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December has a funny way of reminding us that speed doesn’t always equal progress. As founders, we often sprint toward the end of the year, trying to squeeze in every unfinished task, every last-minute goal, every ‘quick’ job that we meant to do months ago. But rather than hurtling toward the end of December at full speed, sometimes the most powerful, productive move you can make is to pause, plan, and realign before stepping into the new year. And for many startups, that moment of realignment starts with one pivotal decision – learning to delegate and onboarding the right support.
Imagine trying to crack a complex code – but you’ve got no map, no hint, and no idea whether you’re even working on the right puzzle. That’s how many people feel at work today.
Imposter Syndrome is rife, and startups can feel the impact more than most.
Markets are breaking down, technology is shapeshifting beyond recognition, and ‘business as usual’ is becoming an increasingly unviable path. The fuels that once propelled businesses to success, scale above all else, mechanical efficiency, and unconditional growth, are now liabilities disguised as virtues. The next five years will demonstrate that the biggest threat to a healthy, functioning business isn’t competition, but irrelevance.
When people hear I went from founding Whisk.com (a recipe-tech startup that I sold to Samsung) to GitLaw (an AI legal startup founded recently with $3 million funding), they usually ask how those two things are related.
2025 is coming to a close, and what a year it has been! The end of year brings with it reflections on the year just passed, and what better way to wrap up the year than with a list of our top podcast episodes this year.
2026 is set to be a busy year for UK SMEs, bringing some of the most significant legal and regulatory shifts in recent times – including tighter payment rules, new transparency standards, and digital-first tax and reporting reforms.
I can’t remember a Budget with as much doom-mongering and speculation in the build-up as the one Rachel Reeves delivered two weeks ago.
Half-time at Old Trafford is always loud, but inside our dressing room it felt strangely focused. We were catching our breath, a few of the lads grabbing jelly babies and Jaffa Cakes, when one of the coaches slipped in and whispered something to Steve Coppell. Coppell called the room to attention and delivered the news straight: Rooney had gone off injured.
International expansion is the ultimate growth lever but also one of the fastest routes to failure if mishandled. I’ve seen ambitious startups spend millions on new markets only to retreat within a year, and I’ve also watched careful, measured plays turn into rocket fuel for growth. The difference comes down to timing, planning, and leadership.
Jason Bennett is the Global VP of Startups and Venture Capital at AWS. He has been at AWS for 15 years, he has previously served as VP, US Enterprise and private equity, and GM, US-Enterprise Leader. At AWS re:Invent in Vegas, Bennett discussed all things AI, startup trends, and AWS’s commitment to supporting startups.
Most founders will tell you they are bringing AI into their business. Some talk about it with genuine excitement, others with a quiet sense of panic, and a few with the hope that automation might finally fix the chaos they’ve been ignoring for years. The truth is far less glossy. AI rarely fails because the tools are weak. It fails because the organisation behind them isn’t prepared for what the shift actually involves.
Small businesses have always been quick to adapt, and in 2025, that adaptability has been tested more than ever. Between rising costs, staffing shortages and customers who expect instant replies and 24-hour availability, many owners are stretched thin.
It’s Saturday afternoon and you suddenly get a headache. Nothing dramatic, just enough to derail your plans. You rummage through the medicine cabinet, find expired paracetamol and realise the GP is closed. So, you do what most people do: you reach for your phone for a solution.
Swimming has always been a huge part of my life. As a teenager, I competed in butterfly at a high level, representing the British youth squad and the South African national team. Butterfly is not just physically tough; it is also one of the most mentally demanding strokes.
Before you say ‘we’re not ready for PR’ – read this!
Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, once said: “If I were down to my last two dollars, I’d spend one on PR.” That sentence reveals a truth many early-stage entrepreneurs need to realise. Communication doesn’t start when you become successful. It is a strategic instrument that helps you reach the pathway forward – not a reward for later.
Why am I invisible?
Most startups are convinced their product is unique. And we don’t doubt they are. They also believe everyone must know about it. So, they pitch them to top-tier journalists. And … nothing happens. Often a radio silence. Crickets. Many ask me, why?
Contributing $ 5 billion from stock-option withholding for the top four companies alone, and employing circa 1.7 million people, the Silicon Valley represents 13.1% of California’s overall GDP. It’s hardly surprising then that so many government and policy makers are wrecking their brains on trying to emulate its success back home, in the UK, in Europe and anywhere else in the world.
It’s a common workplace story: December hits, and suddenly the office turns into a ghost town of checked-out employees chasing holiday cheer over deadlines. But let’s challenge that myth head-on.
For all the talk about the golden opportunity presented by AI, the government has just published a report that confirms what many of us have known for years. The country’s biggest obstacle to unlocking AI’s potential isn’t innovation or, dare I say it, ‘investment’, but a lack of talent.
