In 2024-25, we advised more than 51,000 customers across the country and our reach spans every stage of the business journey. Notably, 25,085 customers were at the pre-start stage, and we celebrated the launch of 6,810 new businesses during the year.
It’s inspiring to see that 54% of these new start-ups were female-led, 35% were based in rural communities and 18% are based in disadvantaged areas, highlighting the inclusivity and accessibility of our services.
Throughout the year, we received over 30,000 enquiries and continued to host a wide range of events. We delivered 1,393 sessions focusing on start-up, growth, local, and digital themes. While in-person events increased, virtual delivery remained a core element, helping us stay connected to remote and independent business owners. Digital skills events alone attracted more than 11,000 attendees, contributing to an overall rise in participation, with over 25,000 attendees across our sessions.
Encouragingly, 70% of start-ups remained operational a year after launching, up 2% from the previous year. Looking ahead, 62% of businesses trading for one year expressed confidence about the future, signalling cautious optimism across the sector.
In 2024–25, we welcomed 475,448 visitors to our website. The Planning To Start tool played a key role, with over 11,000 users leveraging it to test and develop their business ideas – a 10% increase on the previous year.
Customer satisfaction remains high, with 81% reporting positive experiences, and 82% saying they’d recommend us to others. As we move into 2025–26, we remain committed to helping more people realise their potential and turn business ideas into thriving realities.