For the third year running, the campaign is set to take its double decker bus filled with start-up experts and business champions to 25 towns and cities across the UK to deliver help and support to the growing number of people who are becoming entrepreneurs in Britain.
It kicks off on Saturday July 13 in London’s Portobello Road Market.
Start-up and micro businesses account for 95 per cent of all British businesses, provide employment for 7.8 million people and contribute 20% of private sector turnover.
StartUp Britain co-founder Emma Jones said: “Since we launched StartUp Britain two years ago, we’ve seen record numbers of people starting businesses and creating their own value in the UK.
“By taking our bus around towns and cities in England, Scotland and Wales, we want to give people the confidence to find their inner entrepreneur – and provide a boost to their own local economy.”
This year the bus is set to visit Birmingham, where it will start-up a local business in a day, chat to holiday makers in one of Britain’s favourite summertime youth destination Newquay, as well as visiting Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Hereford, Market Harborough and Carlisle plus a host of others.
In his report Growing Your Business, Enterprise Adviser Lord Young said businesses that get outside help and support do better than those that don’t.
Lord Young said: “Outside assistance has a strong and positive impact on the growth of a small business. However, much more needs to be done to encourage firms to invest in their own performance. As well as an overall mood of confidence in the economy, firms need to build confidence in their own skills.”
StartUp Britain campaign is supported by top firms, including Intuit, PayPal and BT – and it has the backing of the Department for Business, Industry and Skills.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “There are a record number of start-ups and small businesses in the UK, even in tough times. There is also plenty of government help and support to start your own business. So if you’ve ever thought about it then I encourage you to take the next step and make it a reality.
“The StartUp Britain bus will bring direct advice to budding entrepreneurs across the country. Its advisers can tell you how to get a Start-Up Loan, or how to find out about mentoring.”
Mark Little, UK MD of Intuit, said: “New start-up businesses have the potential to stimulate the UK’s economy and we congratulate StartUp Britain for inspiring entrepreneurs throughout the country. Businesses like ours have a duty to support start-ups with the tools they need to survive, thrive and contribute to long-term growth and that’s why Intuit is committed to helping young entrepreneurs manage their finances and get paid quickly. We are looking forward being inspired on the bus tour again this summer.”
Mark Brant from PayPal said: “It’s very encouraging to see how many people have started their own businesses since StartUp Britain was launched in 2011. The online revolution has made it easier than ever for people to set up their own business – you can be trading in minutes. So there’s never been a better time to become your own boss.”
