AI sparks entrepreneurial boom among UK workers

Our latest research, conducted by Censuswide, shows that AI is fostering a wave of entrepreneurship in the UK – especially amongst younger people – giving them the confidence to set up on their own.

We surveyed over 2,000 adults working in the UK and found that over half (53%) have considered becoming an entrepreneur, rising to 69% of Gen Zs and Millennials. These trends are also reflected in our own data, with enquiries from potential franchisees up 82% year-on-year as of December 2025, highlighting the growing appeal of tech-enabled entrepreneurship.

How AI is driving entrepreneurship

The research suggests AI is fuelling a new generation of entrepreneurs, with more than a third (36%) of 25–34-year-olds and 32% of 16–24-year-olds saying they feel more empowered to start their own business due to AI. With the world of work changing, AI is boosting the confidence of aspiring entrepreneurs and is a catalyst for making the leap to entrepreneurship. Nearly a third (30%) would set up a business that uses AI to deliver products/services.

Positive attitudes towards AI are underlined by the fact that over a third (37%) of UK workers say that the technology enhances their current job role, growing to over half (51%) of 25–34-year-olds. 46% of those surveyed said they were also interested in learning how to use AI, rising to 57% of 25–34-year-olds.

Other motivations for setting up a business

When it comes to job prospects, over a third (36%) of workers feel less optimistic about their current role due to the uncertain economic climate, and more than a quarter (27%) are starting to explore other career options. The strongest pull factors for starting a business included the potential to make more money (34%) and achieve a better work-life balance (28%). Additionally, a quarter (25%) stated flexible hours were the biggest draw, while 24% said the primary reason was that they wanted to be in control.

What’s holding people back?

Despite this, key barriers remain to pursuing entrepreneurship. Lack of finance is a key barrier for nearly half of respondents (46%), followed by fear of failure (30%), highlighting the need for more support and resources to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Matt Harding, our Director of Franchise Sales said: “The findings suggest a fundamental shift in how British workers perceive AI. It’s no longer viewed as just a productivity tool - aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly younger generations, are now using it to help launch and grow their own businesses.

“At Travel Counsellors, our franchise model gives business owners the support and tools they need to succeed in a way that suits them, backed by a global community. As part of this, we’re investing heavily in AI with the recent launch of our AI assistant, TC Co-Pilot, which is now used by around 73% of our Travel Counsellors. We see AI as a way to enhance human expertise, enabling our business owners to work smarter, deliver more meaningful, personalised service, and strengthen the relationships at the heart of every travel experience. It’s this combination of freedom, support, and innovation that makes Travel Counsellors a compelling opportunity for anyone looking to build their own travel business.”

Join a travel franchise where AI can help you thrive

If you are excited by the idea of running your own travel business, but want the security of proven support, cutting-edge technology, and a like-minded community behind you, attending one of our Discovery events is the perfect next step.

You’ll hear how Travel Counsellors blends human expertise with powerful AI tools like TC Co-Pilot, giving you the confidence to:

• Launch a full-time travel business that fits around your life and goals
• Use AI to supercharge your franchise and save you time, so you can focus on building relationships
• Tap into a global community, robust training, and ongoing support from day one

Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea or are ready to make a change, this is your chance to see how our franchise model can help you turn your passion for travel into a thriving business. Reserve your place and take the first step towards building a future-ready travel business with Travel Counsellors.