Features

For most people, the idea of starting their own business is a daunting enough challenge to overcome. It’s only once it’s up and running that it becomes clear the greater challenge will be growing the business and, even more specifically, taking it from the startup to the scaleup stage.

Compliance with regulations or standards should not be seen as merely a tick-box exercise. It’s a crucial route to increasing trust among your customers, especially for startups.

During his ‘Liberation Day’ announcement, Donald Trump revealed aggressive measures that will have consequences for trade on an international scale. Any country charging tariffs on US exports will see tariffs rise for products they send in the opposite direction, while Canada and Mexico will be hit with sweeping duties.

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business world, it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle of chasing profits, expanding networks, or challenging competitors. But during this whirlwind, many entrepreneurs lose sight of what truly drives them.

Startups have a unique advantage when it comes to building a sustainable future. Unlike large enterprises that must modernise or upgrade operations to align with circular economy principles, startups can integrate these models from the beginning, creating a sustainable foundation for future growth while contributing to global decarbonisation efforts.

In this day and age, every business must have a digital presence to survive. Do you need a cleaner? A dog walker? A plumber? A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of thousands of options. However, search algorithms are unforgiving, and to get to the top of the page can be a feat. Couple this with short attention spans and picky users, crafting the perfect digital presence becomes a hefty task.

As global trade regulations continue to shift constantly, the UK retail sector faces a new wave of challenges, particularly with the evolving impact of tariffs on cross-border commerce. These changes are not just increasing the cost of goods sold but also complicating the way returns are managed. For UK retailers, the evolving tariff landscape presents both new obstacles and opportunities to reassess business practices, particularly when it comes to returns management.

Nico Rosberg is a Formula 1 World Champion turned entrepreneur and venture capitalist. After achieving his lifelong dream of winning the F1 World Championship in 2016, he retired from the sport to explore new challenges.

Obsolescence is inevitable. Time marches on, technology grows older. Startups often face unique challenges when managing component obsolescence, given their limited resources and need to focus on innovation and rapid market entry. Effective obsolescence management ensures these businesses avoid the financial and operational setbacks caused by unexpected part unavailability, which could jeopardise product delivery or require costly redesigns.

The digital age has brought about unprecedented opportunities and challenges. As businesses and consumers become more interconnected, ensuring cybersecurity has become paramount.

Growth Studio is on a mission to find ambitious startups tackling the triple planetary crisis and to give them the foundations they need to change the world.

Before we look at how to get flexible working at work, let’s be clear about what flexible working is and how it can work for you.

Due diligence and compliance have long been slow, paper-heavy, and reactive, surfacing risks only after key business decisions. That paradigm is shifting. As well as automating tasks, AI is transforming how risk is assessed, decisions are made, and compliance teams operate.

Research from the British Chamber of Commerce reveals that 43% of small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) have no plans to use Artificial Intelligence (AI), despite a growing acceptance by businesses that it will help boost productivity. Only a quarter (25%) say they are using a specific AI technology, with 24% planning to in the future.

The gender gap in technology is as depressing as it is common knowledge. For every four men that join the sector, only one woman makes the move – and half of those women will leave the sector by the mid-point of their career.   

The user experience (UX) can make or break how people feel about your startup’s offerings. However, UX consulting professionals can reduce the chances of costly missteps and show that the startup has accurately anticipated the target audience’s expectations and catered to them.

Scaling a startup and building out an executive team can be a daunting process. As a business grows, so does the complexity and pressure, and this is where a Chief of Staff can make a significant impact. So, what is a Chief of Staff? What do they do? And how do you know if your startup needs one?

In a market increasingly defined by a “rush to quality,” venture capital firms are finding it harder than ever to win the most competitive deals. With fewer standout startups raising money and those that do often commanding sky-high valuations, VCs are under pressure to evolve.

Fiberdom, a pioneer in wood fibre material innovation, has secured €3.5 million in funding to accelerate the development and scaling of its patented technology and its high-performance, 100% plastic-free material. Fiberdom’s mission is to replace non-essential plastics with scalable, circular solutions.

How often have you said yes to something that didn’t feel right just to avoid discomfort? And what has that cost you? Your wellbeing, your work, or the impact you set out to create?