Hive IT
Hive IT is a Certified B Corporation digital agency in Sheffield, UK, delivering UX design, software development, and digital consultancy services to charities, public sector bodies, and social enterprises. Founded in 2014, its 26+ person team builds accessible, WCAG-compliant web platforms and digital tools.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSheffield, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Hive IT does
Hive IT is a Certified B Corporation digital agency headquartered in Sheffield, UK (registered as Hive IT Ltd., Companies House No. 08852342), founded in early 2014 by Jonny Rippon (CEO), Duncan Watson (Technical Director), and Martin Waite (Design Director). The 26+ person UK-wide team delivers UX design, software development, UX research, service design, quality assurance testing, and facilitation/workshop services on a project-based professional services model to charities, social enterprises, and public sector organisations. The firm applies a documented ethical screening policy (Red/Green/Grey list) and holds B Corp certification (score 92.0), Living Wage Employer status, EDI Accreditation, and Cyber Essentials Plus certification — credentials that function as procurement gatekeepers for ESG-sensitive public sector and grant-funded buyers.
The technical stack centres on a modern web delivery model using React, Next.js, TypeScript, Webflow, Payload CMS, Postgres, Prisma, Sequelize, Auth0 (for identity), Vercel (hosting), and Progressive Web App architecture. Delivered projects include the River Dôn Engagement Platform (Next.js with live Environment Agency API integration), Yorkshire Engagement Portal (Power BI dashboards via Payload CMS), New to Sheffield (Webflow multilingual platform supporting 100+ languages), Sheffield Safety Plan (React/Next.js with Auth0), Web of Life Quest (gamified PWA), and Deepwood (React + Three.js 3D soundscape). All development adheres to WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility standards, and the firm offers accessibility testing with users with diverse access needs.
Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven: direct engagement via the website, email, and phone, supplemented by content marketing (blog, case studies, newsletter), referrals, and partnerships through the UK Catapult network. There are no disclosed funding rounds, no institutional investors, no acquisitions, and no revenue figures in source materials. Pricing is quote-based on project scope rather than standardised rate cards. The current job openings page shows no open positions, suggesting flat near-term headcount.
Hive IT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hive IT
- Legal name
- Hive IT Ltd.
- Website
- https://hiveit.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hive IT is a Certified B Corporation digital agency in Sheffield, UK, delivering UX design, software development, and digital consultancy services to charities, public sector bodies, and social enterprises. Founded in 2014, its 26+ person team builds accessible, WCAG-compliant web platforms and digital tools.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hive IT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Agency Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Experience Monitoring & Management (DEX/DEM, AIOps for EUC) (BPAEAIAF)
Keywords
Where Hive IT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sheffield
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hive IT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Digital Consultancy Services: Professional services revenue from UX design, user research, service design, software development, and quality assurance testing engagements with clients across charity, public sector, and social enterprise sectors
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Hive IT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hive IT is a Certified B Corporation digital agency providing end-to-end User Experience Design, Software Development, UX Research, Service Design, Quality Assurance Testing, and Facilitation/Workshop services. They deliver bespoke accessible digital solutions including websites, data portals, engagement platforms, and digital tools for charities, public sector bodies, and social enterprises. Their work emphasizes WCAG2.2 AA accessibility, inclusive design, and ethical technology delivery.
Product overview
Hive IT is a digital agency offering UX design, software development, and digital consultancy services rather than packaged software products. Their service offerings include User Experience Design, Software Development, UX Research, Service Design, Quality Assurance Testing, and Facilitation and Workshops. Their project portfolio demonstrates capabilities in building accessible websites, data portals, engagement platforms, and digital tools. Notable delivered solutions include the River Dôn Engagement Platform (Next.js-based environmental engagement platform), Yorkshire Engagement Portal (Power BI-embedded data sharing platform), New to Sheffield multilingual website (Webflow-based), Rewilding Britain Data Portal (interactive data collection tool), MetalloBio website (Webflow CMS), Sheffield Safety Plan (React/Next.js digital tool with Auth0), Web of Life Quest (Progressive Web App with gamified nature experience), and Deepwood (Three.js-powered 3D sensory experience).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- User Experience Design Services Exploration of how users interact with products through user research, design analysis, branding design, visual design, and design workshops for organisations seeking to develop or improve digital experiences.
- Software Development Services Full stack development of web solutions and accessible applications, from architectural design and infrastructure management through to bringing digital products to life using appropriate tools and techniques.
- UX Research Services Engagement, observation, and collaboration methods to understand user problems and identify effective solutions for client projects.
- Service Design Services Design of services that meet real customer needs while aligning with organisation objectives, ensuring every element from user touchpoints to internal processes works together.
- Quality Assurance Testing Services Range of testing services to ensure software meets highest standards of functionality, performance, and accessibility.
- Facilitation and Workshop Services Facilitation and workshop delivery to bring ideas to life, encouraging collaboration and helping uncover innovative solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cyber Essentials Plus certification provides protection from 98.5% of cyber attacks
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Hive IT
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Hive IT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature4 records
Hive IT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Digital CatapultcoreDesign to Deliver programme partner supporting SMEs (Nature Nurture and Mechanimal) through design thinking process. Hive IT provided design expertise, user research, and digital development guidance to help SMEs develop nature-positive solutions.
- Knowle West Media CentrecoreLocation partner in Bristol providing community engagement and user research support. Provided local user group contacts and facilitated research activity with community groups including walking groups, youth groups, and school eco-warriors.
- Nature NurturecoreReading-based SME partnered with through Design to Deliver programme. Creative social enterprise developing Web of Life Quest - an immersive nature experience. Hive IT guided them through human-centred design process over 9 weeks.
- MechanimalcoreBristol-based SME creating immersive nature experiences. Hive IT supported Deepwood project through design thinking, user testing and digital development (website built in React/WordPress).
- Dark Matter LabsminorNon-profit organisation developing institutional infrastructure for societies. Collaborated on River Don Engagement Platform project developing Living Stewardship Agreement concepts.
- Sheffield Hallam UniversityminorAcademic partner conducting research to inform River Don Engagement Platform features and functionality. Contributed to understanding urban metabolic data and weather sensor integration.
- Lawyers for NatureminorLegal partner exploring possibility of granting rivers legal personhood. Contributed to wider River Don project infrastructure development.
- Rewilding BritaincoreBritain's first national rewilding charity. Hive IT created data portal for Rewilding Spectrum to help gather data from over 1,000 rewilding network members, measuring ecological, social and economic impact.
- University of Sheffield (Print and Creative Service)minorProvided website designs for Yorkshire Engagement Portal project. Collaboration on design coordination and visual component implementation.
- Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife TrustminorEnvironmental charity partnership announced in February 2025, aligning with Hive IT's biodiversity and conservation goals.
- Connected Places CatapultminorOne of three Catapult organisations collaborating on Design to Deliver programme to accelerate innovation in respective fields.
- Satellite Applications CatapultminorOne of three Catapult organisations collaborating on Design to Deliver programme to accelerate innovation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hive IT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nomensa: Bristol-based digital agency specialising in accessibility, UX, and inclusive design — the closest UK competitor to Hive IT's accessibility-first positioning, serving similarly mission-driven public sector and charity clients.
- Bunnyfoot: UK-based UX research and design agency focused on user-centred design, accessibility testing, and service design for public and third-sector clients — overlapping service mix and customer profile with Hive IT.
- Cyber-Duck: London-based digital agency offering UX design, web development, and digital transformation with an emphasis on accessibility and user research — a like-for-like UK digital agency peer.
- Code Computerlove: Manchester-based digital agency delivering UX design, software development, and digital strategy for public sector and consumer brands — similar mid-sized UK agency profile and service mix.
- Clearleft: Brighton-based UX design and research consultancy offering user research, service design, and accessible digital product work for public sector and enterprise clients — directly comparable in service mix and client ethos to Hive IT.
- Ustwo Studios: UK-origin digital product studio with a mission-led, human-centred practice delivering UX, design, and software products — a comparable creative-led agency with similar client verticals.
- Sigma Digital: Edinburgh-based digital agency providing UX, design, and software development services across public sector and enterprise — comparable size and service offering to Hive IT.
Broad incumbents
- Deloitte Digital: Global professional services firm's digital practice offering UX, design, and technology consulting — competes for the same UK government and large-institution digital programmes Hive IT targets.
- Thoughtworks: Global technology consultancy offering custom software development, design, and digital strategy across public sector and enterprise — competes with Hive IT on larger digital transformation mandates.
Emerging players
- AbilityNet: UK charity providing digital accessibility services, training, and consultancy — overlaps with Hive IT's accessibility practice and public/third-sector client base, though structured as a non-profit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hive IT social profiles
Digital presenceHive IT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Hive IT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hive IT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Hive IT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hive IT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hive IT
What does Hive IT do?
Hive IT is a Certified B Corporation digital agency providing end-to-end User Experience Design, Software Development, UX Research, Service Design, Quality Assurance Testing, and Facilitation/Workshop services. They deliver bespoke accessible digital solutions including websites, data portals, engagement platforms, and digital tools for charities, public sector bodies, and social enterprises. Their work emphasizes WCAG2.2 AA accessibility, inclusive design, and ethical technology delivery.
Is Hive IT a public or private company?
Hive IT is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Hive IT founded?
Hive IT was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hive IT based?
Hive IT is headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Hive IT make money?
One revenue line is on record: digital Consultancy Services.
Who are Hive IT's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nomensa, Bunnyfoot, Cyber-Duck, Code Computerlove, Clearleft, Ustwo Studios and Sigma Digital. Broad incumbents are Deloitte Digital and Thoughtworks. AbilityNet is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hive IT have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hive IT.
What industry is Hive IT in?
Hive IT's product category is Digital Agency Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAIAF, Digital Experience Monitoring & Management (DEX/DEM, AIOps for EUC). Its NAICS code is 54138 and its SIC code is 8711.