Ten trends in Business Nurseries

Co-working spaces growing in number; and providing increasing support

Startups declining in number, (despite apparent continuing increase in self-employment) with a higher proportion in tech fields

Entrepreneurialism continues its attraction; but focuses on founders more than followers

Increasing use of Competitions and Prizes

Growth in Accelerators dominated by Corporates

Startups continue to be idea-focused, with a slight shift towards a problem/opportunity-focus

Investors increasingly focusing on businesses that are near to market

VC industry needs bigger and more expert players

Support continues to be undervalued; and under-managed

In terms of economic benefits, to-day’s focus is now as much on Scaleups as it is on Startups, but the scene is foggier

John Whatmore, July 2018