📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Most U.K. Health and Tech Startups Are Aiming for Acquisition Around 59 percent of business startups in the country share the goal, according to a new report

By Lindsay Friedman

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Depositphotos.com

U.K. health and tech startups are looking for suitors.

Fifty-nine percent of U.K. startups say their long-term goal is to be acquired, while 17 percent aim to complete an IPO, according to Silicon Valley Bank's Outlook report that included tech and health businesses.

Still, lasting long enough to achieve this goal may prove challenge for many companies, considering 80 percent of respondents characterize the fundraising environment as somewhat or extremely challenging.

Related: Taking the Startup Plunge? Be Prepared for These 5 Realities.

Phil Cox, the president of Silicon Valley Bank's U.K. branch, said in the article that even though the markets have slowed in the past year, the bank remain "cautiously optimistic."

"We're expecting a healthy recalibration in terms of tech valuations, but funding will always be available for startups solving real problems," he said. "This year, businesses will be focusing on profitability over growth at all costs – which will ensure that the U.K. innovation economy continues to thrive and maintain its position on the global stage."

Related: 6 Lean Startup Lessons From the Co-Founder of the Lean Startup Company

This is the fourth year Silicon Valley Bank has released this report. This year's edition features other start-up and business related concerns including access to high-quality talent, diversity in the workplace and skill sets.

This study was previously covered by Tech City News.

Lindsay Friedman

Staff writer. Frequently covers franchise news and food trends.

Lindsay Friedman is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Employee Experience & Recruiting

Feed Your Company Spirit with This $200 Restaurant.com eGift Card That's Only $35

Use it at thousands of restaurants around the U.S.

Living

Show Mom You Love Her with Two Dozen Roses for $25

Rose Farmers is offering a limited-time deal on delivered roses for Mother's Day.

Money & Finance

12 Books That Self-Made Millionaires Swear By

The bookshelves of millionaires can inspire you to build your wealth. Here are 12 must-reads they recommend.

Data & Recovery

Get 500GB of Lifetime Cloud Storage for a One-Time $120 Payment

Boost your bottom line by getting an enormous amount of cloud storage for life without recurring fees.

Green Entrepreneur®

A Deer Invasion in Hawaii Has Turned Into an Environmental Crisis—And a Sustainable Business Opportunity

How Maui Nui Venison built a for-profit harvesting business that protects the land and helps the local community.