Research from e-Residency shows a pretty promising but restless startup scene. It says 90% of founders would start a company in Britain again, yet 57% say post Brexit barriers make the EU more appealing for growth. The study also says 77% feel positive about the UK’s position over the next three years, though many say progress is going up faster in other regions.
One reason is smoother systems abroad. The findings say 55% see digital first registration in other markets as an advantage. Half say foreign talent programmes are easier to use and help them move faster.
Europe stands out with the research saying 74% choose it as their preferred region for expansion. Founders link this to easier procedures and a market that supports early growth without heavy delays.
How Central Has Digital Trust Become?
Digital trust now guides business choices. Research from e-Residency says 88% believe it decides which startups win. It adds that 85% place digital infrastructure on the same level as physical networks when trying to keep operations stable. Another 84% say trust now carries the same weight as product quality or price when customers choose who to buy from.
These views come from direct experience. The study says 73% faced online risk or misinformation in the past year. It also says 26% have already seen AI fakes or false profiles harm their sector.
The financial strain pretty evident… Founders now spend about 16% of their operational budgets on digital trust, verification and security. Many see this as the cost of staying credible in a crowded market.
Governments are now part of the conversation. The research says 84% want stronger action on digital resilience and 78% say any company that ignores trust risks losing access to important markets.
What Pressures Slow Their Growth?
The strain inside UK companies is going up. The study says 89% face skills shortages. It adds that 29% felt a critical effect over the past year. AI and data science shortages hit 79%, while cybersecurity shortages hit 80%.
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Founders feel this pressure in their personal lives. The research says 95% feel their wellbeing is affected. It adds that 44% deal with stress or burnout often. A further 37% face financial insecurity linked to business survival, and 34% find it hard to manage both family life and founder duties.
Mentorship gaps contribute as well. Research from e-Residency says 18% feel isolated and lack senior guidance that would help them grow faster.
What Kind Of Businesses Do Founders Expect To See Next?
British founders see a very different business environment ahead. Research from e-Residency says 75% think most startups will be AI first by 2030. It adds that 70% fear any company that ignores AI could fall behind within five years. It also reports that 76% already use AI to build products and 71% say AI has opened new revenue streams or markets.
Growth is becoming borderless and the research says 74% expect companies built for global operations from day one to become the standard. It also says the same number expect digital ecosystems to guide expansion more than physical hubs.
With policies, the study says 70% feel uncertain regulation is slowing cross border expansion. Over half, at 51%, want faster and clearer rules for AI and digital identity. Another 42% wants greater investment in digital infrastructure and R and D. Another 39% want higher standards for cybersecurity and digital resilience.
Liina Vahtras, Managing Director at e-Residency, underlined the urgency for more predictable systems: “Digital trust has become the passport for global business, and founders will cross borders in whichever direction offers certainty and speed. UK entrepreneurs are loyal – they want to build here – but they’re also realistic about where digital systems make their lives easier.
“e-Residency is proof of how powerful that can be. When a founder can create and run a company remotely, with trusted digital identity and seamless compliance, it frees them to focus on growth instead of bureaucracy.
“With 79% of UK entrepreneurs saying government-backed digital infrastructure will determine who scales internationally by 2030, the path ahead is clear: trust, predictability and digital-first processes are the foundation of global competitiveness.”
