News

Federation of Small Businesses publishes annual report

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has published its annual report and financial statements for the financial year 2023 to 2024 following its annual general meeting.

Planning for a CEO departure is a core priority in 2025

What Directors Think 2025 – an annual survey conducted in partnership with Diligent, Corporate Board Member, and FTI Consulting – has found that succession planning is rapidly rising up the board agenda, but directors don’t feel prepared.

Upstream Festival 2025: everything startups and scaleups need to grow

On 21 and 22 May 2025, Upstream Festival returns for the sixth edition, bringing together everything a startup needs for growth. More than 45 partners and a highly curated group of founders of startups and scaleups, investors, corporates and policy makers from all over Europe will gather for this one common goal. The main location for this year’s event is Rotterdam’s inspiring pop music venue Annabel.

UK startups rethink software investment

A new survey of over 2,000 professionals reveals UK businesses are ditching cost-cutting in favour of smart decision-making, security, and long-term resilience.

Deel unveils seven products to streamline global workforce management

Deel has introduced a suite of AI-driven products designed to transform how companies hire, manage, and pay international teams. Deel’s latest innovations address inefficiencies caused by fragmented payroll, HR, and IT systems, integrating these functions into Deel’s all-in-one platform to help businesses operate seamlessly and compliantly across borders.https://startupsmagazine.co.uk/article-tips-help-employees-struggling-financial-stress

New research reveals greatest numbers of high-growth businesses outside of London

New research from Barclays Eagle Labs shows Edinburgh, Manchester, and Bristol contain the strongest clusters of high-growth companies outside London, demonstrating how local entrepreneurial and tech incubator networks are showing up for growth.

What it really takes to be a tech founder

Tech founders in the UK are routinely working 60 hour weeks and they sacrifice salary and work-life balance to have a chance of success, according to a new study conducted by Antler, the most active early-stage VC firm in the world.

NatWest invests in Yonder

NatWest has announced a minority investment in Yonder, a fast-growing credit card platform that provides quality customer experiences through lifestyle-led rewards.

UK’S standout small business finalists announced

The UK’s most inspirational small businesses have been announced as Small Business Britain reveals its 2025 Small Awards shortlist.

Digitalisation, sustainability, and social transformation set the agenda for South Summit Brazil in its most global edition

South Summit Brazil 2025, the leading event for the entrepreneurial ecosystem co-organized by IE University and the Government of Rio Grande do Sul, will celebrate its fourth edition from April 9 to 11 in the city of Porto Alegre. The event will feature five major thematic areas of content that will set the pace of the conversations and presentations: Sustainability, Digitalisation, Ecosystem, Social Transformation and the Edge.

Lemon Partners with Siemens to bring 0% SaaS financing to the UK market

In a first for the SaaS industry, fintech Lemon is unveiling its 0% financing product, allowing businesses to finance their software subscriptions without any additional interest.

Capital D invests in fast expanding AdTech platform, Refinery89

Capital D announces that it has acquired a minority stake in Refinery89, the AdTech platform dedicated to supporting regional European and LATAM digital publishers.

cocreatd and Perspectiv reimagine web design for early stage businesses

Perspectiv is a new web design partner co-founded by Dan Cordwell and launched from cocreatd, the venture studio led by Oliver Yonchev.

Bridging the AI skills gap: driving employee adoption

Despite billions invested in AI solutions worldwide, a major roadblock remains: employees don’t understand how to use these tools effectively. Without proper guidance, businesses risk stalled adoption, wasted investment, and an inability to realise AI’s full potential. This hesitation is hindering AI adoption and limiting its benefits within organisations.

UK small businesses get rare opportunity to secure TV advertising with Channel 4

A new competition from Constant Contact and Enterprise Nation in collaboration with Channel 4 is set to offer UK small business brands an opportunity to win a professionally produced broadcast TV advert on Channel 4 and expert marketing support – a package worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

International Kickstart Innovation Program 2025 launches

The Kickstart Innovation Program is opening its application phase for the tenth time. Last year, AI applications were the main focus in 95% of cases, and 60% of the solutions also integrated sustainability and the circular economy as central elements.

BioMed X launches XBridge to aid researchers hit by NIH funding gaps

BioMed X, an independent biomedical research institute based in Heidelberg, Germany, has announced the launch of its XBridge Program, a fast-track initiative designed to support US-based biomedical researchers impacted by the current NIH funding gaps, hiring freezes, and grant terminations.

Passenger experience prioritised in competition driving rail innovation

Delivering on its promise to put passengers first, the Department for Transport has made £5 million funding available to winning projects as part of the First of a Kind (FOAK) competition.

Diraq leading Australian-UK-US consortium for DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative

Diraq has announced that it was awarded a Stage A contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to work on its recently announced Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI).

PocDoc becomes largest provider of QRISK3 scores outside GP surgeries

PocDoc has become the leading provider of QRISK3 scores in communities, workplaces and homes in the country, highlighting its growing role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) testing.