AIM awards 2025 winners
Local payments technology services provider Boku was named as AIM company of the year at the 2025 AIM Awards at the beginning of October (see this month's publication).
Recent interims show how well Boku is doing. Revenues increased by one-third to $63.3m, while underlying EBITDA rose 53% to $21.8m. EBITDA margins were boosted by a one-off deal, but they should remain above 30%. Total payment volumes were 28% ahead at $7.4bn, while monthly active users reached 95.5 million in June 2025.
Other winners include Cohort as AIM Growth Business of the year, Filtronic for Best Technology and MHA as Best Newcomer.
CURRENT EDITION
THIS MONTH'S TOPICS INCLUDE:
AIM fundraising levels are recovering
WH Ireland disposal blocked by shareholders
XP Factory hit be hot weather
Bars and escape rooms operator XP Factory increased owned and operated revenues by 12% in the 19 weeks to 10 August.
Boom Battle Bars like-for-like sales were 5.6% lower but have started to recover. The new Reading site is trading more strongly than expected.
Escape rooms operator Escape Hunt like-for-likes were slightly higher. The hot weather hit sales in recent weeks, although not as badly as the overall market. Corporate spending decreased during the period, but bookings are stronger.
XP Factory is doing better than the overall market and it is still on track for EBITDA of £13m by 2028.
Artisanal Spirits expands globally
Scotch whisky supplier and members organisation Artisanal Spirits Company is trading in line with expectations despite US tariff uncertainties. Interim revenues were slightly lower because of the timing of US shipments of whisky.
The company has signed a franchise agreement with PNM Tech Beverages in India, which is the largest Scotch whisky market in the world in terms of volume. It will take time to build up sales.
The Single Cask Nation brand is expanding into new markets. The latest market is Brazil, which is the 15th largest market for ultra-premium whisky. The first exports to Brazil were in the third quarter of this year.
