But those of us building real businesses know that it’s rarely like that. Entrepreneurship is more personal, more complex – and often far quieter. That’s why now, more than ever, founders must step up and open the door for young people navigating the startup path for the first time.

A new generation is watching – but struggling to start

Ambition isn’t in short supply. Across the UK, young people are brimming with ideas, side hustles, and creative thinking. But last year saw the lowest rate of new business creation since 2010 – just 316,000 new ventures launched. The appetite is there. The access isn’t.

That disconnect is familiar to many startup owners. Many of our alumni reflect on the challenges of the early days: registering a business, opening a bank account, filing taxes, or pitching to investors (often without a safety net). For young entrepreneurs today, especially those without a network or family support or financial backing, those same hurdles are even steeper.

Many startups begin with informal backing – family who can offer a loan, cover rent, or make introductions. For young people from low-income backgrounds, that kind of informal support often isn’t available. 

These are real, immediate barriers. If we want a truly inclusive startup ecosystem, we need to recognise that talent alone isn’t enough. Founders, business leaders and policymakers all have a role in levelling the playing field.

Not everyone fits the mould

Too often, young people are shown a narrow version of what an entrepreneur “should” look like i.e. extroverted, technical, chasing unicorn status. That image is outdated. Founders today defy definition. Some of the most effective are introverted, neurodivergent, or building local businesses that serve real needs in their community. Many of the young people we work with will prioritise sustainability over profit if that’s what it takes.

We need to expand the definition of success. Building a sustainable one-person business, launching a mobile coffee cart, or offering digital services from home – all of these are entrepreneurial wins. And founders can amplify these stories by being visible, honest and supportive role models.

Founders as mentors, not just models

Young people aren’t asking for handouts. They’re asking for guidance.

That guidance doesn’t need to come through formal accelerators. It might be a coffee chat, a LinkedIn connection, a tour of your workspace, or a conversation about mistakes you wish you’d avoided. It’s about being the person you needed when you were starting out.

But right now, the support infrastructure simply isn’t there. Most crucial career advice takes place in schools, but teachers are not always well equipped to help those who want to follow an enterprise route rather than employment or further studies. This creates a disconnect between the classroom and the real world.

When young people do get exposure to business, through enterprise programmes or local initiatives, the results are transformative. Confidence grows. Communication improves. They start to see entrepreneurship as possible. But these moments are still too rare.

That’s where you come in. Mentorship doesn’t need to be flashy. A designer advising a teenager at a school open day. A plumber walking an apprentice through pricing and marketing. A successful local entrepreneur telling their story. Or even providing access to facilities, equipment or office space. These micro-mentorships can make a macro impact.

And if you’ve recently launched a business, you’re especially well placed to help. You remember the friction points, and that proximity is powerful.

What needs to change

We also need to tackle structural barriers. Why can a 16-year-old get a job but not open a business bank account? These inconsistencies discourage young entrepreneurs before they’ve even begun.

Founders must advocate for reform – calling for clearer, fairer policies that reflect the realities of 21st-century entrepreneurship. But this isn’t just the private sector’s job. Government needs to recognise enterprise education as essential, not optional, and support schools to deliver it meaningfully.

In the meantime, startup founders can act now. Visit schools. Mentor students. Partner with youth organisations. Create opportunities. Make space for younger voices.

The bottom line

Young people are already building, failing, and trying again. What they need is someone to believe in them, demystify the journey, and say, “You’ve got this.”

You don’t need to be a TV reality show host to make a difference. You just need to remember where you started and pay it forward.

For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.