16 NOV 2015

Global Entrepreneurship Week: Celebrating 10,000 Small Businesses UK

To coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week, Goldman Sachs has announced we are extending our commitment to the 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme, releasing a report with the Enterprise Research Centre and the British Business Bank on Unlocking UK Productivity, and are hosting a series of events to celebrate entrepreneurs and highlight our 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme. The events are taking place from 16 to 22 November in London.

NEW REPORT: Unlocking UK Productivity - Internationalisation and Innovation in SMEs

Today, Goldman Sachs, in partnership with the British Business Bank and The Enterprise Research Centre with Support from the Scale-Up Institute and Saïd Business School, Oxford University released a new report highlighting the critical role small businesses play in closing the UK's 'productivity gap,' a deficit in the UK government's productivity plan (July 2015).

The report, Unlocking UK Productivity – Internationalisation and Innovation in SMEs, finds that if entrepreneurs can increasingly turn their focus to two key drivers for growth – exporting and innovating – then small businesses can have an even more significant impact on UK productivity growth at large. It also calls upon the public and private sectors to encourage this growth by building and supporting a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, scaling educational opportunities, and increasing access to growth capital.

The potential for UK SMEs to contribute to closing the productivity gap presents a strong opportunity, one which government and the private sector should continue to focus on and we look forward to working with businesses around the UK to create the most innovative and relevant learning opportunities.

Extending Our Commitment to 10,000 Small Businesses UK

Goldman Sachs is committed to building and enhancing the UK’s entrepreneurial eco-system to help drive and sustain economic growth and we believe the education of high-growth small businesses has a vital role to play in enhancing this enterprising economy.

Over the past five years, we have reached almost 1,000 businesses through our 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme and during Global Entrepreneurship Week we are proud to be extending and expanding our commitment to help small businesses grow, create jobs and increase productivity by providing them with applied business education, leadership and support services. We are opening the programme to businesses throughout the UK and scaling educational and leadership opportunities to help these entrepreneurs realize greater growth. By expanding the programme’s reach, developing new partnerships and leveraging technology to deliver a new blended learning model, we will support the entrepreneurial community and the UK’s overall growth agenda.

Celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week: 16 – 22 November

  • 10,000 Small Businesses UK Market
    During Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Goldman Sachs London office will host the second annual 10,000 Small Businesses UK Market. Our employees will have the opportunity to meet graduates of the 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme to learn more about their businesses, and to sample and buy their products, including food, beverages and clothing.
     
  • 10,000 Small Businesses UK Coaching Session
    As part of our commitment to support the entrepreneurial community, Goldman Sachs, in partnership with Bloomberg LP, will host the inaugural 10,000 Small Businesses UK Coaching Session. The session will connect 10,000 Small Businesses UK graduates with Goldman Sachs and Bloomberg professionals for training designed to give these entrepreneurs the confidence and skills to overcome challenges and accelerate growth.
     
  • Leading for Growth, a discussion between Richard J. Gnodde and Michael R. Bloomberg moderated by Francine Lacqua
    On Thursday 19 November, Francine Lacqua, Anchor and Editor-at-Large at Bloomberg Television, will moderate a panel with Michael Bloomberg, the Founder of Bloomberg L.P., and Richard Gnodde, the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs International. The discussion will cover their personal leadership experiences, entrepreneurship in the UK, and the growth of the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.  

Press Release

Learn more about Global Entrepreneurship Week
 

Media Coverage:

Goldman Sachs to expand support scheme for UK entrepreneurs (Yorkshire Post)

Goldman Sachs Expands U.K. Small Business Plan to Boost Economy (Bloomberg)

No matter where you sit in UK industry, SMEs are relevant, vital and deserve support (Business Reporter [Telegraph Supplement])

Small businesses key to solving UK’s productivity gap, claims Goldman Sachs (Daily Mail)

Goldman's Gnodde: Underlying Drivers in Economy Better (Bloomberg)