Money overtakes passion in start-up ambition
Good afternoon {{crm___first_name}}
In a world where the weekly shop is starting to feel like a luxury treat, our latest research shows Brits are fighting back - with side hustles. Our brilliant new StartUp Ambition report reveals something pretty seismic: four in 10 adults are now planning to start a business or side hustle in 2026, not just out of passion, but as a savvy shield against economic chaos.
Meet the “income injector” – the UK’s new breed of entrepreneur, using business as a tool for real-life resilience. We’ve been researching entrepreneurship for four years, and our new report looks at the ambition of UK people to be their own boss. A whopping 41% of the population at large want to launch a new venture. But the big thing for me is that, for the first time ever, hard economic reality has overtaken passion as the top reason to start something new.
If your 2026 to-do list says “find fresh ways to pay the bills,” you’re in good company. The UK’s entrepreneurial spirit isn’t just alive - it’s finding creative ways to thrive.
Meanwhile, the business rate hike coverage might be focused on pubs and restaurants, but the reality is that any rise in costs affects the whole supply chain. We speak to a yoga teacher and a web designer who are feeling the pinch too.
The founder’s guide to getting things done, by Rhea Freeman
How government procurement frameworks work – and how to access them, by Marc Gardner
Small business grants: 17 organisations that can provide you with funding, by Chris Goodfellow
Discover our new and improved Groups to connect with like-minded small business owners like never before. Get started by introducing yourself on the Discussions board.
New entrepreneurs say they’re driven by necessity over passion as economic pressure bite, by Angharad Carrick for This is Money
Calls for hospitality support grow as business rates outcry deepens, by Ali Lyons for City AM
Labour worker right concessions to cut costs to business by billions, analysis shows, by Richard Partington for The Guardian
Warning that 2,076 hospitality businesses could close this year, by Dan Martin for SME Web
💰 Win £25,000 to cover your tax bill with Sage
💻 Take a short survey to help us understand your awareness of support available and you could win £250
🤝 Meet like-minded founders in our new groups
Preparing for Self Assessment 2026: What you need to know
🗓 Thursday 15 January | Online
Prepare now to make the transition to Making Tax Digital smooth and stress-free.
Why founders get stuck - and how to move forward
🗓 Monday 19 January | Online
The real reason founders get stuck in the early stages, and why it’s rarely about motivation.
The rise of social proof: How to grow trust and sales
🗓 Tuesday 20 January | Online
Explore how to use social proof to attract new customers and boost loyalty.
Support for StartUps: Sell more and grow faster
🗓 Saturday 31 January | London
Develop a standout brand, engage and retain customers, and use social media and AI to work smarter.
You made it! ⭐
You’ve reached the bottom, but the conversation doesn’t stop here. We’d love your thoughts, feedback, or even a quick hello - hit reply to share what’s on your mind.