Doug Richard launches business manifesto
Doug Richard thinks 2010 is a good time to start a business
Dragons' Den star Doug Richard is set to launch his new Entrepreneurs' Manifesto at a major conference, Growing a Successful Social Enterprise, today (19th January).
The businessman, who sat on the panel of Dragons during the first and second series of the hit show, wants a better deal for people looking to set up their own firms as the UK exits the recession.
His Empowering the New Wave manifesto will call for a system of tax breaks, funded by a radical overhaul of the government business support structure and aimed at easing the burden on start-up firms.
The manifesto highlights the need for a commitment to support apprenticeships across all business sizes to help create employment opportunities and suggests that the government should set aside a specific proportion of its procurement budget for small businesses.
It also outlines plans for the liberalisation of the legal structures surrounding social enterprises to assist more start-ups to help solve social issues.
Richard, who is founder of both the Cambridge Angels and the School School for Startups, said: "Entrepreneurship is simply a code word for people who start businesses. Small businesses account for some 90% of all businesses in the country and more than 50% of its GDP. [It also] produces the vast majority of all new jobs. If one wants an economy to grow, one has to grow small business."
Take action
- Be your own boss: start a business
- Read more on the manifesto
He went on to say that despite the problems facing entrepreneurs 2010 will be a good time to start a business as there are gaps in the market caused by the government and businesses cutting back, as well as a ready pool of skilled workers who have lost their jobs due to the downturn and are seeking employment.
"[Opportunities] are greater than ever so starting a business during a recession is actually a good idea not a bad idea," he added.
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