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StartUp Britain summer bus tour: A recap
Welcome back from summer holidays! I hope you managed to switch off and take some time away from your business. At the Centre for Entrepreneurs, we used the summer to hit the road and help aspiring entrepreneurs across Britain under our StartUp Britain campaign banner.
StartUp Britain partnered with Sage, NatWest, Start Up Loans Company and Upwork to tour 28 locations across Britain to give free and impartial advice to aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs.
The StartUp Britain bus tour:
- traveled 5,000 miles over seven weeks;
- launched in Downing Street with the prime minister, business secretary and small business minister;
- engaged a further government minister, 12 MPs and 20 council leaders/councillors;
- secured 50 press mentions, 60 online mentions, 20 radio interviews and 8 tv segments;
- mobilised 300 business advisors from 250 local support organisations;
- engaged over 7,000 aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs.
Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers for making this possible!
In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be launching an exciting new report on entrepreneurship in seaside towns, celebrating the Centre’s second birthday and running more StartUp Britain campaigns across the country.
Have an enterprising week!
Matt
Director, Centre for Entrepreneurs
News
Almost 10,000 shops left vacant for more than three years as landlords struggle to fill units
Long-term shops vacancy rates have risen among shops ‘in the wrong location’, according to the Local Data Company. Read more. Read the report.
One in four start-ups motivated by social purpose or cause
27% of people that have approached enterprise support organisations are aiming to start a company with a social purpose or cause, according to a survey by the National Enterprise Network and UnLtd. Read more.
Hiscox signals an optimistic outlook
A ‘new air of confidence’ pervades the 7th annual Hiscox DNA of an Entrepreneur report, according to the insurance company’s CEO. The annual report surveys 4,000 business owners across six countries. Optimism levels have reached a three year high, except in France where the optimists are in the minority. Respondents in five of the six countries agreed the US is most entrepreneurial, while all six countries (including Spain) agreed Spain is the least entrepreneurial. Read the report.
Opinion
Why the sharing economy needs a democratic revolution
The rapidly growing influence of Silicon Valley owners over sharing economy platforms is a troubling development, writes Chris Martin (research fellow, The Open University). Read more.
The fabulous forties – the perfect age to start a business
With experience, networks and (hopefully) capital accrued, there’s a reason the average first-time entrepreneur is a fortysomething, writes Lottie O’Conor. Read more.
Natalie Massenet spotted the trend – two bosses don’t work
Net-A-Porter founder Natalie Massenet’s decision to quite while the tailor’s chalk on its merger with Yoox is still fresh makes a lot of sense, writes Jim Armitage. Read more.
The evolution of entrepreneurship policy in Wales
Dylan Jones-Evans (prof of entrepreneurship, UWE and Daily Post columnist) analyses the impact of the Welsh government’s actions (and inaction) on entrepreneurship activity in the country over the past 13 years. Read more.
Features
In the spotlight: Roaming Roosters
Simon Mellin explains how he and his brother Nick have cornered a growing market for sustainably reared meats. Read more.
Katrina’s silver lining: A renaissance of start-ups and angels
Forbes highlights the explosion in entrepreneurial activity that has occurred in New Orleans 10 years on from Hurricane Katrina. Read more.