The Entrepreneurs Network report highlights contribution of foreign-born founders to UK entrepreneurial ecosystem
The Entrepreneurs Network (TEN) has published a report analysing the impact of foreign-born founders on the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, titled ‘Job Creators 2025’. The report finds that 54 of the UK’s 100 fastest-growing companies have a foreign-born founder or co-founder, the highest proportion since the research began in 2019. Of the 219 founders examined, 91 (42%) were born overseas. It notes that, among the 54 immigrant-founded or co-founded companies, 24 were established entirely by foreign-born teams, while 30 were joint ventures between British-born and immigrant co-founders. The findings suggest that immigrant founders complement, rather than compete with, their British-born counterparts, helping to drive innovation, competitiveness and job creation. However, the report warns that recent immigration restrictions could deter the highly skilled individuals essential to sustaining the UK’s startup economy. It highlights the need for an immigration system and wider policy environment that remain navigable and attractive to global entrepreneurial talent