This post was originally published on this site.
More than a third of aspiring founders say they are driven to start a business to help tackle the high cost of living, new research reveals.
The study by small business support network Enterprise Nation found that 36% of wannabe entrepreneurs cite money as their main motivation, overtaking passion as the primary reason to start a business for the first time since the research began four years ago.
The report referred to them as “income injectors”, “a new breed of founder who views entrepreneurship as a strategic financial tool to protect their household from economic shocks”.
The annual Startup Ambition Report found that 41% of UK adults are considering launching their own venture in 2026, with many turning to side hustles to bridge the gap between their wages and their bills.
Younger people were the most enterprising with 62% of individuals aged 25-30 planning to start a business this year.
By region, Yorkshire & The Humber boasted the strongest entrepreneurial intent at 45%, followed by the North West at 43%, which the report said indicates robust local support for new ventures outside traditional hubs such as London.
In terms of sectors to start up in, craft/art businesses were popular at 14%, followed by food and drink/hospitality (12%), beauty (9%), and the tech/AI sector (8%).
Income expectations have risen since last year, with side hustlers anticipating first-year earnings of around £7,034 (up from £5,765 in 2025), and those planning full-time ventures expecting £36,887 (up from £34,000 last year).
The report also uncovered some of the key worries people have around starting-up: economic uncertainty (40%), high start-up costs (38%), concerns about finding customers (34%), and the overwhelming nature of knowing where to begin (29%) were top barriers.
Awareness of available government support was relatively low at 34%, although 33% expressed interest in initiatives like Start Up Loans.
Aaron Asadi, CEO of Enterprise Nation, said:
“We’re witnessing a significant and fundamental shift in how people are approaching entrepreneurship in today’s economic climate.
“With the pressures of rising living costs and ongoing financial uncertainty, more individuals are choosing to start a business as a way to take control of their financial future.
“This surge in “income injector” start-ups may be fuelled by challenging conditions, but it also highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of those determined to turn financial pressures into opportunities for growth and innovation.”
