2026 Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Survey
A new survey is aiming to capture the views of small businesses and entrepreneurs across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire (D2N2) to inform how enterprise support is delivered in the region.
The 2026 Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Survey, run by Nottingham Trent University, hopes to capture the lived experiences, needs, and perspectives of small business owners and entrepreneurs.
The survey explores how small businesses and entrepreneurs engage with enterprise and entrepreneurship provision through teaching, learning activities, and events. It also seeks to identify barriers that may prevent engagement.
It aims to inform how NTU and its partner organisations develop more inclusive, relevant, and effective enterprise and entrepreneurship support.
The survey is open to small businesses with up to 49 employees and entrepreneurs operating anywhere within D2N2. Participation is welcomed from businesses whether or not they have previously engaged with NTU.
Researchers are particularly keen to hear from women, minority ethnic groups, younger and older entrepreneurs, migrants, and individuals with disabilities, who may face structural, social, or economic disadvantage.
Participants will also have the opportunity to volunteer for a follow-up focus group, allowing for deeper discussion of emerging themes.
The study is being led by Errol Hemans, senior lecturer in Management and Entrepreneurship and Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) researcher at Nottingham Business School, part of NTU.
He said: “Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of the regional economy; our research is about listening carefully to their voices and ensuring that enterprise support reflects the real challenges and ambitions of the communities it serves.
“We’re collecting insights directly from across the region to support the design of more inclusive and accessible enterprise provision. Both positive experiences and critical perspectives are essential, and responses will directly contribute to strengthening enterprise and entrepreneurship support, ensuring it remains relevant, impactful, and responsive to regional needs.”
Business owners and entrepreneurs are also encouraged to share the survey within their professional networks, to ensure a broad and representative range of voices.
