This shift, revealed by new research from Estonia’s e-Residency programme, marks a significant turn in UK entrepreneurship towards international markets, moving away from solely local dynamics.

A survey of 1,000 UK business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs examines the swiftly evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem. It emphasises the necessity for innovative solutions to navigate bureaucratic challenges, underscoring the importance of advanced digital services and mobility as crucial drivers for success this year.

Borderless business

As UK businesses navigate the complexities of a globalised economy, entrepreneurs are adjusting their strategies to tap into international markets and boost cross-border trade. This proactive shift is reflected in the attitudes and actions of UK business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs:

• Generational divide in global ambition: 70% of Millenial and Gen Z respondents are eager to set up shop abroad – more than double the rate of Baby Boomers (34%).
• The rise of digital nomadism: Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents are exploring or have adopted a digital nomad lifestyle, using the latest tech to manage business operations from anywhere.
• Building worldwide webs: Three in five respondents (60%) are engaging in global partnerships and collaborations to extend their reach and drive innovation through diverse insights.

AI takes centre stage, again

UK entrepreneurs are redefining their global strategies by elevating AI and emerging technologies from handy tools to transformative assets for business growth. This shift signals an increasing reliance on innovative digital solutions across the entrepreneurial landscape:

• Tech takeover: While it’s no surprise that tech-savvy entrepreneurs are leveraging the likes of blockchain, AI and cloud computing, what's striking is the scale of adoption – 90% of respondents are already leveraging these technologies to boost operational efficiency.
• Generational tech divide:  77% of Millenial and Gen Z respondents view these technologies as crucial or highly important to their operations, compared to only 27% of Baby Boomers.
• Digital drives growth: Over half of respondents (52%) are likely to scale up this year using digital platforms, highlighting a demand to embrace online tools as a pathway to expansion.

Next tech wave: Digital identity

Digital identity technologies are gaining traction in today’s business landscape as awareness of their potential to mitigate the rising threat of fraud increases. Yet, these tools are not just for secure identity verification; they empower entrepreneurs to manage businesses online, perform transactions globally and handle everything from banking to tax filing, regardless of physical location. Despite their vast potential, awareness of these technologies is surprisingly low. This gap underscores a need for education and reveals an opportunity for those ready to embrace these solutions:

• Limited awareness: Just 1 in 5 respondents (20%) report being highly aware of digital identity technology, despite its potential to enhance security, trust and transparency for businesses.
• Enhancing operational efficiency: Nonetheless, when asked to pick its most important benefits, a third of respondents (33%) highlighted significant efficiency gains as a top advantage. By simplifying identity verification, these technologies can cut down on administrative overhead.
• Security as a priority: Similarly, a third of respondents (33%) believe enhanced data security is a key benefit, underscoring the role of this tech in safeguarding business and customer data.
• Key to future expansion: A forward-looking 22% of respondents already consider these tools as essential for their global expansion plans within the next year. This more than doubles to 47% over a ten-year horizon, reflecting a growing consensus on their importance.

Current state of UK entrepreneurship

Individuals navigating the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, built for compliance and accountability, recognise this landscape involves a blend of challenges and rewards. This understanding fosters a proactive community, eager to tackle obstacles and seize opportunities for big wins:

• Brexit transition: As the nation continues to adapt to the post-Brexit environment, almost half of respondents (46%) are still navigating through the complexities it brings.
• Securing new investments: Despite facing various challenges, 65% of Gen Z and Millennial respondents have expressed their eagerness to expand their business either domestically or internationally this year if they manage to secure new investments.
• Defying economic pressure: Additionally, 38% of all respondents are still gearing up for growth this year, despite the challenges of inflation and rising operational costs.
• Bureaucratic red tape: Taking a deep dive into the supportiveness of the UK business environment, 31% of respondents feel the impact of administrative processes, while nearly a quarter (24%) dedicate 11-20 hours weekly to regulatory adjustments alone.
• Government support: When asked to choose their top two priorities for support, financial incentives such as tax reliefs and grants came out on top; equally critical is the demand for streamlined business processes, from tax procedures to business setup.

Liina Vahtras, Head of Estonia’s e-Residency programme, commented: “Entrepreneurs across the globe are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. To succeed in today's interconnected world, businesses must embrace new models of collaboration and competition, looking beyond local markets to seize global opportunities. By investing in innovative technologies and fostering a culture of adaptability, entrepreneurs can reach new heights, regardless of their location. These strategies are essential for both emerging and established businesses to thrive in a global economy.”