Gousto’s founder is EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2022 UK overall winner

In brief:

• Founded in 2012, Gousto is a B Corp^TM and has achieved unicorn status.
• An average of 250,000 meal kits are sent out each month, and, compared to supermarket equivalents, customers save 23% carbon emissions with a Gousto meal.

Timo Boldt, the Founder and CEO of Gousto, has been named the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year^TM 2022 UK overall winner.

This year, over 100 finalists entered the programme, which aims to recognise the vision, insight and determination of entrepreneurs on a regional, national and international level through a judging process undertaken by a diverse panel of independent experts.

Gousto, one of the country’s leading meal kit companies, has enjoyed a remarkable journey since its formation in 2012, achieving the rare status of becoming both a unicorn — a private company with a valuation of at least $1 billion — and certified B Corp; a designation which confirms the business is meeting a high standard of performance, transparency and accountability and matters including employee benefits, supply chain practices and more.

Timo’s inspiration for setting up the company came from his early career as a banker, where he was often working long hours and relying on takeaway deliveries. These eating habits were both expensive and wasteful, and prompted him to realise there was a gap in the market for healthy, responsible, and cost-friendly convenience dinners to eat at home.

He decided to leave his banking job at the age of 26 and move into university accommodation to help finance the project, packing all meals by hand and delivering them himself. By not taking a salary for the first three years, he took an enormous financial risk in getting the organisation off the ground.

Timo’s hunch (and gamble), however, has emphatically proven successful. Since 2012, the firm has raised over £230 million in equity funding. Today, Gousto produces 250,000 meal kits per week from its Lincolnshire factory, with its 60-plus menus fulfilling the needs of modern consumers, whose focus is increasingly on sustainable and healthy choices.

As well as creating a better working world by offering a sustainable alternative to supermarket meals, Timo’s overarching ambition is for Gousto to have a greater positive impact on people and planet as it grows. That includes the people within the business, an area where the judges were notably impressed by, the emphasis on building a people-centric culture that champions inclusivity and fairness. Indeed, a hallmark of the firm’s success has been its recruitment of talented people and giving them ownership of decision-making, with 95% of staff being shareholders in the business.

Commenting on this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 overall winner, Chair of the Judging Panel, Shravin Bharti Mittal, Founder & CEO of Unbound, said:

“This year’s cohort are exceptionally talented and have all demonstrated entrepreneurial qualities within their respective industries across the UK.

After careful consideration, the judging panel is proud to recognised Timo Boldt as UK overall winner. Timo’s passion for his purpose shines through, which is a crucial attribute to have as an entrepreneur. Throughout his journey he's focussed on bringing others along with him and places importance on human talent and culture. We are excited to see him represent the UK at EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year next year.”

Looking ahead, Timo will be representing the UK at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year^TM in June 2023. Held in Monaco, the event brings together national winners from more than 60 countries.

The journey doesn't stop here; each year EY celebrates the very best of the UK's entrepreneurs. To learn more about the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK programme and nominations for 2023, head here.