Regardless of how good a business idea might be, starting a new business is always a challenge. Of all the different factors that contribute to the success of a new venture, choosing the right location can make all the difference, so it pays off to research what each place offers. Let’s do that by taking a look at the UK’s top ten cities for business start-ups.

1. London

There are many good reasons to start a business in the UK’s capital city, such as access to a large and diverse talent pool and a catchment population of more than 9 million people.

The city’s highly entrepreneurial spirit and resilient economy are reflected in the fact that London is home to more than 1 million private businesses, the highest number of startups founded in all UK regions. Moreover, 75% of London residents say they would like to start their own business.

Access to capital and potential investors is a key reason why London is considered a global startup hub. The city gets more than 70% of all the country’s VC investment, and there are many incubators and accelerators that suit the needs of a growth-oriented startup community. As a result, in a 2024 report, London ranked 5th in the year’s ranking of the best cities for startups.