi-brand experience on Roblox which just crossed one million visits, a milestone that proves the model.

When republiqe launched hex mall (), the premise was deceptively simple: a digital mall where players could discover virtual fashion and meet brands they love. But the number isn't the story. The story is what kind of number it is.

This is a space that feels like an experience, not an ad. That's a shift reshaping brand engagement entirely:

→ From passive advertising to active participation

→ From standalone builds to a living multi-brand ecosystem (hex mall remains the only one of its kind on Roblox)

→ From "campaign" to community

Brands like Moschino, Arctic Fox, Toxic Waste and Fuggler aren't building from zero — they're plugging into an audience that's already there, already engaged, already coming back.

As Founder & Creative Director, James Gaubert ( ) puts it: the future of brand engagement is interactive, social, and built inside the digital worlds where younger audiences already spend their time.

A million visits in, and according to the team, this is only the beginning.

Building something great? Let's talk. → [email protected]

08/04/2025

Europe’s AI scene is gaining serious momentum — and the UK is right at the centre of it.

According to the Financial Times’ latest ranking of Europe’s leading start-up hubs, AI is now driving a wave of innovation across the continent, with a growing number of startups using artificial intelligence to reimagine business models in every sector — from finance to quantum computing.

The UK stood out with 29 hubs named in the top 150, the most of any country. These hubs, including Activate Studio, play a key role in helping founders apply AI at the application level — where Europe has a real opportunity to compete with the US.

Read the complete FT article about how the AI-driven startup ecosystem is flourishing in Europe and closing the innovation gap to remain competitive.

https://www.ft.com/content/e6aef340-313b-483d-9a00-c1f4fc14df86?shareType=nongift

The region can compete with US tech at the application level of artificial intelligence

27/03/2025

The UK has 29 of Europe's top 150 startup hubs. And we are one of them!

As the United Kingdom flourishes as a vibrant ecosystem for startups. Twenty-nine hubs have been recognized in the 2025 edition of Europe's Leading Start-up Hubs by the Financial Times, Statista, and Sifted, making the country with the most hubs in the ranking. This positions the UK as a premier destination for innovation and entrepreneurship. ​

If you are a founder with a groundbreaking idea for a digital product, apply today! Applications for our Spring funding cycle end following Monday, March 31st.

We are a startup studio turning ideas into reality. We empower founders with a digital product by providing hands-on assistance to refine their business strategy, clarify their value proposition, and design their product.

03/03/2025

Activate Studio Named One of Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs for 2025!

We’re incredibly proud to share that has been recognised as one of Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs for 2025 by the Financial Times, Statista, and Sifted. This prestigious accolade underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting early-stage founders in the tech space.

A huge thank you to our brilliant team, visionary founders and incredible community. This achievement is a testament to what we can accomplish together.

We’re just getting started. Stay tuned as we continue to empower the next generation of innovators!

💡 Know a founder with a game-changing idea? Tag them in the comments, we’d love to connect!

Germany’s UnternehmerTUM leads the ranking for the second year, with Paris-based Station F close behind

25/02/2025

"From Zero to One: EcoHedge 's Journey with Activate Studio

We love seeing the impact our work has on the startups we support, and EcoHedge is a perfect example.

Rob Smallcombe, Founder of EcoHedge, shared how Activate Studio support was a turning point for their business:

"Activate Studio helped us better articulate our value proposition and our suitability for investment. Their support was instrumental in taking our initial concept from zero to one, and I have no doubt that our company wouldn’t be where it is today without their guidance and mentorship. I highly recommend it to any early-stage founders looking to take the next step with partners who are truly invested in their growth.""

We’re proud to have played a role in EcoHedge’s journey, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for them! 🚀

If you're an early-stage founder looking for the right support to scale, let’s talk.

"

21/01/2025

"Activate Studio stands out from other models due to its personalised, hands-on approach. As founders from the creative industry, Christine Hartland, Mahesh Ramachandra, and I benefited from their guidance and support throughout the ideation and development process of SMASH’s MVPs.

The Activate Studio team’s active involvement at every step ensured we were heading in the right direction, which was crucial for securing nearly half a million in investment and earning recognition. We were selected for the Creative Catalyst SXSW Programme, won the Best pitch in the AI for Good Category in Edinburgh University’s AI Accelerator Programme, and received a Gold Award for Tech Innovation in Cannes Next.

We believe Activate Studio can support many more founders in their entrepreneurial journey. We’re looking forward to taking our relationship with Activate to the next level as we embark on a new raise to build out our tech and begin scaling our business.” said Fiona Gillies, SMASH CEO & co-founder, one of our portfolio startups.

We partner with talented entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to disrupt their industries. Smash is just one example. Explore the other companies we collaborate with and join us in building the future.

16/01/2025

Big News: The Seam has made the 2025 Startups 100 Index! 🎉

The Startups 100 Index (Startups.co.uk for small business ideas, start-ups and entrepreneurs) is the UK’s longest-running list celebrating the nation’s most innovative and disruptive startups. We’re thrilled to see The Seam recognised for its groundbreaking work in sustainable fashion, transforming the way we approach clothing repair and reuse.

This year’s Index features an incredible lineup of forward-thinking businesses, including:

👴 Lottie – revolutionising adult social care
✍ Robin AI – automating legal contract reviews
💳 Yonder – redefining rewards in credit cards

We’re so proud to have partnered with The Seam on their journey. Their vision and dedication continue to inspire us, and this recognition is a testament to their hard work and innovation.

👏 Huge congratulations to the amazing team at The Seam and all the other trailblazing startups shaping the future.

Explore the full Startups 100 Index and discover more about The Seam’s story here: https://bit.ly/40gzMgW



Startups.co.uk for small business ideas, start-ups and entrepreneurs

12/12/2024

Why one startup at a time?

At Activate Studio, we partner with just one startup at a time. This means our in-house team of developers, designers, marketers, and business experts are fully dedicated to bringing your vision to life. Our team becomes your team.

If you’re looking for a hands-on, tailored approach with a team committed to building something impactful, we’re here for your journey.

We’re searching for talented entrepreneurs ready to co-create the future. Is that you? Apply today via our website!

03/12/2024

Turning Ideas into Reality: Lessons from HubSpot’s Journey 🚀

The path from idea to impact is never smooth. Just ask HubSpot —a small startup in 2006 that grew into the global leader in inbound marketing. They saw early on that traditional tactics were losing effectiveness, so they pioneered the inbound model, drawing in customers through valuable content instead of ads.

But success didn’t come overnight. HubSpot faced their share of hurdles, yet their dedication to solving real problems—and building scalable tools—helped them redefine the marketing landscape.

Their story proves that with innovation, perseverance, and a passion for serving customers, any founder can turn a big idea into lasting change.

At Activate Studio, we’re here to help founders like you navigate the startup rollercoaster, avoid common missteps, and accelerate your growth. And here’s a bonus—Activate Studio founders get exclusive access to HubSpot for Startups to supercharge your marketing and sales journey! 😉