Saying that the number of interesting companies utilizing Python in some capacity is staggering would be an understatement. Is anyone really surprised, though? Nearly 7,000 companies worldwide are currently using Python as reported by Stackshare, and the real number is likely much higher. But that perspective may be a bit too broad here. With so many noteworthy companies to cover, we’ve decided to use a slightly narrower lens this time. As one of the biggest markets in the world, the United Kingdom is a perfect starting point for us. With an economy that’s basically a breeding ground for an intensely diverse range of businesses, it’s no wonder the country abounds in companies that make good use of Python. Here are nine examples of UK companies using Python we consider particularly worth exploring.
1. Zopa
Though we’ll be talking about a variety of businesses from the UK in this article, financial technology is likely the most prominent of the sectors we’ll be covering. The first one on our list is Zopa, the self-described “feel-good money company.”
Operating on a peer-to-peer model since 2005, Zopa’s goal is to make financial management as stress-free as it can be. Then one thing led to another and by 2020 they expanded their services to include an actual bank.
Throughout the years, they’ve helped out countless customers by providing them with the best deals on loans and investments. Sometimes managing your finances properly is all you need to do if you want to live more comfortably, and that is exactly what Zopa is here for.
At their very core, they aim to provide a service that’s fair and accessible to all of their clients, and this has not changed since their inception.
From the technical side of things, Python most definitely makes up their backbone. On their blog, they have an entire section dedicated to tech, including one interesting article on how Python can be sped up with Numba.
2. Newable Business Finance
Newable is a fintech company whose main focus is providing access to easy business loans, with the overall goal of helping up-and-coming businesses get off the ground, as well as simply support other companies in reaching their goals.
They’ve expanded quite a bit in recent years and they’re now one of the most prominent fintech companies using Python in the UK. On top of simply providing easy access to loans, they also help their clients out with expert advice, which particularly comes in handy amid the current pandemic we’re all dealing with.
But maybe you already have the business of your dreams figured out and you’ve got the cash, but you’re struggling with finding the right accommodation? They can help you out here, too, as Newable has also added workspace services to its already impressive portfolio of services.
We’ve learned what they can do first-hand, owing to the fact that we’ve actually worked with them in the past. While we can’t claim all the credit, we like to remember that the software behind their success is in some part owed to our efforts.
3. Zego
The entire premise of Zego hinges on one argument: the insurance policies that are currently available do not meet the needs of businesses operating in this day and age.
They are absolutely correct in this assumption.
Businesses have evolved exponentially in recent years due to technological development, while insurance policies generally haven’t adjusted to that. Zego’s a fintech company that has set a goal for themselves of pushing insurance into the 21st century.
As careers become more flexible, long-term insurance plans for vehicles, housing, etc. are becoming more and more obsolete. Zego offers a model that’s much more accessible. More importantly, all of their services are provided via apps, the web, and mobile.
They’re constantly on the lookout for developers with knowledge of Python, as it’s what lies at the core of their entire platform at this moment. While they used to operate exclusively using Django, they’ve since diversified their architecture to include other Python web frameworks.
Zego’s forward-thinking approach has not gone unnoticed, as they’ve recently become the first UK insurtech company to gain a European broking licence. Additionally, with their recent acquisition of Drivit, they are on their way to ushering in a new era of insurance.
4. Flatfair
The UK letting market is dark and full of terrors, regardless of whether you’re a landlord or a tenant. It faces a similar issue to the insurance landscape we’ve mentioned above: modern needs have outgrown the ways of the current system.
Deposits are still the most commonly used method of ensuring rental security, and this is no longer a viable option for either side of the equation, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Flatfair has come up with a solution to this problem, and they’re using Python to make it a reality.
Their “Boost” and “No Deposit” systems aim to both maximize security and minimize the hassle involved with renting an apartment for tenants and landlords alike. Their aim is to reduce the amount of time required for payouts and move-ins, lower upfront costs, and allow all necessary documentation to be stored securely and within immediate reach.
All of this is done through their cleverly designed platform, which is what has helped put them on the map. On top of that, they’re simply a wellspring of knowledge when it comes to the UK property rental environment, as exemplified by this article about adjusting to the changes brought by the pandemic.
5. LiveMore Capital
Following the pattern set by our previous entries, LiveMore Capital is another company with a mission to fix a fundamental problem in the United Kingdom’s systems. This time, the focus is later life lending.
Loans and mortgages are something people may need at different points in their life. This includes those who are 55 or older. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the options you’re given at that age are quite limited, with stricter requirements and inferior numbers. LiveMore Capital is here to provide a remedy to that.
Using Python for their application code and Django as their framework, LiveMore Capital relies on a strong data platform to ensure they can offer their clients the best mortgage they can get. They specialize in retirement interest-only mortgages, giving an overlooked group the options they deserve.
With loans provided for a wide range of time periods, a fixed rate, and other practical solutions for their target demographic, they’re on their way toward revolutionizing later life mortgages in the UK.
6. Sharegain
Sharegain is another fintech company on our list, this time dealing specifically with the issue of securities lending. Though it’s a great way to increase the returns and revenue of your company, it’s not exactly an accessible process in its traditional form.
Institutional investors have pretty much had a stranglehold over securities lending for years, despite the fact that it is, in theory, a basic right. Sharegain is here to ensure that securities lending is transparent and accessible.
Sharegain has made it possible to take securities lending into your own hands. Thanks to their accessible Python-based platform, you can manage your portfolio to the last detail, establishing limits, managing borrowers, and generally being able to clearly see what is going on and getting the most profit.
Additionally, Sharegain doesn’t mind sharing their extensive knowledge on the subject of wealth management, so be sure to check out their blog for the latest tips and industry insights. Ready to cut out the middleman yet?
7. Ten Group
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Python really is a gift that keeps on giving. It’s one thing to know that web apps based on Flask or Django can do pretty much anything. It’s another thing entirely to actually have access to a virtual concierge created using those frameworks.
That’s exactly what Ten Group offers: an experience tailor-made for affluent private customers, alongside corporate clients.
Ten Group offers a premium concierge service, which is a fancy way of saying that they help affluent customers with managing their finances. Connected to many important private banks, they help their clients make sure their wealth is working for them. This Python-based app really is what you need if you’re swimming in cash.
Since their humble beginnings in 1998, Ten Group has pretty much made it all the way to the top, making the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange in 2017 and never leaving that post since.
As such, it’s a prestige company offering a premium service, constantly expanding, and looking for fresh talent to help make its service even better. They’ve been defining the lifestyle management market since their inception and they’re showing no sign of stopping.
8. Mintel
A company with quite a lengthy history, as its roots go as far back as 1972, Mintel has been a defining voice in the market intelligence sector for decades. It’s in their name—Mintel is in fact a portmanteau of the words “market” and “intel.”
Using market research, data gathering, market analysis, and various other forms of expertise, they are the experts to reach if you want to make sure your business decisions are sound and efficient.
A big part of that is their Global New Products Database, which is something that definitely hasn’t been around since the ‘70s, as Python is one of the reasons for its existence. It’s an outstanding source of high-quality data on various industries, which allows Mintel to stay on top of things even in this current age of rapid technological development.
Though operating in the UK, their services reach dozens of countries around their world, which only helps to expand their data further.
9. Funding Options
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The last entry on our list is one dedicated to businesses that are in need of funding.
Funding Options has made it their mission to make the world a little more equal-opportunity. Focusing on supporting small businesses, they use their Python-based tech to help these companies find the funding options that will work best for them.
Their effectiveness has earned them numerous accolades, including winning Nesta’s Open Up Challenge for Banking, and they are now part of the HM Treasury Bank Referral Scheme, making them the official advisor for SMEs looking to fund their projects after being rejected by banks.
Final thoughts
Python certainly makes the world go round, and it definitely serves as a solid backbone for the businesses we’ve just listed. With Brexit now upon us, this is the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at some of the UK’s Python champions.
What we’ve provided you here is a carefully selected list of companies, but the fact that the Python ecosystem in the UK is so strong means that Python developers have no trouble finding great employers. As a result, it might actually be pretty hard for you to find a good software engineer for your own purposes if you’re based in the UK.
So, if you want to avoid the difficulties of navigating the British job market, STX Next may just be the company you need for your next big project. Give us a shout—head over here to get in touch!
Of course, this article is only the tip of the iceberg; there’s plenty more where that came from. We do our best to make sure our readers are always up to date on the latest in tech, especially Python. Here are several articles you may find interesting:
