StartUp Britain is celebrating the growing number of people starting businesses in Britain with a happy birthday message atop the iconic BT tower.
StartUp Britain was launched on March 28 2011 by the Prime Minister David Cameron to celebrate, accelerate and inspire enterprise in the UK. Today it celebrates two successful years in which it has taken the start-up message to thousands of Britons looking to become their own boss.
Last year saw the number of businesses registered at Companies House up by almost ten per cent. The Barclays Entrepreneurs Index showed there was a 14% increase companies with shares changing hands in the second half of the year and a 50% increase in early stage entrepreneurial activity amongst people aged between 18 and 29 was observed in a separate analysis.
This year the campaign hopes to see 500,000 businesses started in the UK.
BT Business is part of a collective of forward-thinking big businesses that have invested in the British economy by helping start-ups to grow and flourish via the campaign’s work.
StartUp Britain co-founder Emma Jones said: “This is an incredible way to celebrate the growing number of people who are seizing the day, making the most of opportunity and starting their own business! BT is a great example of a big business helping small – and we’re delighted to be able to literally shout it from the rooftops!”
Last year StartUp Britain visited 40 colleges and universities, delivered free events for fledgling businesses about finance, social media, tech, design, marketing, fashion and food. It has 121 local champions in towns and cities across the UK helping to spread the word.
BT Business General Manager for Marketing and Communications, Claire Sadler said: “BT Business is delighted to sponsor StartUp Britain and help them see in their second birthday. Our mission is to make technology work for people, and that applies to businesses of all sizes, including those just starting out on their journey”.
