The Rise of Solopreneurship: AI, Work and the Future of Self-Employment

Since 2022, opportunities for young people to enter payrolled employment have narrowed. Our new research, commissioned with Sage, explores this shift and examines whether a growing number of 16-24-year-olds are turning to self-employment and entrepreneurship, at a time when generative AI is making it easier and more affordable to start a business. The Entrepreneurs Network is launching this report in the House of Lords, bringing together founders, policymakers and business leaders to discuss what the findings mean for government policy and how AI can help more young people become successful entrepreneurs. The launch will open with remarks from the Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Kanishka Narayan MP, followed by contributions from Polly Mackenzie, Co-founder and CEO of Zinc Innovation Partners, and Steve Hare, CEO of Sage. Please note: All of our events are free to attend. Patrons, Advisers and Supporters will be given priority, although we aim to always ensure the most relevant people are in the room. If you want to be invited to future events, tell us more about what you’re interested in here. Please get in touch if you have any questions regarding accessibility.Immigration policy has a profound impact on our entrepreneurial landscape. Whether it's foreign-born founders coming to the UK to start a business or British startups hiring scarce talent from abroad, ensuring that the immigration system is fit for purpose is essential if we are to fulfil our economic and innovative potential. Our Partner As the UKs largest listed FTSE tech company supporting millions of small and medium-sized businesses around the world, Sage is committed to understanding how AI and digital tools can help people start, run and grow businesses. This report explores whether generative AI is reducing barriers to entrepreneurship at a time when traditional routes into employment are becoming more challenging for many young people.