16-year-old drops college to run towel startup earning £750,000 annually

In 2023, 16-year-old Harrison Nott launched CoolTowel, a brand offering three-layer polyester towels that cool the skin through evaporation. The venture gained momentum when Nott won the Alibaba Concrete Pitch Event, earning a £150,000 prize and attracting former England footballer Rio Ferdinand, who later invested and took on a partnership role. While completing his GCSEs, Nott decided against attending college to devote himself to the growing company.

Over the past year, CoolTowel’s sales have exceeded £750,000, driven by demand during UK heatwaves, but the business still faces challenges such as TikTok shop order cancellations, counterfeit advertising, and substantial marketing expenses that keep it from turning a profit. Nott acknowledges the difficulties but remains optimistic about expanding the brand beyond his bedroom operation.