More start-ups branching out to customers overseas

In 2023, 4,000 individuals used Digital Greenhouse's start-up resources

More Guernsey-based start-up companies are looking to reach a worldwide market, new research shows.

Figures from Digital Greenhouse, which offers support to new businesses, show it worked with more than 300 entrepreneurs in 2023.

Director Lucy Kirby said while the numbers were similar to 2022, the interesting growth area was "the number of new ventures focusing on off-island markets”.

Ms Kirby said technology was a big factor in small, local businesses reaching customers on a global scale.

Adrian Norman, is the CEO and co-founder of UniteVerse, an app that will help match people to their ideal nights out or experiences when it launches in March

She said: "When you can reach your customers very easily through technology, you don't need to just be limited by what's available on the island."

Adrian Norman, is the CEO and co-founder of UniteVerse, an app that will help match people to their ideal nights out or experiences when it launches in March.

He said he believed Guernsey was a great launchpad.

"The infrastructure is all here, you can see everyone on the same day, be it a lawyer, a marketing person or developer," he said.

Mr Norman said he hoped for a future where the island was put "on the radar" through local start-ups going global.

'Lifeblood of a strong economy'

Guernsey's Chamber of Commerce is also offering support to small businesses looking to grow.

This month the Chamber is hosting the first of a new series of events to enhance the knowledge and skills of the local business community.

Engagement and communications manager Rachael Cumberland-Dodd, said: “The lifeblood of a strong economy is its small businesses

“It’s a great measure of the health of the economy, it’s also attractive to investment coming into the island."