A Channel 4 and Clear Channel study has revealed that Black entrepreneurs face more obstacles setting up and running their businesses than their white counterparts.
The study showed that Black business owners face more challenges generating funding and more feel they have to fight hard to convince investors to believe in their businesses when compared to white business owners.
The findings, which featured responses from more than 500 entrepreneurs, revealed that 56% of Black owned businesses only receive funding once they had already grown a successful business, compared to just 35% of white business owners who were given the same requirement. In addition, 53% of Black owned businesses agreed they had to fight hard to get others to believe in their business compared to only 40% of white owners.
The research also showed a huge gulf between how much funding people believe Black businesses receive compared to how much investment actually goes into Black owned companies. White respondents guessed that 21% of total funding goes towards Black led businesses while Black participants estimated 15%. But the reality is that Black businesses attract just 0.24% of total venture capital investment*.
For the study, Channel 4 teamed up with out of home media company Clear Channel UK and the creator of the Black Pound Report, BACKLIGHT, to better understand and mitigate issues faced by Black business owners.
Independent research company, The Good Side, was commissioned to undertake the study by Clear Channel and Channel 4’s commercial arm, 4Sales, as diversity and inclusion in the media – and the UK as a whole – is a top priority for both media owners.
In terms of a robust entrepreneurial spirit among Black and Multi-ethnic entrepreneurs, the study found that:
- 46% felt they could always run a successful business vs. 29% of white entrepreneurs.
- 71% expressed they always wanted to be their own boss vs. only 54% of white respondents.
- 62% of Black and Multi-Ethnic entrepreneurs started their businesses under 30.
- 1 in 8 Black and Multi-Ethnic entrepreneurs started their business as teenagers, twice the level of white owners.
The results also revealed that more Black business owners (64%) cite advertising as being very important to grow their companies compared to white owners (40%). Consequently, 47% of Black and Multi-ethnic entrepreneurs said they would find an initiative that helps with advertising appealing vs. 29% of white entrepreneurs.
Amy Jenkins, Customer & Commercial leader at Channel 4 said: “Inspired by continuing the legacy of Channel 4’s award-winning Black To Front Project which commits us to improving Black representation on and off screen and the findings from BACKLIGHT’s Black Pound Report, we wanted to commission a study to identify how Channel 4 can help create real, tangible change for Black Owned Businesses across the UK. And the research has been enlightening having identified a clear gap not only in opportunity but also perception. We hope these findings inspire business owners and empowers UK industry to offer better, more targeted support to help Black and Multi-ethnic entrepreneurs, and in turn, help grow the British economy.
“Off the back of this research we will shortly launch our own initiative to help nurture and support Black Owned businesses and entrepreneurs – so watch this space for more details.”
Black To Front was a ground-breaking day which saw Channel 4’s entire programming schedule fronted by Black talent and contributors across all genres and advertisements, with the aim of amplifying Black voices in TV to reflect the diverse and vibrant culture of the UK. This groundbreaking day of content is part of Channel 4’s ongoing commitment to improve Black representation both on and off screen, with its legacy inspiring this research.
Maria St Louis, Channel 4’s Equity & Inclusion Lead, helped spearhead the research with 4Sales.
Maria St Louis, Equity & Inclusion Lead at Channel 4, said: “Since 2015 my personal mission has been to remove the barriers to entry for Black Owned Business, by unlocking access to mainstream advertising platforms, with mainstream publishers like Channel 4. The vision is to level the playing field, achieve Economic Inclusion for Black Owned Businesses and to prove that with the right levels of support they can successfully and sustainably contribute to the growth of the UK’s economy. Having worked at Channel 4 for nearly 20 years, I’m proud that this research is fully backed by the business.”
Caroline Forbes, Head of Sales – Out of Home Agencies at Clear Channel UK, said: “This comprehensive research study has been invaluable in helping us to better understand the challenges that Black entrepreneurs face and how we can further support them as a media owner. With advertising being identified as one of the vital parts to business success, we will continue to create more visibility for Black owned businesses on UK’s high streets through our Clear Channel Compass initiative in line with our on-going commitment to be both a Platform for Brands and a Platform for Good.”
Liz Cheesbrough, Business Director at The Good Side said: “The Good Side was established to help organisations show up and respond to changes in culture, and this important project exemplifies the change we want to help bring to the world. By championing often overlooked audiences and bringing visionary insights to the fore, we can deliver meaningful impact not only for Black and Multi-Ethnic businesses and consumers, but across society as a whole. We’re proud to be part of this passionate collaboration between some of the biggest players in our industry, and are excited for what the future holds.”
Lydia Amoah at BACKLIGHT said: As a Black CEO of a cultural change agency BACKLIGHT and Founder of The Black Pound Report, it’s an honour to partner with Channel 4 and Clear Channel to explore the journey of Black Owned Businesses. As in all businesses, challenges are there. However, the journey of Black entrepreneurs is unique to our White counterparts; our issues are more enduring, and access to business opportunities can be difficult. Yet we are immensely ambitious, resourceful, resilient, innovative, and creative, already helping our economy thrive. Our research demonstrates that we can contribute billions to the UK economy and beyond when given equal opportunities and openings.
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