Disruptors
Richard Farleigh | How to Survive Modern Business
Feb 21, 2025
Richard Farleigh, a former Dragons' Den investor and successful entrepreneur with over 120 businesses, shares his inspiring journey from an Australian orphanage to the heights of UK entrepreneurship. He discusses the unique challenges facing UK startups, including funding issues and high taxes. Richard also reveals how even seasoned entrepreneurs contend with imposter syndrome. He emphasizes the importance of treating the first year of business as a research phase and reflects on the evolving role of AI in enhancing productivity and innovation.
01:30:26
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Quick takeaways
- Richard Farleigh emphasizes the increasing challenges for UK startups due to a negative funding landscape and reduced investor interest.
- The shift in employee priorities towards work-life balance over career growth has made talent recruitment more difficult for entrepreneurs in the UK.
Deep dives
Challenges in Startup Funding in the UK
Starting a business in the UK has become increasingly challenging due to a lack of available funding. Entrepreneurs often face hurdles when trying to raise capital, particularly for technology-focused ventures requiring substantial investment. While in the US, billionaires regularly finance startups with significant checks, UK investors tend to prioritize profitability and can lose interest in businesses not showing returns within three to four years. This negative funding landscape has led to a decline in startup growth, particularly for medium-sized firms, which has fallen to a six-year low.
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