A Northern Irish entrepreneur who went from sleeping rough to selling his London-based tech company is warning that UK policy changes could stifle similar success stories.
Draven McConville, a startup entrepreneur and investor who recently sold his software company Klipboard to industry giant Kerridge Commercial Systems, says the government needs to do more to support entrepreneurship, particularly in the face of rapid technological change.
McConville’s rags-to-riches story reads like a screenplay. At 18, he found himself homeless in Northern Ireland with nothing more than £200 and a bus ticket. By the time he turned 19, he was managing a popular nightclub in Belfast, handling 110 staff and £250,000 in weekly turnover.
“When you’re that young, managing burly doormen, you learn fast that respect comes from actions, not titles,” he recalls.
He went on to start a software development agency specialising in mobile apps, then spotted an opportunity in Britain’s booming tech sector. He founded Klipboard, a software company that helps trade businesses manage their mobile workforce. Unlike many startups that chase rapid growth, his was a more measured approach, focusing on sustainable growth and customer relationships.
Recent changes in the autumn budget could also be problematic, according to the entrepreneur.
“The UK has always been a great place to build a business, but changes to inheritance tax in the autumn budget could make it harder for the next generation of entrepreneurs to build here,” he warns. “When you combine increased tax burdens with rapid technological change, you risk pushing innovative businesses to more competitive markets.”
Now, as artificial intelligence transforms the tech industry, he warns that the UK risks falling behind even further after years of stagnating productivity.
“We’re entering an era where technical barriers are falling rapidly. The government needs to help businesses focus on building strong fundamentals rather than just chasing the latest trends.”
“At Klipboard, we saw firsthand how AI tools like GitHub Copilot dramatically increased our development speed. Tasks that took days were completed in hours,” he explains.
“This technology is going to make it much easier to create software, which means we’ll see increased competition globally. Companies not taking advantage of this productivity boost risk being left behind.”
Despite these challenges, he remains optimistic about Britain’s entrepreneurial future.
“The UK has incredible talent and innovation potential. We just need the right policy environment to nurture it.”
