Start-Up Hiring Trends and Skill Demands

The success of a start-up often hinges on its ability to attract and retain the right talent and as businesses scale and evolve, recruitment becomes a crucial element in ensuring sustainable growth and operational efficiency.

Findings from a survey of those founders entering the 2024 UK Startup Awards reveal a strong focus on hiring plans and skill requirements, shedding light on the trends that are shaping the start-up workforce. Whether expanding into new markets, strengthening existing operations, or building scalable structures, the right talent acquisition strategies can determine the future trajectory of a business.

According to the study, 87% of entrepreneurs plan to recruit new staff in the next 12 months, indicating strong growth ambitions and the need for additional human resources to support expansion. The decision to hire is often linked to scaling operations, entering new markets, and strengthening existing capabilities. Recruitment plans are essential for businesses looking to transition beyond the founder-driven phase into a more structured, scalable organisation. However, the small percentage of new firms not planning to recruit may reflect smaller or more niche businesses where additional staff are not immediately required, or early-stage businesses with limited financial resources.

Across demographic groups, 81% of female founders and 91% of male founders expressed hiring intentions. Additionally, recruitment intentions are consistent across age groups, with both younger (16-34) and older (35+) entrepreneurs showing equal intent to grow their workforce. Tech businesses are more likely to recruit, with 94% planning to hire compared to 81% in non-tech sectors. Regionally, recruitment plans are strong across the UK, with 84% of businesses in the rest of the UK and 89% in more prosperous areas looking to expand their teams. These trends reflect the widespread growth mindset among start-ups, regardless of sector, region, or age.