'We want to be world class," says Errol Damelin, talking about his high-profile start-up, Wonga. "And I don't mean bigger than Barclays. I mean like Facebook, Amazon and Apple."

Fantasy? Well, the smart-talking South African entrepreneur is certainly making a strong case.

Who would have thought it? Lego could be the key to improving global economies.

According to Israeli entrepreneur Amir Asor, the popular children's building brick is integral to training the next generation of engineers, who will in turn play an increasingly important role in solving some of the world's financial difficulties. So convinced is Mr Asor that he has set up a business based on it.

It is every venture capitalist's dream: invest in a young company and watch it grow on an unprecedented scale in a short space of time. And that is exactly what leading VC firm Greylock has managed to do - again and again.

It counts US-based Facebook, LinkedIn and Groupon among its successful investments.

In 2004 entrepreneur Rob Keve had a pivotal moment. The former venture capitalist realised there were changes afoot for customer service and came up with a concept to enable businesses to receive consumer feedback in real-time.

Iftach Ben Zvi is obsessed with start-up ideas. Unsurprising then that at the age of 70, he has come up with his latest: a video chat application for businesses.

TiviClick enables companies and organisations to offer a video chat option on their website so that visitors can initiate real-time communication with sales and customer support representatives.

Image is everything. Just ask Doren Gabriel, the founder of photography firm, image 1st.

His business comprises DG Corporate, which specialises in taking company headshots. It has experienced an 80 per cent increase in revenues over the past year as companies seek ways to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.

Here's one for gadget geeks: a service that enables users to receive customised information about their favourite gadgets. Drippler, founded by Israelis Matan Talmi and Dotan Galron, is a free mobile application and website.

Bread is big business. Despite rising food inflation and curbs on consumer spending, sales of bread are on the rise, particularly among the artisan varieties.

Both Tesco and Waitrose have reported significant increases in sales of "speciality bread" and have expanded their ranges to cope with customer demand.

Parents can now keep tabs on their children thanks to a new mobile phone-tracking security device.

Founded by north London businessman Spencer Sharpe, itrack Protect enables you to view and track an individual's location and receive emergency text alerts if they are in danger. It is aimed at family members, carers and frequent travelers.

Ignore social media at your peril. Such a warning is sounded by Michael Raibin of niche property firm, Hatton Real Estate.

Earlier this year the young company, nominated for the Estates Gazette's Business Launch of the Year, became what is believed to be the first UK agency to execute a commercial property deal via Facebook.

Tzachi Wiesenfeld probably has access to most of the world's buildings. If not, he could no doubt find a way of getting in.

The Israeli engineer is the vice president of Assa Abloy, the world's leading door solutions and lock company. He heads the Europe, Middle East and Africa multi-billion dollar arm - the group's largest division.