Between 2013/14 and 2020, I was deeply immersed in the entrepreneurial and medical device start-up communities across Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA and the United Kingdom. During this period, I split my time between these two locations, though from 2014 to 2018, I was primarily based in Minnesota.
A Comparative Insight Between the UK and Minneapolis, Minnesota
In the post-Covid landscape, I’ve had the opportunity to once again compare the entrepreneurial ecosystems in both regions, specifically in the med-tech, AI, and travel sectors. The entrepreneurial spirit in both the UK and Minnesota is similarly ambitious, with exciting innovations being pursued. However, there is a stark contrast in the level of support available to entrepreneurs and start-ups in each location.
In London and across the United Kingdom, opportunities are heavily constrained. Small business networks try earnestly to cultivate connections that might lead to investment through business angels. However, these groups often overpromise and underdeliver (not all I must add as some good ones exist like SU2SU). Investors in the UK seem stuck in a cycle of risk aversion, and UK government grants, while theoretically available, come with so many strings attached that they often hinder rather than help start-ups. Matching funds are frequently required, and collaborations with educational institutions are mandated, making it exceptionally challenging for early-stage ventures to gain traction, and most only offer 75% of the award, meaning that the start-up will need to find 25%, too.
Conversely, the United States, particularly in Minnesota, offers a far more proactive environment. Business groups, entrepreneur conferences, and networking events abound, providing easier access to venture capital and business angels. In Minnesota’s vibrant “Medical Alley” community, start-ups have ample opportunities to secure investment, build connections, and grow through a collaborative network that genuinely supports innovation.
In the UK, there are numerous business parks and science hubs trying to pivot towards fostering innovation, yet they often lack the vision and dynamism that characterises their American counterparts. Being based primarily in the UK now has opened my eyes to just how challenging it is to launch, grow, and sustain a business here, and even if you do succeed in the first few years, you are always only several months away from some oncoming trauma.
The UK is brimming with innovation; historically, the British have always been inventive. Yet successive governments have underfunded both entrepreneurs of all ages and experienced innovators. This has led to a dog-eat-dog environment where entrepreneurs are forced to compete for limited funding through pitch events that have popped up all over the country. Those who do secure funds often face absurd conditions, and the investment community tends to operate in a herd mentality—if one declines, the rest follow suit, and if one invests, the others pile in. In contrast, my experiences in Minnesota have been consistently positive. Business groups actively encourage each other to invest with a friendly and open approach to collaboration that fosters a sense of community. There’s always capital available if one is willing to search diligently, and no matter the party in power in the White House, grants are available to start-ups and others that are very good indeed.
My time in Minneapolis and the broader Twin Cities area is filled with fond memories. From day one, regardless of the level of management I engaged with, I was welcomed with open arms, helpful advice, and genuine kindness. They call it “Minnesota Nice,” but I see it as a realistic and professional approach to business, where enjoyment and teamwork are prioritised, and everyone’s success is celebrated.
In the UK, however, it often feels like every man or woman is for themselves across every sector. There is a severe lack of accessible funds for start-ups, which makes entrepreneurship an uphill battle. Reflecting on my experiences, it’s clear that the United States, regardless of its political complexities, is a far friendlier place for developing a start-up. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to succeed from day one, while in the UK, success seems to be penalised from the outset. The system is set up with so many regulatory hurdles, taxes, and bureaucratic red tape that it feels like trying to sail full speed ahead while being constantly anchored down by multiple anchors, not just one.
Another question that has plagued me throughout my four decades in business is this: Why are so many British start-ups forced to sell to large American or international corporations just as they are beginning to scale? This trend is driven by venture capitalists and shareholders who are fixated on quick returns and are more than happy to see British companies sold off. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, the problem lies in the fact that the proceeds from these sales rarely flow back into the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Only a small fraction is reinvested into supporting other start-ups, stifling further innovation.
Looking at the two regions from a global entrepreneurial perspective, the way you launch your business and the environment you operate in are crucial. If you’re forced to start in the UK, as many are, you’re essentially thrown into hard, unyielding soil where you must fight to grow. Meanwhile, someone with a similar idea in the US, especially in the mid-west, like the state of Minnesota, could be soaring within two years while you’re still struggling to get off the ground.
This, ultimately, is my perspective on the differences between starting a business in the United Kingdom versus Minneapolis, Minnesota.
