Your weekly summary of entrepreneurship news, comment, and features. Sent by the Centre for Entrepreneurs (home of StartUp Britain). Sign up here. Read the original newsletter here.
StartUp Britain launches national enterprise support map
StartUp Britain (run by the Centre for Entrepreneurs) has today launched a national enterprise support map – helping aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs find local support organisations, accelerators, library business services and more. Visit the StartUp Britain website.
Enterprise support organisations – add your support organisation to the crowdsourced map by clicking ‘Add a pin’.
News
2015 a record year for startup formation
The latest Companies House data, as analysed by the Centre for Entrepreneurs, reveals that 2015 had the highest number of new company formations on record – with over 600,000 new businesses started. This compares to 581,173 startups formed in 2014 (itself a record). Full statistics will be released tomorrow.
In the press: Revealed – Britain’s startup hotspots (The Sunday Times)
London tech startups raised $2.3bn from investors in 2015
Standard: London tech startups raked in $2.3bn in venture capital investment in 2015; two thirds more than 2014 and 62% of the UK total. Read more.
Row over small business tax returns
Economia: An online petition against the government’s new plans to introduce quarterly reporting for small businesses has reached the statutory number of signatures that could see a debate forced in Parliament. Read more.
Bosses in Sheffield, Nottingham, Birmingham and Scotland to be most affected by National Living Wage Real Business: According to a recent study by the Resolution Foundation, implementing the National Living Wage will prove a greater challenge in the above areas, where up to one third of employees will be impacted.
“While our analysis suggests the pay rise should be affordable for most firms, implementing the new wage floor will be challenging for some employers. That’s particularly true in areas where wages tend to be lower” said Conor D’Arcy (policy analyst, Resolution Foundation). Read more.
Opinion
Tax plans to bind small firms with more red tape? No thanks Strong opposition is growing among small business owners to government proposals for quarterly tax returns, writes Matthew Searle (small business owner and elected director of IPSE). Read more.
It’s time to get behind British food and drink businesses As the successful entrepreneur behind organic baby and toddler food business Ella’s Kitchen, Paul Lindley explains why the UK’s food and drink businesses are a key ingredient to the nation’s export success. Read more.
A year in review for London technology Russ Shaw (founder, Tech London Advocates) examines the biggest tech developments and challenges in London in 2015. Read more.
Why entrepreneurs need to exude confidence to breed confidence Charlie Mullins (founder, Pimlico Plumbers): As reliable as the chimes of Big Ben every New Year’s Eve is the waves of resolutions that people break as quick as they set them. However, for 2016, I’d like to see entrepreneurs and business owners make one commitment they stick to – to stay confident. Read more.
Features
New year, new career? Ditch the doomed gym plan and start a business Guardian: Entrepreneurs who took advantage of New Year’s Eve optimism to launch a business talk about their experiences. Read more.
Reg Ward: The man who transformed London’s Docklands CapX: The unusual approach of this public sector entrepreneur was essential to the redevelopment of London’s Docklands. Read more.
Does it take money to make money? The Royal Society of Arts has launched a short film to draw attention to the connection between affluence and self-employment. Watch the video.
Startups in Australia: From lucky to plucky The Economist: An entrepreneurial prime minister calls for a culture of innovation. Read more.