This week, London-based grocery delivery startup Oja entered administration after staff and suppliers were left unpaid despite attracting seven-figure investment and high-profile backers, including footballer Raheem Sterling.

Nana Agyapong was just 17 years old, studying for her A Levels, when she self-funded an idea that would later become Investate.

Today, that idea has grown into a youth-led community supporting over 10,000 young people nationwide, from all walks of life.

Her journey began with a £530 loan from her Nana, a makeup kit, and a determination shaped by personal struggle, resilience, and an instinct to build something of her own.

Britain’s growth forecast has been nudged up from 1% to 1.5%, but for many founders already navigating tight cashflow, rising costs, and slowing demand, the real question is: Does this budget help or hinder?

Meet Christelle Nganhou, co-founder of Grass-Fields a global African-inspired fashion brand that went from £50 and a sewing machine to international acclaim… and then faced a fall no founder sees coming. This is the story of how she lost everything and fought to reclaim it all.

What started as a personal mission evolved into an international movement celebrating Black culture, African fashion, and the power of representation. But behind the viral success came a season no founder ever imagines facing.

She sketched out her concept everywhere pink interiors, floral walls, picture-perfect lattes before they ever trended online. Investors weren’t convinced.