Updated

Updated · Inc. · Jul 4

33% of U.S. Adults Plan Business Launches in 2026 as Startup Competition Intensifies

Updated

Updated · Inc. · Jul 4

33% of U.S. Adults Plan Business Launches in 2026 as Startup Competition Intensifies

1 articles · Updated · Inc. · Jul 4

A QuickBooks 2026 survey found 33% of U.S. adults plan to start a business or side hustle within 12 months, a 94% jump from last year.
That surge is pushing business formations to record or near-record levels even as 57% of would-be founders say they will launch despite less-than-ideal economic conditions.
More startups also mean a noisier market, with founders facing crowded inboxes, heavier competition and consumers who are more selective about spending than they have been in a decade.
The report argues that in this environment, marketing—not just product or price—will determine which new businesses survive their first 12 to 18 months.

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As millions launch new businesses, how can founders build crucial customer trust faster and more cheaply than their competitors?

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