The role of founder is having its moment in the North. It not only outpaces London, but also the national average - signalling a considerable shift in where UK businesses are being launched.

LinkedIn’s annual Jobs on the Rise list, tracking the fastest-growing roles over the past three years, places founder or entrepreneur near the top in multiple Northern regions. The role ranks 2nd in Leeds and Liverpool, and 6th in Manchester. By comparison, founder sits 8th nationally and 9th in London.

This promising rise of Northern founders is reshaping the UK business landscape. But in order to sustain growth, we must move our attention from starting up to scaling up by creating the right conditions for long-term success.

Creating the conditions for growth

Access to funding
Access to funding is an essential catalyst for growth for scaling businesses across the UK. While London-based firms still attract roughly eight times more funding than those outside the capital, Northern regions are becoming increasingly attractive for investors. In 2024, the North West was one of the top foreign direct investment (FDI) destinations, and Northern regions are also seeing a sharp rise in combined FDI. This is driven by manufacturing and technology and supported by lower entry costs and high rental demand.

At BGF, 74% of the capital we have deployed has gone to businesses outside London and the South East, filling a long-standing gap in regional investment. We also have three offices across the North, in Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle, so are very much embedded in the local financial community. Sustained focus on funding outside the capital will be essential to bolster business growth in our UK regions.

Embracing the North’s thriving ecosystems
Founders are more likely to succeed when they can leverage their local ecosystem. Across the North, regional hubs are evolving, each offering a mix of talent, capital and support to help businesses grow.

These ecosystems rely on strong connections between startups, mentors, universities and investors, giving founders access to guidance, research expertise and early funding to turn ideas into viable companies. Regional hubs also provide practical advantages: shared workspaces reduce costs, specialist training develops commercial skills, and a collaborative culture helps founders tackle challenges together.

Talent is another key asset. For example, the North West’s 12 main universities supply a steady flow of skilled graduates, while local institutions are embedding AI and digital skills into their courses. Salford integrates AI across subjects, and Manchester is the first university worldwide to give all students and staff Microsoft 365 Copilot access and training.

Regional ecosystems are also reaching beyond the UK. The Great North partnership, a group of Northern Mayors promoting investment, leads international trade missions and hosts the Northern Investment Summit, helping regional startups scale globally.

A strong community of peers and mentors
Many founders face similar challenges. Peer networks, accelerators, and incubators allow them to learn from each other’s experiences and access structured support.
Businesses that have secured funding often become part of a wider portfolio, forming a built-in network of peers who can learn from each other’s successes and setbacks. For those earlier in their journey, regional accelerators and incubators provide structured mentoring and investment readiness programmes, helping founders build confidence and capability as they grow.

There is also a role for national initiatives. The 90% Government-funded Help to Grow: Management Course, for example, supports founders and senior leaders to strengthen strategic decision-making, improve productivity and plan for long-term growth, while encouraging peer learning and access to experienced mentors.

Supportive policy
Regional entrepreneurship thrives where policy aligns with growth objectives. Government strategies, including Opportunity Zones and Capital Gains Tax incentives, aim to drive investment and entrepreneurship in regions outside London and the South East.

We are already seeing progress across the North. In Leeds, a transformative 10-year vision is setting out a path to £20 billion in economic growth and 100,000 new jobs, marking a major step forward for the city’s future. Similarly, Manchester’s Good Growth Fund, a £1 billion initiative to drive regeneration, is set to unlock private investment and transform town centres.

Regional policy support is crucial to helping founders and business leaders thrive across the North. Expanding and sustaining these initiatives will be key to building a balanced, dynamic economy that flourishes beyond the capital.

The rise of the founder
Backed by the conditions for growth, and with a healthy dose of ambition and optimism, Northern founders can succeed - in turn propelling their businesses forward and strengthening the UK economy.

Despite a tough economic backdrop, the northern founders we support are continuing to grow, adapting and finding new routes forward. With the right backing, they can turn current headwinds into momentum for the next stage of growth.

Barry Jackson is a partner at BGF – one of the UK and Ireland's most active growth capital investors