News

Government WFH plans could be very damaging for businesses

Government plans to give millions of staff a default right to work from home are ‘not feasible’ and will be ‘very damaging’ to businesses, an expert in employment law has warned. 

The entrepreneurial capitals that have thrived over the past year

The UK has seen a huge rise in the number of independent businesses being set up over the past year. New analysis from The University of Law Business school shows 854,948 independent businesses have been established since 23rd March 2020, representing a 43% increase compared to the same period a year before (594,957).

Tractable becomes UK’s first computer vision unicorn

Tractable, the AI company helping insurers with accident and disaster recovery, has announced a $60m Series D investment led by Insight Partners and Georgian. The round doubles the total raised by Tractable from $55m to $115m and values the company at $1bn – making it the UK’s first computer vision unicorn.

Looking on the bright side: SMEs optimistic about post-lockdown growth

New data reveals that almost one in five (17%) of small business owners expect their revenues to grow by 10% in the first six months after lockdown guidelines are completely relaxed.

Working from home has increased UK working hours by 22%, but at what expense?

Research from Ezra, provider of digital coaching, has found that UK employees are working longer hours than ever thanks to remote working. However, the lack of structured office hours is having a detrimental effect on employee work-life balance and wellbeing and, therefore, the quality of their work.

Event Tech Live wows US and Canada

The first Event Tech Live (ETL) US and Canada wrapped on Thursday 10th June, content keeping to the high mark set on days one and two, Top Tech to Embrace to Achieve Effective Gamification and Back to the Future, Perhaps among the sessions and Canapii winning gold in the coveted StartUp Competition.

UK EdTech start up Perlego expands to Europe

Perlego, the world’s largest online subscription service for educational books, has announced its launch in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France, further cementing its position as one of the UK’s fastest growing EdTech startups.

Want to pitch online at Oslo Innovation Week 100 Pitches?

Oslo Innovation Week welcomes you to the core of Nordic innovation – a platform for facilitating actions and thought-provoking concepts for bold and new innovation.

‘Speed dating for business’ app launches

New app matches pitchers with retail buyers and investors using 30 second video pitches. Serial retail technology entrepreneur, Chris Brown, has launched the world’s first ‘speed-dating for business’ mobile app, Pitchsocial.

Newton Venture Program unveils its first cohort of investor trainees looking to make VC more diverse

The Newton Venture Program is unveiling its first diverse cohort of investment trainees set to make the worlds of tech and venture capital more representative and is opening applications for its next program.

Tech startup uses innovative 5G technology to transform Welsh tourism

London-based tech startup, UtterBerry has recently developed innovative 5G technology, which will transform Welsh farming and tourism thanks to funding and support from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the Welsh Government. Now the technology is ready, UtterBerry will begin revolutionising farming and tourism through the DCMS 5G Testbed Project.

A call for changemakers…

National enterprise charity Hatch Enterprise has launched three new impact programmes, with support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, NatWest and Adobe, which aims to help hundreds of UK entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses that have a social or environmental impact.

New programme launched to support female founders securing investment

Beyond HERizons, a new initiative from London & Partners’ Silicon Valley comes to the UK (SVC2UK) programme designed to specifically tackle the funding gap that exists in the investment landscape, launches its inaugural cohort of female founders today.

Tech Nation launches new Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit to create equal opportunities in UK tech

Tech Nation launches the Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit; a comprehensive guide to address diversity challenges in tech companies and the UK tech sector, in order to help build a strong, diverse and inclusive tech sector.

Sunbit secures unicorn status with a $130m Series D round

Sunbit, the preferred buy now, pay later (BNPL) technology for everyday needs and services, today announced a $130 million series D round of funding. The round was led by returning investor Group 11, a leading venture capital firm known for backing some of the most disruptive fintech companies.

European initiative started an unprecedented accelerator for startup ecosystems

The DEEP Startup Ecosystem Accelerator is up and running. They selected the first generation of ecosystem projects coming from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Hello Tomorrow: The Global Challenge

We’re on the cusp of a new wave of innovation, with deep tech leading the way to a better future for our society and its home planet.

Startups and scaleups urged to enter Tech for Good competition

Hays Technology, the recruiting experts and global super connectors, Empact Ventures, have launched ’Super Connect for Good’ for the second year running, a European ‘Tech for Good’ competition in a bid to uncover the best emerging tech startups and scaleups creating a positive impact on people’s lives through technology.

Smart sportswear startup puts Manchester’s pioneering textile scene back on the map

A northern startup powering up an advanced generation of data-driven luxe sportswear has secured £7.5M to take wearable health technology to new heights.

Proposal for new honours system to better recognise invention/innovation

The UK needs a new order of chivalry specifically to recognise invention and innovation and elevate the status of entrepreneurship, science, and technology in the eyes of the public, according to think tank, The Entrepreneurs Network. The proposal – outlined in a new report, Honours for Innovators, and supported by MPs and leading figures from the UK entrepreneurship and technology community – would see the ‘Elizabethan Order’ honour up to 273 individuals each year for their achievements and contribution to innovation.