Co-founders

BeRead Ltd

BeRead transforms publishing support, guiding authors and publishers with full-service consultancy, boutique agility, and expertise to maximise every book’s success.

We’re thrilled that BeRead has been shortlisted for FutureBook Start-Up of the Year 2025. In our first year, we’ve proven that professional-quality publishing doesn’t need to be ringfenced and that creative excellence and commercial impact can co-exist. Our guiding belief is simple but powerful: every good book deserves to be read. It’s an honour to be recognised among such inspiring talent.

HQ

HarperCollins

Akan Books empowers overlooked voices, publishing diverse authors through bespoke campaigns, strategic partnerships, and inclusive, barrier-breaking programmes across the UK.

In our first year, Akan Books has made significant strides, amplifying stories and voices that have for so long been overlooked or unheard. The overwhelming response, and the meaningful partnerships we've forged, demonstrate the demand for inclusion in publishing, and the desire and ambition to help us effect change. I’m excited for Akan Books to continue to break down barriers and create lasting change within our industry and for future generations of storytellers

Backstory creates an innovative, community-focused bookshop and magazine, combining events, subscriptions, and cultural programming to engage readers and inspire connections.

What a lovely surprise to learn I'd been secretly shortlisted. Setting up Backstory has been a thrill: I am enjoying getting my head around running a startup as much as I am sharing my boundless enthusiasm for bloody great books.

Co-founders

BeRead Ltd

BeRead transforms publishing support, guiding authors and publishers with full-service consultancy, boutique agility, and expertise to maximise every book’s success.

We’re thrilled that BeRead has been shortlisted for FutureBook Start-Up of the Year 2025. In our first year, we’ve proven that professional-quality publishing doesn’t need to be ringfenced and that creative excellence and commercial impact can co-exist. Our guiding belief is simple but powerful: every good book deserves to be read. It’s an honour to be recognised among such inspiring talent.

Bookshop owners

The Mysterious Bookcase

The Mysterious Bookcase turned BookTok buzz into a real-world bookshop, livestreaming community engagement and fostering global reader connections.

We’re absolutely thrilled that The Mysterious Bookcase has been shortlisted for Start-Up of the Year! Growing from BookTok enthusiasm into a real-world bookshop has been a dream come true, and it means the world to see our little community venture recognised alongside such inspiring innovators across the book world.

Shimmr AI

Shimmr uses AI to make every book discoverable, supporting diverse authors, maximising backlists, and transforming publishing marketing sustainably at scale.

We’re absolutely thrilled that Shimmr has been shortlisted for The Bookseller’s StartUp of the Year. It’s a powerful recognition of our mission to transform book discoverability—one we’ve already demonstrated at scale over the past 12 months, delivering real results for authors and publishers. My thanks go to our partners, friends, and customers for their support.