For all of the talk in recent times about "UK plc" being buffeted by all manner of pressures both internal and external – you're probably exhausted with the constant references to "the pandemic", "the cost-of-doing-business crisis" and "tariffs" in articles like this one – it seems that the UK's legendary entrepreneurial appetite is alive and well in 2025.
Well, this appears to be the case if certain recent findings are borne out. You might have read a certain report from Enterprise Nation at the start of the year, for example, that indicated a whopping 47% of UK adults were considering starting a business or side hustle in 2025.
Or what about NatWest and Beauhurst's New Startup Index, which disclosed in February that the number of businesses active in the UK – more than 5.6 million – had reached a new record?
There’s more reason for hope than you might think – but vigilance is crucial
You get the idea; there seems to be more corporate optimism up and down the UK at the moment than is often claimed.
However, such is the inherent precarity of start up life – with about a fifth of new businesses apparently failing in their first year – there is never any room for complacency.
If you're planning to launch a new start up in 2025, the statement above extends to you, too. So, let’s take a look at some of the crucial things for start ups and entrepreneurs to know.
Whether they're ready to launch a business
This might seem an overly "obvious" inclusion, but anyone contemplating the launch of a new business needs to be clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. Those early days, weeks, and months of a startup's operation are routinely very demanding and unforgiving.
As a business owner, you will need not only relevant skills and other resources, but also sheer persistence to push through those times of doubt and financial stress.
So, be sure to ask yourself certain tough questions from the outset. Will you be able to cope with month after month of uncertain income? Will you also be confident in taking difficult decisions every day, and showing leadership even at times when you're unsure yourself?
If you can answer the above questions with a "yes", you will probably be well-placed to commence liftoff.
What their unique selling point (USP) is
So much has been written about what a given business' USP is – it refers to what makes the business stand out from its competitors.
Hopefully, by the time you read this, you will have already identified your prospective startup's USP. If, in addition, you can confidently and clearly communicate the special quality of your business that makes it impossible for your target audiences to ignore you, this will be a further sign of your readiness for the formal launch.
What digital strategy and technological solutions they will be pursuing
At a time when industries are being upended and reshaped by such fast-moving technologies as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and 5G, it is imperative that before you launch your start up, you have a strong sense of your new business' digital "roadmap".
In other words: how will you be drawing upon relevant tech to help power your start up's operations and success? What will that specific tech be, and why?
Let's assume that you will begin by making sure you have a professional-looking website and solid search engine rankings for relevant terms. Even in this situation, you will still be well-advised to seek out the right specialist SEO agency in London – or elsewhere in the UK – to help ensure your online campaigns are pointed in the right direction.
Prepare well to help ensure long-term business success
Whatever you ultimately do with your start up, if you're launching this year, you will need to be smart, well-prepared, and agile.
A high level of knowledge and awareness about the above elements will help maximise the chances of your start up not just surviving, but also thriving in the long run.
Copyright 2025. Featured post made possible by Ink Digital.