Features

Here is the truth that most founders will not say out loud. You did not start your business to stay stuck in survival mode. You started it because you saw a better way. Because you had a vision. Because you wanted more on your terms.

Laura Kankaala, Head of Threat Intelligence at F-Secure, explains why everyone from government to service providers, schools to consumers has a role to play in online safety.

Gen Z, the digital natives driving a surge in startups, often prioritise innovation and marketing. However, financial literacy is a crucial, often overlooked element for sustainable success.

Across global innovation hubs – from the UK and US to key markets in APAC – university spinouts are capturing investor attention like never before. These research-rooted ventures are now seen as high-potential engines of scalable growth, sparking an emerging hiring boom focused on transformative leadership.

As we begin the second quarter of 2025, the first companies with 12-month accounting periods are preparing their latest research and development (R&D) tax relief claims under the new merged R&D Expenditure Credit (RDEC) – and the Enhanced R&D Intensive Support (ERIS) scheme. But what are the key considerations early claimants need to be aware of?

The sales game has changed, and if you’re still relying on outdated methods, you’re already falling behind. Conversational AI isn’t just another buzzword – it’s a powerhouse for sales teams looking to scale their outreach, close deals faster, and operate with efficiency.

Rob O’Connor, EMEA CISO at Insight explores why businesses must overcome the fear of adopting new technologies to truly protect themselves from evolving cyber threats.

I spent years as a physio on the pitch at Birmingham FC, juggling sports injuries and million-pound hamstrings. The workflows were slick: an ache reported in the morning was scanned, triaged, and rehab could be planned by lunch. It struck me that the lower back pain that benched a striker for two weeks was akin to the pain keeping a warehouse worker off the job for months – yet outside elite sport, the pathway was anything but slick.

A growing number of PE firms are using advanced data analytics techniques to assess their potential investments. As a result, they require more complex data from their prospects to build a much more holistic picture of how a company is performing now, and, with predictive analytics, will potentially fare in the future.

Many startups assume securing a domain and launching a website are enough to establish a digital presence. This is a perilous misconception. A single negative online experience can have severe consequences; in fact 88% of visitors are less likely to return after just one bad interaction.

As digital customer experiences become central to everyday life, marketers need to remove barriers and create inclusive content. That’s where the European Accessibility Act (EAA) comes in. Taking effect on June 28 2025, the directive will shift how businesses approach digital communications.

When misinformation about a new innovation begins to circulate on social media – as happened to the dairy co-operative, Arla at the end of last year – it’s easy to pick campaigns apart and highlight communications missteps – but there’s a bigger issue at play.

In today’s technology landscape, the dominant narrative is one of relentless growth – an arms race of downloads, funding rounds, and user acquisition. Yet, as the world’s fastest-growing AI applications emerge from unexpected corners, a different story is unfolding: purpose-driven technology, shaped by spiritual and ethical wisdom, is proving more resilient and impactful than conventional, metrics-obsessed approaches.

AI coding tools like GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer, and Hostinger Horizons have transformed software development. They can handle routine code tasks, offer instant suggestions, and even provide ready-to-use software. However, they are not magic oracles of error-free code.

Growing up on a small Caribbean island, I developed a great appreciation for the ocean and our marine environment. In island and coastal communities, our history, cultures, and livelihoods are intrinsically linked with the great blue.

ESG reporting is no longer just about ticking boxes. As reporting expectations evolve, businesses that treat ESG as a core priority will be better positioned to attract capital, manage regulatory risks and drive sustainable value. And CFOs, perhaps unexpectedly, are now at the centre of this shift.

In today’s digital-first world, platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube can push a product into the public eye within hours. We’ve all seen it: a quirky gadget, an innovative beauty tool, or a clever design catches on, and suddenly it’s everywhere. Sales spike, followers grow, and demand explodes.

Gen Z are now the largest generation group globally, and as the youngest cohort in today’s workplace, they are already stepping into leadership roles that will drive the future of business for many years to come. With nearly a quarter of a million directors of UK companies already being Gen Z in 2024, their growing influence is clear.

Early-stage startups face hundreds of decisions in a short time. Most are focused on product development, market fit, and funding. But as the digital infrastructure of a business takes shape, hosting becomes a factor that can influence speed, security, and long-term scalability.