BrewDog founder James Watt criticized the UK’s business climate, asserting it has become increasingly difficult to start a business, largely due to the Chancellor’s Budget. He announced a new reality show, “House of Unicorns,” which offers a £2 million prize for entrepreneurs to kickstart their ventures, inspired by frustration with traditional business shows like Dragon’s Den. Watt has invested £1 million of his own funds and aims to double the number of UK unicorns. He expressed concerns over Labour’s policies driving entrepreneurs abroad and emphasized the need for support to help businesses thrive amid current challenges.
BrewDog founder James Watt said: “There has never been a more difficult time to start a business in the UK” and blamed the Chancellor’s Budget for making it difficult for entrepreneurs.
The Scottish businessman, whose comments about work-life balance have sparked controversy in recent weeks, comes as he announces plans for a new reality show with the highest prize money in British TV history.
Watt is looking for entrepreneurs to join House of Unicorns. There you have the chance to win £2 million to help grow your business.
The entrepreneur, who co-founded craft beer giant BrewDog in Aberdeenshire in 2007, has invested £1m of his own money into the winning business, with further funding from Founders Capital, Europe’s largest community of founder investors. Invest £1 million.
Founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders will be putting themselves through their paces over six weeks in a bid to win £2 million in prizes.
Mr Watt said plans for the show arose out of frustration with the current selection of business investment shows such as Dragon’s Den and The Apprentice.
He said, “I’ve always been very disillusioned with, frankly, reality TV business shows that are long past their sell-by date, relying on well-worn tropes and tired stereotypes of entrepreneurs for comedic value.” “I was tired of the tired format.” . ”
He said he hoped to “double” the number of UK unicorns (companies valued at more than £1bn) through the show.
BrewDog founder James Watt (pictured) said: “There’s never been a more difficult time to start a business in the UK” and blamed the Chancellor’s Budget for making it difficult for entrepreneurs.
Finance Minister Rachel Reeves. Watts said: “I don’t think the autumn budget helped. We’re seeing founders leaving to run businesses overseas, so I really hope the momentum changes soon.” Ta.
But he believes Labour’s policies have made it harder to set up new businesses in the UK.
He added: “I think that’s partly why we wanted to do this because there has never been a more difficult time to start a business in the UK.”
“There are still plenty of great entrepreneurs and opportunities in the UK, but given the current environment, we believe some people may need additional support to reach their full potential and grow.
“I don’t think the autumn budget helped. We’re seeing founders leaving to run businesses overseas, so I really hope the momentum changes soon.”
Mr Watt is working with Sony and Whisper Productions to produce new shows and has already invested in a number of companies through his online show ‘The Next Unicorn’.
