by Format-3

Share article

2025 marked the third year of Format-3 and a defining chapter in our journey.

What began as ambitious goals quickly became delivered outcomes, as we closed the year having successfully achieved every operational objective we set for ourselves. More than a milestone, this year became proof of what a focused, values-driven boutique can accomplish at scale.

We opened the year with intention and energy, hosting our first executive dinner in Nashville. Leaders from Nike, Zeta Global, Starz, and other pioneers across consumer technology gathered for an evening of bold conversation and future-focused thinking. The result was exactly what we strive for: Format-3 acting as a catalyst for disruptive technology dialogue and experience, this time in the heart of Nashville.

Building on that momentum, our leadership team travelled to ICE in Barcelona, immersing ourselves alongside our gaming partners and peers. It was a front-row seat to the next wave of innovation, insight that continues to shape how we design, build, and advise in one of the world’s fastest-moving industries.

February delivered one of our earliest and proudest moments of the year. Format-3 was named Best Startup of the Year by the British Business Bank and ranked number 39 among the UK’s top SMEs. Recognition like this reaffirmed not just our growth, but the impact of how we choose to grow.

Throughout 2025, experimentation became a discipline. We pushed boundaries internally and externally, re-engineering workflows, advancing intelligent digital products, and refining how teams can move faster without compromising quality. By operating at the bleeding edge of AI, we positioned ourselves as a voice of reason and responsibility in a rapidly evolving space. Projects like AppGPT challenged us to rethink traditional design models entirely, forcing us to create new frameworks for intelligent, fluid experiences. We were not just designing the future. We were building the systems that make designing it possible.

Our leadership team also spent the year actively shaping industry conversation. From keynote and feature stages at DiBi, Mind The Product, Designers X Developers, Tech Meetup, and Cambridge University, to countless panels and talks across the UK and Europe, we shared lessons learned from real-world execution. When we were not on stage, we were sponsoring and supporting grassroots tech communities, continuing our commitment to help the industry thrive at every level.

Client collaboration took us across borders and time zones, from Scotland to Switzerland, France, and beyond. While the team collected more than a few air miles, what mattered most was our promise to show up in person. We believe the best work still happens when people collaborate face to face, where ideas move faster and trust is built naturally.

Externally, 2025 was about stepping confidently into bigger arenas. With leadership rooted in enterprise and big agency experience, working with global organisations felt natural. Our client portfolio expanded to include renowned names such as the Natural History Museum, Alpiq, Scottish Power, WEIR Group, alongside several exciting partners still under NDA. Watch this space.

Across the year, we supported organisations of every size, from seed-stage startups to global enterprises, spanning energy, healthcare, gaming, entertainment, and enterprise technology. The constant was impact, helping each partner navigate the future of technology with clarity and confidence.

Partnerships also played a pivotal role. Our collaboration with Owendale Advisory deepened our strategic AI expertise and directly supported Scottish Power in delivering an AI Strategic Horizon Scanner. Meanwhile, our partnership with BIMA and involvement in the Creative Council ensured our voice helped shape the future of the UK’s creative industry.

Internally, we remained intentionally small, believing excellence comes from focus, not scale. Even so, we grew our team by 20 percent across multiple global locations. Key hires included our CTO, Martin, whose leadership has enabled us to deliver best-in-class solutions at speed, and our Studio Manager, Suha, who strengthened our culture and ensured Format-3 remains not just a place to work, but a group of people who genuinely love building together.

As the year drew to a close, we launched the microsite for The Pendragon Cycle, a new TV series. The response was overwhelming. The project received widespread industry acclaim, winning FWA Site of the Day, CSS Design Awards Site of the Day, and all three public votes for design, UX, and innovation. While digital products remain our core focus, this project reminded us of a simple truth. When Format-3 enters an experience space, we aim to set the bar, and we tend to win.

We closed the year with another major announcement, the acquisition of The UX Crunch, Europe’s largest UX meetup, running for over a decade. We are incredibly excited to steward this community forward and host these iconic events under the Format-3 umbrella in 2026.

Looking ahead, 2026 is set to be our most ambitious year yet. With new partnerships, signed clients, and bold initiatives already underway, including more NDA surprises, our mission remains clear. We aim to drive truly remarkable digital experiences and demonstrate what a modern boutique agency can achieve when craft, strategy, and ambition align.

To our clients, partners, collaborators, and peers, thank you for being part of our journey this year. We are excited to build what is next, together.

If you are ready to lead your space in 2026, let us start the conversation.

By Format-3

Press & Media

More thoughts

Thought leadership creates value, builds knowledge and takes a stand, bridging the gap between traditional and digital platforms