London’s start-up crown is slipping as founders eye the exit

This is an article by Liz Barclay – copyright https://business111.com/news

Britain likes to call itself a world-class destination for entrepreneurs, but many founders are becoming less convinced. New research from The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN) suggests that high costs, taxes and weak international promotion are damaging the country’s appeal.

Even London, Europe’s leading start-up hub, is losing some of its shine.

Founders’ verdict

Seven in ten founders say Britain does a poor job of promoting itself internationally, while tax remains the single most important factor influencing where entrepreneurs choose to build their businesses.

Britain’s biggest strengths remain investment incentives, the strength of English law, access to venture capital and the ease of starting a business.

London’s problem

London still offers prestige, investment opportunities and valuable networks, but founders are increasingly questioning whether the benefits outweigh the costs.

More than half of London-based entrepreneurs have considered leaving the capital, with soaring living costs and rising business expenses cited as the main reasons.

A branding problem

The UK has the ingredients for success but is struggling to tell its story. Founders want stability, incentives and confidence that success will be rewarded rather than punished.

Britain does not need to reinvent itself. It simply needs to make entrepreneurship attractive again. If it fails to do that, more founders may decide to build their futures elsewhere.

This is an article by Liz Barclay – copyright https://business111.com/news

If you are a small business, self employed or freelance -register to get free 24/7 help for your business – @business111com