The Autumn Budget 2025, presented recently by UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, brought a mix of reactions. The overarching message, "If you build here, Britain will back you," resonates with many but leaves some startup founders and industry leaders wishing for more specificity. As a founder who bootstraps my startups and navigates the ebbs of entrepreneurship, I see this budget as both a promise and a challenge. Let’s dive into what it offers and how entrepreneurs, particularly women across Europe, can position themselves to leverage these changes effectively.
What’s in Store for Startups?
The UK government acknowledged the foundational role startups play in economic growth. Unsurprisingly, there’s plenty packed within this budget aimed at empowering entrepreneurs to build and scale in Britain.
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Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) Expansion: The budget widens access to tax-efficient investment opportunities, making it easier for founders to attract private capital without taking on debt. This is especially useful for early-stage companies.
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IPO Stamp Duty Exemption: Companies choosing to go public in Britain will benefit from three years of stamp duty relief. It’s a clear nudge to keep homegrown innovations within the UK’s financial ecosystem.
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Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) Updates: Employee ownership in growing startups receives a boost with higher EMI caps. For founders like me, this is an elegant way to retain top-performing team members while keeping cash burn in check.
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Call for Evidence on Founders’ Tax Incentives: The government issued a fresh invitation to explore how it can design better tax breaks for those taking the entrepreneurial leap. While heartening, it’s clearly in nascent stages, and concerted action is needed to make this a reality.
The Opportunity and the Gaps
Startups will appreciate the government’s recognition of entrepreneurial efforts, but the budget isn’t without its critiques. Several founders and investors have voiced concerns about missing focus areas.
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Lack of Critical Support for Specific Industries: While deeptech and general tech sectors received positive nods with investments in infrastructure, like the AI for Science Strategy and Sovereign AI Unit, sectors like fintech feel underserved. Without direct action to address these gaps, the UK's dominance as a fintech hub might be challenged. My advice to founders? Diversify your customer base internationally, even as you aim to anchor your business locally.
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The Public as Customers: Startups, especially those in AI and deep tech, need a market as much as they need funding. One of the recurring appeals from tech leaders in this budget was for the government and large corporations to emphasize purchasing homegrown innovation. This could accelerate technology adoption and provide an early-stage runway for small but fast-growing companies.
These concerns illustrate where entrepreneurs should focus their advocacy and engagement: aligning government incentives with real market needs. Don’t wait for the government to get it all spot on, prepare to pivot if your industry isn’t yet prioritized.
How Founders Can Capitalize
For European female entrepreneurs, the budget offers a road of opportunity, though not without hurdles. Here’s how I believe entrepreneurs can take advantage of the provisions:
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Reassess Funding Routes
While the expanded EIS and VCTs improve access to investment, founder visibility remains key. Platforms like Crowdcube can serve not just as funding vehicles but also as marketing assets. -
Plan for IPOs Strategically
The three-year IPO stamp duty exemption is great on paper. This presents a chance to explore listing as a strategy for growth, but it should never be the ultimate goal. Focus on sustainable growth before considering a public offering. -
Participate in Consultations
Chancellor Reeves invited feedback to refine tax policies tailored for founder growth. If you’re a female founder, voice your perspectives to ensure inclusivity. Platforms like Tech Nation and associations for women in tech can amplify your ideas to decision-makers. -
Strengthen Your Network
A motivated team can make or break startups. Programs like the updated EMI encourage talent retention, but you can also ensure engagement by being a genuinely inspiring leader. I’ve built my teams by fostering genuine networks across incubators like YES!Delft, find your tribe. -
Think Beyond UK Borders
While Britain presents itself as a favorable base, founders should always work toward a global audience. Build exportable products and actively seek grants and collaborations across Europe through programs like Horizon Europe.
Common Mistakes Entrepreneurs Should Avoid
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Overconfidence in Government Promises
This budget is just words unless execution follows. Early-stage startups often skip engaging in public consultations or lobbying for industry needs. Speak up for better policies and act swiftly when opportunities like tax advantages arise. -
Neglecting Diversity in Hiring
Yes, EMI expansions make equity more attractive to employees, but if your hiring overlooks diversity, you miss out on fresh perspectives, a vital ingredient for innovation. -
Not Planning for Growth Beyond Fundraising
Investors are crucial, but they aren’t the endgame. A sound revenue strategy should always take precedence over merely doubling down on dilution-resistant capital sources.
Lessons for Female Entrepreneurs in Europe
As a Dutch entrepreneur in deeptech and gaming, I know how critical it is to seize cross-border opportunities. From this budget, I’ve teased out useful lessons for women founders:
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Your Voice Matters: Speak up in public forums, consultations, and industry lobbies. Women in Europe are increasingly shaping business landscapes; this budget’s call for input gives us an opening to influence the policies that affect us. Don’t sit this one out.
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Cash Flow Is Always King: Bootstrapping may seem challenging now, but it can be your ally when industry-specific grants or incentives dry up. Prepare for multiple income streams, and assess your financial health regularly.
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Build Resilient Networks: Tapping into women-focused networks like The Next Women or pan-European programs that focus on women in STEM can help you amplify your influence, attract funding, and recruit talent.
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Adaptability Is Power: Budgets and policies shift, but your inner agility should stay strong. Learn to pivot, navigate competition, and find new value propositions.
Practical Takeaways
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Educate Yourself on Policy Changes
Master the details of government incentives like EIS and EMI updates. Resources like gov.uk are a good starting point to deepen your understanding. -
Leverage Tech-Specific Opportunities
Deeptech and AI spaces are getting attention. If you’re innovating in these industries, align with universities or institutions conducting leading research. The UK’s new initiatives in these realms could offer long-term collaboration growth. -
Don’t Rely Just on Public Support
Diversify your funding and growth strategies. Build your business to compete internationally even if policies promise a foothold locally.
Final Word
As a female serial entrepreneur, I see budgets not as answers but as doorways. This one signals recognition for startups like ours but falls short in concrete delivery for critical industries. Take this as your prompt to get informed, get vocal, and adapt. The message is clear: Britain says it will back us. Let’s hold them to that while making sure it’s not just the UK that benefits but also your wider entrepreneurial ambitions across Europe.
For more insights, check out resources like Innovate Finance or join female-focused accelerators to stay ahead. Your voice and resilience are the ultimate tools for matching promises with progress.
FAQ
1. What was the central message of the UK Autumn Budget 2025?
The UK government emphasized, “If you build here, Britain will back you,” showcasing its support for startups and innovation in the country. Explore the Autumn Budget highlights
2. What changes were made to the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)?
EIS eligibility was expanded, aiming to improve access to capital for scaleups and early-stage startups. Learn more about EIS changes
3. How does the IPO stamp duty exemption benefit startups?
Companies going public in Britain are exempt from stamp duty for three years, encouraging local IPOs and reducing costs. Read about IPO incentives
4. What industries received direct support in the budget?
AI and deeptech were prioritized, with investments in AI infrastructure, the Sovereign AI Unit, and other initiatives. Learn more about AI investments
5. Was there support for fintech in the budget?
While general startup policies benefitted fintech, specific sector support like National Payments Vision was lacking. Discover what fintech leaders said
6. What is the purpose of the government’s call for tax reform evidence?
Entrepreneurs and industry leaders are invited to provide input on optimizing tax policies for startups and founders. Find out about the call for evidence
7. How were employee incentives improved for startups?
The Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) scheme’s limits were increased, helping startups retain talented employees through better share options. Learn about EMI updates
8. What concerns were raised by startup founders regarding the budget?
Some founders felt critical sectors like fintech were underserved and called for government action to adopt homegrown innovations as customers, not just funders. Explore founder concerns
9. How can women entrepreneurs leverage the budget changes?
Female entrepreneurs were encouraged to voice their perspectives in consultations, tap into European funding initiatives, and build resilient networks.
10. How does the Autumn Budget impact deeptech startups?
Investments in AI and tech infrastructure aim to foster growth, but founders urged public sector adoption of innovations to fully unlock industry potential. Learn more about deeptech opportunities
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
