Second year of research into Guernsey’s entrepreneurial landscape

The Digital Greenhouse Guernsey and Black Vanilla have launched the second edition of their local entrepreneurship survey investigating the support systems, tools and challenges local small businesses face in Guernsey.   

This year, businesses which have started up in the past 3 years will be the focus, giving a new view of starting up post-pandemic. The research, launched ahead of Global Entrepreneurship Week (13 – 17th November 2023), will be the focus of a public panel discussion with local leaders on the 15th November. 

Lucy Kirby, Director at the Digital Greenhouse, said: ‘It was excellent to hear from the local business community last year and gain insights into the current entrepreneurial landscape.’  

The second edition of the survey will include several new topics many businesses in Guernsey are currently facing, including cost of living and impacts of new AI technology as well as growth comparisons to previous years.   

Lucy continued: ‘The survey fed into an engaging panel discussion, where key themes and issues were discussed further by industry leads. This year another group of leaders and experts will come together to explore the findings from this survey and consider how new areas, such as the rise of AI and cost challenges are impacting on business in the island. 

‘Focusing specifically on businesses which have set up since the pandemic is an important part of this survey, as not only does it help identify broader challenges, it also helps to shape and direct future services for Guernsey startups.’ 

The survey results will be released during Global Entrepreneurship Week. The Digital Greenhouse will host several events during the week, including a panel session where local business leaders will discuss the survey results. 

Nichole Culverwell, Agency Director of Black Vanilla, said, ‘Starting and building a small business is exciting but incredibly challenging. There have been considerable changes to the global business landscape this year, with the risk of a recession never far from the headlines and the emergence of AI.   

‘We look forward to seeing how entrepreneurs respond to the survey and how the results compare to last year. It is vital to keep our finger on the pulse of the small business community so that we can understand how we can best support Guernsey’s thriving entrepreneurial community.’  

The survey is now open to those who have started a new business, organisation or third-sector operation set up in Guernsey in the past 3 years. Deadline for responses is Friday 27 October. The survey can be completed here.