The BBC’s Emma Barnett, pictured above, and her husband Jeremy Weil are to headline on stage at the UK’s biggest start-up event, inspiring thousands of entrepreneurs to launch their own business in 2025.
The Today Programme host co-founded children’s activity pack company Colour Your Streets, with Jeremy, head of product at the Economist’s Editorial Intelligence Unit, not long after the birth of their daughter earlier this year.
Inspired by pram walks around their local neighbourhood with their older son, they were surprised to learn colouring books featuring local areas were not a thing. So, they launched a business producing them. ‘Colour In Brixton’, swiftly followed by ‘Colour In Herne Hill’. There are now more than 100 books – and the pair are mapping more each week.
The Enterprise Nation Start Up Show was first launched in 2015 to support the growing number of entrepreneurs starting businesses in the UK, sharing the fascinating journeys to success from the UK’s most inspiring start-ups.
The event on January 25, in partnership with global digital marketing platform Constant Contact, will hear from a host of visionary start-ups like Mark Rushmore and Gyve Safavi, co-founders of sustainable electric toothbrush brand Suri who are busy disrupting the global dental market and Sandwich Sandwich co-founder Josh Kleiner, who will talk about how the firm’s bread obsession has impacted the UK’s lunch scene.
According to the latest Companies House data, the UK’s booming appetite to start a business is not abating – with 645,993 registered so far this year, despite the cost of registration tripling.
Emma Jones, left, CBE, founder and CEO of small business support platform and membership community Enterprise Nation, said: “The UK is a truly entrepreneurial nation. We know from our own research that more than a third of us will be making plans to start a business in 2025.
“Over the 11 years we’ve been running this show, we’ve seen the joyous ambition to start a business continue to grow, with people from all ages and backgrounds flocking to our annual event because they want to take control of their own professional and financial destiny and learn new skills and inspiration from others.
“Starting a business is one of the biggest journeys you can go on, from a personal and professional perspective. It’s also a journey with many twists and turns. This is an event for anyone who has ever dreamed of being their own boss and want to make it come true.”
Erika Robinson, UK General Manager of Digital Marketing platform, Constant Contact, added “At Constant Contact, we believe your business should be successful because you have a great product or service, not because you’re an expert marketeer.
As a small business owner myself, I understand the range of support and input needed. We are thrilled to support the Enterprise Nation Startup Show and all UK small businesses who play such a meaningful and dynamic role in the country’s economy.
Deepak Ravindran co-founded Oddbox, the UK’s first sustainable fruit and veg box delivery service, rescuing over 40,000 tonnes of fresh produce that would otherwise go to waste, supporting farmers and promoting sustainability.
He will be sharing his journey and tips along with award-winning advertising and social change entrepreneur Chris Baker, who will be taking to the stage to talk about his new book: Obsolete which details how brands can win the hearts, minds and spending of consumers by being purpose driven.
The event will be held at Sancroft, Christchurch Court, Paternoster Sq, London EC4M 7DQ on Saturday, 25 January 2025, from 9am to 4.15pm.
Tickets and details here enterprisenation.com/startupshow/
