How the UK Can Push More Fast-Tracking Tech Companies—With a Hint of Pet Medicine Wisdom
Meet Andrew Bucher and Ivan Retzignac, the brains behind MedicAnimal. MedicAnimal started in 2007 as an online vet shop, and since then the co‑founders are on a mission: show the UK that e‑commerce speed can power every sector, from fast‑food to furry‑friends.
Why E‑Commerce is already the UK’s Superhero
- 73% of Britons shop online at least once a month.
- Britain boasts the world’s biggest online retail universe—fewer people buy at a physical shop than at a click!
- 2013’s e‑commerce trade surplus hit a whopping £720 m.
Despite all this, many UK tech start‑ups are stuck in the “old‑school” mindset: not sure how to merge modern tech with traditional industries.
MedicAnimal’s 2007 Dream (and the Why’s of e‑Commerce)
When Andrew and Ivan launched MedicAnimal, they weren’t daring to replace vets—they wanted to help vets! They thought, “Why not let a click-to-doctor approach make pet medicine as easy as buying a pint of lager?” Yet the market wasn’t convinced.
They struggled because many were skeptical of new tech in a “real‑world” industry. Authorities were wary; the public was conservative. The lesson? Create a bridge where innovators, investors, and traditional businesses can chat, play, and define shared growth.
Funding Fumbles: When the Bank Won’t Bother
- Tech companies often grow so fast they can’t show solid assets, leaving banks and even government schemes uneasy.
- Start‑ups own “soft” value—IP, software, vision—but not inventory or cash on hand.
- When the co‑founders chased the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) to get a £100 k earmarked loan, the bureaucracy stubbornly suggested they mortgage their own homes.
After weeding through the red tape and getting nothing, Andrew and Ivan made the bold decision: bootstrapping until 2010, then turning to external investors to give the business a lift.
What the Government Should Seriously Look At
1⃣ Speed Up Regulations – Let tech move faster than e‑commerce can.
2⃣ Innovate Financing Models – Adopt softer‑asset accounts or creative collaterals.
3⃣ Build a Collaboration Playground – Set up ecosystems where the “old‑timers” and “new‑timers” can trade ideas, not just Bitcoin.
4⃣ Boost the “Human” Aspect – Encourage diversity & talent exchange abroad so Britain can’t lose to next‑door countries in the next fast‑growth wave.
Bottom Line: Keep Up, Keep Growing, Keep Chewing on Assurance
With digital sales soaring like a cat on a hot window pane, the British government needs to act fast—less “paper trail” and more “digital trail.” And if they want to help entrepreneurs like Andrew and Ivan, they should show the same patience time they have in selling a pair of socks online. The future is happening right now; let’s tweak the rules, give a heart, and keep the tech engine revving.
Barclays to the Rescue: How the Bank Got Us on the Growth Train
We’ve had a sweet ride with Barclays. They’re the kind of bank that actually knows your tech hustle and has a built‑in champion for e‑commerce. But let’s face it: not all banks are born this way.
What Banks Really Need to Do
- Offer flexible rolling credit so you can hit those fixed costs—think office rent—without breaking the bank.
- Help startups see the light at the end of their financial tunnel.
- Make lending feel like a supportive buddy, not a bureaucratic wall.
Talent: The Real Bottleneck in the UK
They say hiring overseas talent should be easy, but in practice it’s a paperwork maze that can delay your good hires for months.
Problems We’ve Faced
- Visa procedures that feel like they belong in a different decade.
- Highly qualified candidates slipping through the cracks.
- A system that just isn’t keeping pace with our hiring speed.
What Needs to Change
Governments must cut through the red tape—speed up visas, simplify the hiring process, and give startups the talent arm you need.
Why the UK Is Losing Out on High‑Growth Tech Ventures
Many entrepreneurs are lured by the US: skip‑the‑bureaucracy, easy funding, tight‑knit communities. Whereas UK founders often sell to American giants once they hit a growth milestone.
Root Causes
- Insufficient government support for rapid expansion.
- No clear roadmap for scaling beyond a certain size.
- A culture that feels more “sell to a bigger fish” than “grow and lead.”
What Could Change This
If the UK made it easier to grow on steroids—real fast growth, not just a slow climb—we’d see more tech giants pop up, leading to a stronger economy for everyone.
A Nod to the UK’s Future Fifty Initiative
We’m grateful that the government recognizes fast‑growing companies like ours. But it’s a lot more useful when the support starts from day one rather than after you’re almost halfway to success.
One Simple Ask
Have a startup listening ear from the get‑go. That matters more than a half‑hearted shoutout.
Read Securing Britain’s Growth online now:London business leaders tackle boosting enterprise, nurturing talent, growing exports, driving digital and securing growth in key industry sectors
Our securing Britain series:
SECURING BRITAIN’S TALENT
SECURING BRITAIN’S FUTURE
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