Media stories don’t just report on entrepreneurship — they influence how society understands it. Out of Focus, a new survey by The Entrepreneurs Network, supported by Pathos Communications, shows that founders in the UK are looking for press coverage that feels more real, more useful, and more inclusive.

Although public interest in startups is growing rapidly, many founders feel the current media lens is too narrow. Consequently, the survey highlights a gap that affects both entrepreneurs and the public conversation around innovation, jobs, and growth.

1. Founders Feel Entrepreneurship Deserves Better Coverage

The numbers reveal a clear confidence issue:

• Nearly 60% of founders disagree that journalists cover entrepreneurship well
• Only 12% agree, leaving a majority feeling unheard

However, this isn’t frustration alone. In fact, many founders see it as a chance to build a better conversation, rather than scrap the old one.

While founders recognize the limits journalists face, they still want more depth. Additionally, they believe stories should explain how businesses are built — not just who grew the fastest or raised the most funding.

2. Founders Aren’t Asking for a Media Makeover — Just More Variety

Most founders know that journalists work under pressure. Still, they don’t want sweeping media changes. What they want, on the other hand, is broader storytelling that includes:

• Bootstrapped businesses
• Immigrant founders
• Small and mid-sized companies (SMEs)
• Entrepreneurs working outside major cities
• Founders building without massive VC funding

Rather than focusing on a few famous names, many founders want the press to notice the quiet builders powering the UK economy. For example, one survey response pointed out that media highlights “who is loud or famous, instead of who is actually growing businesses.”

Moreover, founders stressed that tech unicorn success stories are inspiring but too rare to show the full picture. Therefore, showing a mix of outcomes and struggles would help more people relate to entrepreneurship.

3. Founders Want More Stories on the Journey, Not Just the Spotlight Moments

Survey feedback repeatedly mentioned that media leans heavily toward:

• Unicorn startups
• Celebrity business leaders
• Big funding rounds
• Consumer apps and fintech

However, founders didn’t just ask for balance. They also asked for honesty — stories that talk clearly about everyday hurdles like:

• Handling paperwork
• Making first hires
• Fixing operational problems
• Managing budgets
• Working through slow processes
• Solving real customer issues

Additionally, many founders highlighted that sectors such as climate tech, healthcare innovation, and advanced manufacturing deserve more attention. These industries, after all, may not always make flashy headlines, but they build long-term value.

4. Founders Also Admit: Entrepreneurs Need to Raise Their Media Game

Interestingly, the survey shows founders see a communication gap on their side too. Many said entrepreneurs must learn:

• How to explain their ideas clearly
• How to talk about challenges without sounding unsure
• How to tell stories that fit real media needs
• How to speak simply and openly

In fact, more founders said entrepreneurs don’t represent themselves well than those who said they do. Consequently, many want training or support to improve how they speak to the press.

5. Matchmaking Is Key — Founders Want More Access to Journalists

At the center of this conversation is Omar Hamdi, who works directly with both founders and editorial teams. He noted that thousands of entrepreneur stories never reach news desks without structured introductions.

“These groups would rarely cross paths without support. So, understanding how both sides can work better together felt important,” he said.

His view highlights opportunity, not failure. Additionally, his firm believes that better connections can naturally create better stories, more voices, and smarter conversations.

6. A Better Media Lens Helps More Than Just Founders

Better entrepreneurship coverage can help the public too. For example, it can:

• Create realistic role models
• Spark curiosity across industries
• Inspire new founders
• Help people understand business risks as part of growth
• Show that innovation isn’t only for the most funded

Therefore, founders want stories that make entrepreneurship feel achievable — not accidental or celebrity-driven.

In Summary: Founders Want Real Stories, Clear Voices & Better Connections

The key message from Out of Focus is simple:

Be accurate, not sensational
Be curious, not predictable
Tell many kinds of stories, not only a few big ones

Founders don’t want fewer questions or easy praise. Instead, they want smarter questions, more voices, and more honesty. Because entrepreneurship is shaping Britain’s future, the stories told should reflect the people building it — from small towns to big industries, from bootstrapped ideas to funded scale-ups.