[retree]

It's definitely true that the UK has lots of startups. But I think the problem is that people at universities, or university staff don't even consider it. Looking at the two best known (to your average consumer) startups in the UK - Betfair and Ocado, both were started by people in their mid 30s. I can't think of many started by people in their early 20s, which I think is a huge oppurtunity being missed.

There is definitely a stigma of failing. It feels like if your startup fails in the USA it isn't too big a problem, you just pick yourself up and start again. In Europe I get the impression that a failed start up reflects poorly on you - leading to a risk averse culture.

[pmjordan]

But I think the problem is that people at universities, or university staff don't even consider it.

Universities have historically not been the place for training up professionals or business people, but pure scholars. The vast majority of staff at universities are in the latter category to this day, probably less so in engineering disciplines or medicine. Expecting them to prepare students for the real world in a job, let alone running a business, is unrealistic. (nobody even teaches you how to do basic things like salary negotiations, forget about raising capital)

I'm not sure what the solution is, but making professors run awkward "soft skills" courses is definitely not it.