Dobbie co-founder Daniel Rees slams ‘bad for business’ UK and heads Stateside to pursue American dream

Daniel Rees, co-founder of Dobbie, a startup pitched as an AI control centre for e-commerce businesses, has taken to social media to hit out at a ‘bad for business’ UK and praise the US which, he argues, leads in innovation and entrepreneurship with more startup accelerators and venture investment firms than anywhere else in the world.

In a LinkedIn post, dated 14th October, Rees said: “I am leaving the UK for good, and I think other entrepreneurs should too. I'm heading to the US embassy right now to get my O1 Visa stamped.”

In the UK, 39% capital gains tax is on the cards, he added (NB: this has yet to be confirmed by the recently elected Labour government).

“The 60% tax trap still hasn't been closed. The healthcare system sucks. Public transport is extortionate. The population actually chose to leave the EU...and in my experience it has the most anti-entrepreneur public attitude in the world,” Rees stated.

By contrast, the "American dream" is actually real.

“Tell someone in the US that you're starting a business and they'll cheer you on, help out, make introductions. Better yet, failure is viewed as a badge of honour! Nothing but lessons to take to the next venture. Florida and Texas have no state income tax and no capital gains tax. Health insurance is really affordable. The weather is better, and the people are just more ambitious.”

Rees continued: “The US leads in innovation and entrepreneurship with more startup accelerators and venture investment firms than anywhere else in the world. Early employees from recently IPO'd companies in the USA fuel the angel investment market as they give back to people forging their own path.”

“The US has had Waymo self-driving cars for years, they're catching rockets, innovating with stem cell therapies and announcing robots. What are the two most impressive and innovative things to come out of the UK in recent years? A porn site and an AI that was so incredible an American company purchased it in a heartbeat.”

He concluded: “Companies that choose to stay and list on LSE like Deliveroo and THG regret it as their share price tanks while the underlying business remains sound. Put simply the UK is bad for business. I appreciate this might be niche advice, but I highly recommend leaving the UK before you launch your startup. Get out while you can!”

What do you think, dear readers? When it comes to business and innovation are you team UK or USA? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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