The British Library is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Business & IP Centre (BIPC) with a special event designed to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

On 3 March, the library’s St Pancras headquarters hosted “Start-up, Start Here,” a free, day-long event that featured panel discussions, expert advice sessions, networking opportunities and a pop-up market showcasing products from businesses supported by the BIPC.

Since launching in 2006, the centre has grown from a single London hub into a nationwide network of more than 70 centres in libraries across the UK. During that time, it has supported over 300,000 aspiring entrepreneurs, helped launch 68,800 businesses, and contributed to the creation of 28,300 jobs. According to the library, every £1 of public funding invested generates £6.63 for the UK economy.

The anniversary event will feature insights from business experts including Martha Keith, leadership coach Rasheed Ogunlaru, and fashion industry mentor Alison Lewy. Sessions will cover practical business lessons, start-up advice, and real stories from founders who have used BIPC support.

Visitors will also be able to meet advisers during drop-in consultations and explore a pop-up market featuring brands launched with help from the programme.

Celebrations will extend beyond London throughout March, with local Start-up, Start Here events taking place at BIPC hubs in cities including Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, and Southampton.

Over the past two decades, the Business & IP Centre has focused on making entrepreneurship accessible to everyone. More than 60% of its users are women, nearly 40% come from minority ethnic backgrounds, and 15% have a disability. The programme has also proven effective in helping businesses survive, with 90% of supported companies still operating three years after launch, compared with a national average of around 50%.

The milestone highlights how libraries are increasingly becoming hubs not only for knowledge, but also for innovation, start-ups and economic growth.

Isabel Oswell, BEM, Director of Business Audiences at the British Library, said: ‘For the past 20 years, the British Library’s Business & IP Centre has supported people from all walks of life to set up and run successful businesses. We are proud that over 90% of businesses who start with our support are still trading after three years. As we celebrate this 20th anniversary, our commitment remains the same: to arm everyone with the knowledge, tools and networks they need to turn their idea into a viable venture. We look forward to continuing this work for the next 20 years.’

Tim Campbell MBE, BIPC ambassador, said: ‘For 20 years, the British Library’s Business & IP Centre has helped people turn ambition into action. By giving entrepreneurs free access to business resources, training, mentoring and powerful networks, the BIPC has built confidence where it matters most – right at the start. This milestone recognises the Centre’s impact far beyond individual businesses. It is an essential part of the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem, making business ownership feel achievable, not exclusive, and encouraging people across the UK to take the leap and back themselves.’

Amelia Christie-Miller, Founder and CEO of Bold Bean Co, said: ‘When I first started thinking about Bold Bean Co, I was driven by passion for the cause, but to get investors - not to mention to get up each morning to deliver a business plan against all odds – you need more than this. Visiting the British Library’s Business & IP Centre was game-changing for me, I was able to dig into the data and business cases behind beans that gave me courage and conviction to actually get the business off the ground.’ Photo by fsse8info from UK, Wikimedia commons.