Features

Hackathons have long been a launchpad for innovation, but what if they could do more than just spark ideas? What if they could become structured, real-time engines for building, learning, and connecting? These are the questions AI Product Engineer Igor Luchenkov set out to explore. 

Despite being built on great ideas, 90% of startups eventually fail. Fernando Amaral, Chief Revenue Officer at expense management solution Rydoo shares his insights on the common pitfalls and best practices for building a successful startup.

The digital identity landscape in the UK has undergone a seismic shift in recent years, driven by government initiatives like the Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework (DIATF).

When you think of the next global digital infrastructure hub, Armenia may not be the first place that comes to mind. But that’s precisely what makes it so compelling.

When you have a brilliant product idea, it’s easy to fall in love with it. So deeply in love that it seems impossible for it to fail. All it needs is hard work and execution; everyone will see how brilliant it is. Right?

Emerging fintechs are speeding ahead with ESG at their core, while many traditional financial institutions are struggling to keep up – slowed by the complexities of legacy systems and rigid internal processes.

Today’s mortgage lenders face significant operational challenges, particularly when relying on third-party processors for outsourcing services. These services, while potentially streamlining certain tasks, often come with high costs and can limit the lender’s control over their operations.

Forbes recently revealed that hackers sell full cyber access to small businesses for as little as $600 on the dark web. The rise of AI-driven scams has made it easier for hackers to access company data, giving business owners an unprecedented concern. Here, Kristian Torode, Director and Co-Founder of Vodafone secure device manager provider Crystaline, provides tips on how small-to-medium businesses (SMEs) can enhance their cyber resilience.

The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is gaining recognition among many businesses serving the EU market as a key driver of circularity and sustainability. 

You have a brilliant idea for a new business, and part of the brilliance is taking advantage of where the world is now. But how long will that world remain the same? Every startup needs to consider how things might change because of curve balls such as pandemics, tariff wars, and new technology.

Risk management has long been the Achilles’ heel of business strategy. Even with sophisticated forecasting models, businesses have often struggled to identify and action potential disruptions before they have impacted performance.

UK SME confidence in growth opportunities is currently riding high. Today, more than three-quarters (87%) of SME decision-makers plan to invest in their businesses in 2025 and two-thirds (66%) expect their sales to rise over the next six months – a notable uptick in sentiment.

When startups think about scaling, their minds often go straight to funding rounds, growth metrics, and major product launches. But while these are all important, they’re not what determines success in new markets.

For just about any business, one of the main goals is to grow. But none are perhaps as focused and dedicated to growth as startups. When startups think about growth, they tend to focus on big-picture goals like funding rounds, new hires and expanding into fresh markets. However, one thing that is usually overlooked is their IT system.

The C-suite is undergoing a seismic transformation. 

It is not news that the wealthier sections of society are more likely to live healthier and longer lives, with a study published in The Journal of Gerontology finding that at age 50, the wealthiest men in England and the US could expect to live approximately 31 additional years free from disability, while those in the poorest groups had about 22 to 23 disability-free years.

Jake Darlington, SME Manager at Sapphire Accounting, discusses the benefits of year-round taxes for small businesses and startups.

Software development is entering a new era. Vibe coding lets anyone create working applications by describing what they want in plain English – no traditional programming needed. But without proper testing, it’s a recipe for chaos.

2025 is shaping up to be a big year for femtech, startups that develop solutions for women’s health from virtual doulas like Soula to period tracking apps like Flo. The number of deals is climbing, and overall funding is on the rise. But beneath the surface, there are still barriers that could slow the industry’s momentum – and often they trace back to men. Good PR might help to overcome them.

Team performance in any workplace isn’t solely about talent or motivation. It’s also deeply rooted in the safety and wellbeing of the employees.