Black British Entrepreneur Report 2026: Regional Entrepreneurs Invited to Participate

The Black British Entrepreneur Report, led by Dr Carlton Brown, is now open for participation as it prepares its 2026 update.

First published in 2021, the report delivered one of the most detailed examinations of the lived experiences of Black African and Caribbean diaspora entrepreneurs in the UK. It highlighted systemic barriers in areas including access to finance, procurement, social capital, institutional trust and perceptions of competence. Since then, its findings have been cited in policy discussions, business support initiatives and wider debates around structural inequality.

The 2026 update aims to build a current, evidence-based picture of Black entrepreneurship across the UK — with a strong emphasis on regional representation.

Who Can Take Part?

The survey is open to:

• Black African and Caribbean diaspora founders
• Co-founders and majority business owners
• Sole traders, SMEs, scale-ups and established businesses
• Entrepreneurs operating anywhere in the UK

Participants must be actively running a business in the UK.

Why Regional Participation Matters

A key priority for this update is ensuring the data reflects the full geography of UK entrepreneurship — not just London.

Black founders are building and scaling businesses across Greater Manchester, the Midlands, Yorkshire, the South West, Scotland and Wales. Without strong regional participation, the national picture risks becoming incomplete.

For entrepreneurs based outside London, contributing to the survey is particularly important. Strong regional data strengthens the credibility of the report and ensures future policy and institutional reform reflects diverse local business ecosystems.

What the Survey Covers

The survey explores:

• Access to finance and banking
• Experiences of bias or discrimination
• Trust in business support organisations
• Procurement and supply chain access
• Professional networks and social capital
• Business performance and growth ambitions

It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential and analysed in aggregate.

Take Part

The survey closes at the end of February.

Eligible entrepreneurs can complete the survey here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7_Lh7mNLS0Zit78e_AEDHPNBnr1Med7qmvBQnxOGKhNw8Mg/viewform

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