We are only 6 weeks into a new year and already exciting research has revealed that four in 10 adults are planning to start a business or side hustle in 2026.
This research is from Enterprise Nation’s yearly StartUp Ambition Report* which tracks the nation’s appetite for entrepreneurship. The report shows that becoming a business owner is still high on the priority list and from an intent point of view, 31% of future business owners live in the south east region.
And younger entrepreneurs are leading the way, with an impressive 62% of 25 to 30 year-olds planning to start a business this year, underscoring a dynamic shift in career aspirations among Gen Z and millennials.
So with ambition like this, how do you take the first steps to entrepreneurship? Surrounding yourself with a good network and community of family, friends, business advisers and suppliers can be a great starting point. It can be hard both starting up as well as scaling up, so that’s why at Crawley Innovation Centre, we pride ourselves on creating a connected business community and environment.
From the moment you base yourself at the centre, not only do you get a modern workspace but we also offer at no extra cost, tailored specialist business support. Our Innovation Director, Fiona, can provide business mentoring and innovation strategy support, and this can range from advising on how to attract investors, navigate the funding landscape, business growth strategies and marketing.
If you would like to learn more about how we can support you in your first steps to entrepreneurship then drop us a line: info@crawley-ic.co.uk
*StartUp Ambition Report uses data from a survey conducted between 9 and 12 December 2025 and features responses from 2,100 UK adults. The survey was conducted by digital polling firm, Walr.