Youth entrepreneurship refers to the creation and development of businesses by young people, typically those under the age of 30-35. It encompasses a wide range of activities, from small-scale self-employment to innovative startups with high growth potential.
In the UK, nearly 60% of young people say they dream of starting their own business, but only around 16% go on to do so according to the Federation of Small Businesses. Meanwhile, 62% of 18 to 30-year-olds are planning to launch a business in 2025, according to Enterprise Nation’s StartUp Ambition report.
Encouraging entrepreneurship among young people can be a way to generate employment, foster innovation, and build skills that are valuable both for business and the wider economy. Many governments, charities, and international organisations run initiatives to support youth entrepreneurship, which may include training, mentoring, access to finance, and networking opportunities.
Young entrepreneurs often face distinct challenges compared to older business founders. These can include limited access to capital, lack of business experience, and smaller professional networks. At the same time, young people may bring advantages such as adaptability, digital fluency, and fresh perspectives on emerging markets and technologies.
Policy discussions around youth entrepreneurship frequently focus on how best to equip young people with entrepreneurial skills through education, improve access to early-stage finance, and create supportive ecosystems that enable young founders to grow their businesses. The effectiveness of these interventions varies across contexts, and approaches are often adapted to reflect local labour markets and cultural attitudes towards entrepreneurship.
Further reading
Youth Business International — Youth Business International and Global Entrepreneurship Network Youth Entrepreneurship Trends and Policy Framework
Youth Business International — De-risking Youth Entrepreneurship and Unlocking the Missing Middle – Solutions to Drive Youth-led Economic Growth
Sam Dumitriu and Aria Babu — Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: What they think, how they work
This entry was written by Anita Tiessen. Anita is CEO of Youth Business International (YBI), the global leader in youth entrepreneurship. She leads YBI’s efforts to combine global influence with local expertise to drive economic growth and job creation through supporting and scaling youth-led businesses worldwide.