Octopus Group Co-Founder, Chris Hulatt, delivered the keynote speech at the launch of a new initiative aimed at fostering Britain’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
Speaking to an audience of the country’s foremost young founders at the first meet-up event of the Young Entrepreneurs Forum, Chris reflected on his own journey as an entrepreneur and emphasised the importance of backing the next generation.
“Lots of people who would like to start a company just can’t because they haven’t got the savings or resources to fall back on,” he said.
He also called for a more structured approach to supporting young talent, saying: “What I would like to see is the UK figure out how to properly support young entrepreneurs with all of the ingredients that we know are needed to help turn ideas into reality.”
The Young Entrepreneurs Forum is a new initiative from The Entrepreneurs Network, Britain’s leading think tank for championing ambitious entrepreneurs and breaking down the barriers to successful start-ups. It will undertake a year-long programme designed to gather insights on entrepreneurship in the UK, which will feed into a policy report to be launched later this year in the Houses of Parliament.
Sean Kohli, Chair of the Young Entrepreneurs Forum and a venture capitalist active in both Silicon Valley and Europe, also addressed the audience. Based on his experience studying and working in the UK and the US, Kohli highlighted stark contrasts in how each country nurtures promising entrepreneurial talent.
While praising the UK as a nation rich in ingenuity, he warned that this potential is too often stifled by outdated education systems, fragmented financial support, and policy decisions out of step with the realities of modern venture-building.
“Policy caters to incumbents” he said, “young founders are boxed out by cost, complexity, or by a lack of access”.
While praising the UK as a nation rich in ingenuity, he warned that this potential is too often stifled by outdated education systems, fragmented financial support, and policy decisions out of step with the realities of modern venture-building.
Having built his career investing in hyper-growth and late-stage start-ups, including through a fund spun out of a top Silicon Valley accelerator, Kohli emphasised the urgency of creating an ecosystem that genuinely supports risk-taking and innovation.
Kohli spoke about the importance of enabling young founders to not just adapt to the environment, but to help shape it. A culture of innovation, he argued, can only flourish when access to international talent and markets is straightforward, and when government policy is designed with ambitious, high-growth businesses in mind.
“To stay on par with the world during this time of dynamism, we must compete, we must build and we must act,” he said.
During the meet-up, attendees were offered the opportunity to experience Drive Lounge’s immersive sim racing rigs, competing with one another around the track. This hands-on experience highlighted the potential of high-tech, immersive e-sports as part of the fast-growing creative and digital industries, sectors in which Britain can lead globally with the proper support and investment.
The Young Entrepreneurs Forum is aimed at connecting emerging founders, amplifying their voices, and ensuring that policymakers hear directly from those on the frontlines of inno-vation. This London meet-up, hosted at the Sky Guild Gaming Centre, in partnership with Guild Esports, was the first in a series that will take place across the UK throughout 2025.
Among the attendees were some of the UK’s most inspiring young entrepreneurs, including Lili Eva Bartha, founder of GENERA LABS, an innovative and award-winning software start-up; Lauren Smithie, founder of Young Entrepreneurs Academy, a social enterprise encouraging and inspiring entrepreneurialism; and Kai-Tse Lin, founder of Bellwether Industries, a start-up developing urban air mobility technology.
Together, these founders have raised millions in funding and are building businesses that exemplify the promise and potential of the next generation. Their voices, and those of many others, will help shape the forum’s upcoming policy report, which will be launched in Parliament later this year.
Commenting on the launch of the Young Entrepreneurs Forum, Sean Kohli, said: “It was a privilege to speak at the Young Entrepreneurs Forum and be surrounded by young founders who aren’t just thinking about the future, they’re actively building it.
The UK has world-class entrepreneurial talent, but the reality is that too many of these innovators are hindered by systems that are not designed for the pace of modern start-ups. As a consequence, Britain is trailing behind other industrialised nations.
“Outdated education models, fragmented funding routes, and government policies that favour established players, are making Britain a difficult place to build right now. Ambition is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t evenly distributed.
“If we’re serious about becoming a leading start-up nation, we need a fundamental shift. That means smarter access to capital, easier routes to international talent, and a regulatory environment that reflects the realities of building from scratch. Young founders are ready to lead; now we need the infrastructure and support to match their ambition. The Young Entrepreneurs Forum is the platform to champion the change that needs to happen.”
For more information, visit the Young Entrepreneurs Forum.
