Research Shows Public Belief in Start-Ups

Research independently conducted on behalf of Australian start-up Gather, the social media platform which aims to support discussions between likeminded people, which is crowdfunding in the UK, has found that nearly half (49%) of people would like to see the government being more supportive of entrepreneurs and start-ups.

36% of those surveyed believe that there are bound to be many great ideas for products or services in the hands of start-up entrepreneurs. In addition, the popularity ofbusiness shows such as Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice have helped raise the subject of start-ups to the general public, with 34% saying they have been impressed with the calibre of innovation demonstrated by budding entrepreneurs on the shows. In fact, a quarter of those surveyed believe it is likely that an existing start-up has an idea that could rival an established brand’s product or service. David Price, CEO of Gather Online comments,

“ Public Support for start-ups is flourishing; even as an Australian start-up without EIS or SEIS eligibility we are in the process of a very successful crowdfunding campaign in the UK  for Gather, currently at 184% of our initial target. The research I have seen indicates that only 8% of businesses would consider crowdfunding as a form of investment, but we are proof that if you have the right product this can be a great way to seek growth and involve a very interested public.”

With the growing faith in the start-up community respondents would like to see the government give more support to entrepreneurs and start-ups, 36% think it is particularly important since the Brexit Referendum. The vast majority of those surveyed (92%) did not know that London is ranked as Europe’s #1 start-up capital. Price comments,

“ Australia has a supportive regime and ecosystem for Start-ups and it has been a key part of the current governments agenda. Crowdfunding legalisation has now passed our Senate, and so in future companies like Gather might well try crowdfund at home, unless incentivised and made adequately made aware of start-up support in the UK”

You can find out more about Gather at https://www.seedrs.com/gatheronline