News

The top countries embracing the new norm as working from home

With businesses across the world seeing the tangible benefits of a mobile workforce over the last few months, returning to the office may become temporary as working from home potentially becomes a new way of working, according to research collated by Instant Offices. 

Moneybox secures £30 million in Series C funding

Moneybox, the award-winning saving and investing app, today announces it has secured £30m in Series C funding earlier this year from existing investors including Eight Roads, and new investors Breega and CNP. Moneybox also reveals it now has £1bn in assets under administration, and announces plans to bring customers closer to its growth journey through an upcoming crowdfund.

Digital donations app helps charities fundraise in a crisis

Roundups is a new donation app that helps charities with their fundraising whilst the economy continues to battle through challenging times. The app links with users’ payment cards in order to round up their payments and donate pennies to their chosen charity as they spend.

Entering a new era of Artificial Intelligence in the fast food industry

White Castle has announced a planned pilot with Miso Robotics – creators of the autonomous grilling and frying kitchen assistant, Flippy – to accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence and robotics in the restaurant industry.

AI-driven family travel website already making waves

tripAbrood, the travel business set to reinvent the online family travel experience, has become part of the UK’s startup elite by being named a TechRound 100 Finalist alongside a host of innovative brands including Too Good To Go, Pip & Nut and lockdown favourite Zoom.

Startup Summit returns some big confirmed speakers

Startup Summit, an international festival of entrepreneurship, has announced dates for its 2020 edition and first headline speakers from globally-recognised brands including David Wilding, Director of Planning at Twitter, Irana Wasti, Regional President for GoDaddy EMEA, and Matt Davey, Chief Operation Optimist at 1Password

Bringing advanced robotics to UK fast-food and commercial kitchens

The startup driving intelligent automation for commercial kitchens, Miso Robotics has announced its first funding round in the UK. The services sector is seeing a new impetus for automation as it builds back better post pandemic, ensuring more resilient businesses, safer working environments and food production for staff and customers.

HERMES Startup AWARD 2020 goes to Indonesian startup

Deutsche Messe premiered a startup category for the HERMES AWARD, presenting Mitra Sejahtera Membangun Bangsa, a young company from HANNOVER MESSE partner country Indonesia, with the new award. The jury, chaired by Prof. Dr. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, selected the winner for its Smart Farming 4.0 project.

Resurgence of entrepreneurship expected following the pandemic

The home kitchen and dining area have become the most lucrative money making locations in Britain, that combined are generating £37.4bn to the British economy during lockdown – that’s being coined as ‘Kitchen Table Talent’. The research commissioned by Attic Self Storage, revealed that although restrictions are being lifted, 41% of office workers are expected to continue their jobs from home, with 44% saying it’s the most productive place they have ever worked.

Latest data available on Close Brothers Asset Finance’s SME Data Hub

The data from Close Brothers Asset Finance’s latest research is now available on its free-to-use SME Data Hub. Conducted in late June and early July in partnership with Kantar, the research focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

LIQID opens the door to Silicon Valley

European digital asset manager focused on the affluent market, LIQID has added venture capital to its growing alternative asset offer, which already includes private equity and private equity real estate.

New fund for companies delivering sustainability through innovation

London-based ETF Partners has closed its third Environmental Technologies Fund (ETF3) at £167m, to grow the most innovative companies in the UK and Europe that help deliver long-term and sustainable economic prosperity.

Official launch of new Plus X innovation hub in Brighton

Plus X innovation hubs transform areas, adding vibrancy and productivity, helping businesses scale with innovation support and unlocking partnership potential with global corporations, education partners and local communities. Plus X innovation hubs are designed to create impact at both a global business and local economic level.  

The future is BRITE for Sussex

An exciting new business growth and innovation programme called BRITE launches today to support ambitious businesses located in the Coast to Capital region. The programme is led by a dedicated team from Plus X Brighton, in partnership with the University of Brighton. BRITE will be located at the brand new Plus X Brighton innovation hub, designed to help business and communities collaborate, innovate and grow.

Mobile mesh tech aids social distancing for manufacturing

Wyld Networks has launched a new mobile mesh technology to help get the manufacturing industry back to work safely, improve operational efficiencies and re-boot the economy. The innovative mesh technology can be built into mobile apps and IoT devices and uses virtual geozones to manage access, collect data, deliver location-aware content or safety information, and monitor social distancing.   

Elswood appointed non-executive director at tech startup Wizme

Former Capita Travel and Events CCO, Trevor Elswood has joined meetings management platform, Wizme as non-executive director.

Frontline communications platform closes $10m Series B extension

Beekeeper, the first communication and operations platform designed specifically for frontline workers – announced a $10m extension on their series B round today. The extension brings the round’s total to $60m.

Online training platform launches with £2000 finance training prize

To celebrate the launch of its new financial training platform, Yorkshire-based finance management specialist Mellor Financial Training is offering businesses the chance to win free access to the site worth almost £2000.

Businesses call for tech investment as report reveals 1.4m SME jobs at risk

Sage has launched new research revealing 62% of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) have made or are planning to make redundancies following the COVID-19 pandemic. This equates to 1.4m jobs at risk if the Government fails to take decisive action now.

Britain’s 18-24 year old’s are the most entrepreneurial creatives post-lockdown

As Sunak prepares to announce £2bn support package to combat youth unemployment, new research has unveiled the extent to which young professionals can contribute to the economy.