Britain’s Mobilepreneur Explosion: 31,900 Start‑ups on the Horizon
Get ready, because a fresh report from O2 Business and research gurus at Development Economics reveals a three‑year sprint of small‑business boom. The key player? Mobilepreneurs – folks who launch and steer their ventures straight from the palm of their hand.
What the Numbers Say
- 31,900 new companies ready to pop up, all with a smartphone as their launchpad.
- These digital‑first businesses could create 35,500 jobs – that’s a lot of coffee‑machine hires.
- Adding roughly £790 million to UK GDP – a boost that would make even the dry‑walled economic pundits smile.
The 10 Biggest Roadblocks
According to the O2 Business report, the top barriers that keep entrepreneurs stuck behind the wheel include:
- Access to tech – can you afford the latest gadget?
- Costly, rigid mobile tariffs that scream “nope!” to flexibility.
- Up‑front start‑up costs that make you wish you had a magic wand.
- …and seven more that we’re keeping in the back pocket.
Kate Mulligan‑Brown on the Need for Change
“The UK won’t bounce back fully until we tear down the walls holding back aspiring entrepreneurs,” remarks Kate Mulligan‑Brown of O2 Business. “Those pricey, inflexible tech tariffs are a real spoiler—they don’t give a single month the leeway a budding business needs. Removing that barrier is the first step to unleashing a wave of new mobilepreneurs.”
O2 Business’ Game‑Changing Flex Package
To crack the bottleneck, O2 Business has rolled out the Ultimate Flex Package for SMBs. Designed to grow with you, it offers:
- Contract lengths as short as 30 days – no long‑term commitments.
- Automatic data rollover each month – your bandwidth stays where you need it.
- Data tariffs that fluctuate up or down based on your business’s real needs.
- On‑demand digital tools: Add Office 365, McAfee, or anything else that keeps your business savvy.
With this new flexibility, the idea of starting a business from a phone won’t just be a concept – it’s a reality in the making.
Young people bounce back from lockdowns to lead mobilepreneur economy
Why Millennials and Gen Z Are About to Reign Supreme in the Mobilepreneur Scene
After a year that turned coffee shops into ghost towns and classrooms into digital walls, a fresh wave of young entrepreneurs is emerging. These kids with pocket‑sized incubators are poised to claim the title of the jiu‑jitsu masters of the “mobilepreneur” arena.
Numbers that Make You Blink Twice
- 31,900 new businesses are slated to pop up, according to the O2 Business report.
- Millennials (25‑34) will launch about 11,800 of them – that’s roughly one‑third of the total.
- Gen Z (16‑24) follows suit with 8,900 new startups.
So, if you thought the youngest generation were all about TikTok and avocado toast, think again!
From Lockdown to Livelihood
Remember that first national lockdown when everything froze in March‑2020? That’s when the entrepreneurial spark ignited.
- 67% of 18‑24 year olds tried their hand at selling stuff on smartphone marketplaces.
- One‑third (31%) sold ten or more items – talk about hustle!
- For many, the app‑based side‑gig served as a “lifeline” – 43% reported it brought in some extra cash, which helped cover tuition or rent.
Why Turn to Smartphone Sales?
It’s simple: need more dough, time for studies, and that extra push to keep the phone battery humming. These sales weren’t just a nifty hobby; they were a supplement that helped keep the student’s ledger in check.
Final Thought
From the eerie silence of closed universities to the thunder of “happening now” business openings, millennials and Gen Z have proven they’re not just the next wave—they’re the whole tidal surge. Grab your phone, get creative, and watch the entrepreneurial tide rise.
London to recover whilst North, East and Scotland will see business boost
London’s Mobilepreneur Momentum Keeps Rolling on Amid a Tough Economic Year
Even though the economy has taken a bit of a tumble, London’s buzzing with fresh ideas and new jobs, according to O2 Business’s latest report. The city is set to launch 11,900 mobilepreneur businesses in the next three years—thanks to the right mix of people, productivity and a dash of entrepreneurial spirit.
Top Regions for New Starts
- London – 11,900 starts
- East of England – 3,600 starts
- North East – 3,300 starts
- Scotland – 2,400 starts
- Yorkshire – 2,300 starts
That’s great news for the government’s “levelling up” plan. These regions are the darlings of the report, poised to attract the most new businesses.
Story Time from the Front Lines
Jemma Broadstock – The Devon Mobile Mentor
Jemma, 25, runs Collectively Done, a virtual‑assistant agency she built entirely on her smartphone. “It was way easier than I thought,” she chuckles. “I set up two businesses, mentored others, and it’s all done from my phone. I can work from anywhere—be it a beach, a bus stop, or my couch.”
She adds that social media hunting for clients, banking through apps, and a thriving virtual network gave her the freedom she craved. “Before I began, I assumed launching a company required a huge investment and a big office. Turns out, I could do it all from my phone and only the real barrier was not realizing what I was capable of.”
Kyle Frank – Vegan Skincare Pioneer
Kyle, 26, founded Frank’s Remedies while still at university, battling acne for years. He travelled worldwide to learn how different cultures tackled skin issues, using an international data plan to stay in touch with local farmers for natural ingredients.
Back home in the UK, his smartphone spun the site, shaped the business plan, and let him tweak everything on the fly. “The flexibility was a game-changer, and I saved loads on gear—no laptops, no extra cameras. My phone handled the photography, and quality was still top‑notch.”
Kate Mulligan‑Brown – The O2 Champion
Kate stresses the next few years are pivotal for rebuilding a balanced, inclusive economy. Her report champions a diverse array of mobilepreneurs, saying “All you really need is a smartphone, the right support, and a tariff you control.” She’s all in for backing these entrepreneurs everywhere.
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