South: Brits dream up best business ideas in bed, finds Barclays

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TBM Team

Barclays Business reports that Brits are most likely to be struck by their best 'lightbulb-moment' idea when in bed. A third of the nation’s budding entrepreneurs named bed as the most inspiring place to dream up a new business concept.Bed was followed by the great outdoors, travelling and having a cup of tea of coffee. These shared the second-place spot with 19% each, while the shower or bath was next in line (14%).

A whopping 10.9 million Brits claim that they have had an idea to start the “next big thing” but didn’t pursue it. What’s more, over half say they saw someone else launch the same idea at a later stage.

Funding was named by half of those polled as the top reason why business ideas are not pursued. Not knowing where to start was the second biggest factor, followed by lack of confidence and not having the right kind of knowledge. Other reasons given were not having access to the right tools and equipment, and lack of space.

The need for more mentoring also emerged as an important factor. The UK’s business dreamers say they would need four hours a week on average with a mentor to help them turn their ideas into reality.

Richard Heggie, head of high growth and entrepreneurs at Barcays, said: “Every great entrepreneur starts with a ‘Eureka moment’ and our poll suggests that the UK is a nation of inspired thinkers. It’s essential that the industry does all it can to harness and encourage this creativity. Not having access to lending, or to the right tools, advice and guidance simply shouldn’t be a barrier holding back the UK’s future disrupters and pioneers.”

Barclays has launched Eagle Lab Incubator Spaces to help develop ideas, build confidence and networks. One such site is in Bournemouth.