News

New report demonstrates sustainability as a growth engine for small businesses

Sustainability is no longer a distant ideal for businesses – it’s a pressing priority and a transformative opportunity. In the face of environmental and economic challenges, a new report reveals how small businesses across the UK are embedding green practices into their operations. These businesses demonstrate how sustainability can drive innovation, strengthen communities, and ensure long-term success.

Startups win big at TechWorks Annual Awards ceremony

The TechWorks Annual Awards ceremony served as a platform to celebrate excellence in the dynamic technology sector, highlighting innovation and individual achievements across this globally significant industry.

Holiday hustle: Over half of UK workers report a boost in productivity this festive season

As the festive season unwraps, new research from monday.com, the multi-product platform that runs all core aspects of work, reveals that UK employees are challenging the traditional year-end slowdown. A survey of 1,343 UK workers reveals that the majority (89%) remain productive during the holiday period, with over one in two (55%) reporting a surge in output driven by approaching year-end deadlines (25%) and a motivation to finish the year strong (30%).

From self-discovery to real connections: Raily’s new tech redefines relationships

Imagine finishing university, unsure if your degree aligns with your passions, struggling to navigate the job market, or simply wondering what you truly like or dislike. On top of that, making new friends or meaningful connections feels more daunting than ever.

68% of SMEs struggle to source skilled staff

A new poll has found that almost seven in 10 small and medium-sized businesses struggle to find new recruits with adequate skills. The Attitudes to Work study, conducted by an independent research firm, surveyed 525 business professionals at SME companies across various industries. It was commissioned by coworking company, The Brew.

£61,000 a year: the cost of small business owners ‘doing it all’

New research from Xero, the global small business platform, has found leaders of the UK’s smallest businesses (1-9 employees) and sole traders spend less than half (46%) of the working week on their core jobs. These businesses effectively aren’t starting work on primary responsibilities until 2:36pm on Wednesday, because they’re juggling non-core roles like IT, legal, admin, finance and cleaning.

Mambu acquires payment technology provider Numeral

Mambu, a cloud banking platform, has announced the acquisition of Numeral, a French payment technology provider for banks and fintechs.

All I want for Christmas is not to be out-of-pocket

Christmas may be the season of giving, but new research from Pleo, surveying 1,000 UK working adults who incur expenses, reveals employees are unintentionally footing the bill for their bosses.

Oxford Ionics, Quanscient, and Airbus collaborate on quantum fluid dynamics

Oxford Ionics, a startup in trapped-ion quantum computing, has announced it is working together with Quanscient, a provider of multiphysics simulation software, and aerospace manufacturer Airbus to develop quantum simulations for computational fluid dynamics.

UK firms back employee rights agenda despite cost concerns

UK firms broadly support the Government’s employee rights agenda but accept that it will lead to increased people management cost and complexity.

Small businesses risk losing £2.7bn in festive sales due to technical issues

New research from Cloudways, a managed hosting platform provider, has revealed that UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) could lose up to £2.7 billion in festive sales due to website errors and slow loading times.

The everywoman Entrepreneur Award winners of 2024

The 4th December saw some of the most inspirational female founders come together at the everywoman Entrepreneur Awards for an afternoon of celebration. Over 300 business leaders, founders, and supporters of female entrepreneurs came together to celebrate the achievements of these extraordinary women and their businesses.

Abu Dhabi’s TII launches challenge to advance space innovation

The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), part of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has partnered with global innovation scaleup Wazoku to launch a crowdsourcing challenge that seeks a comprehensive telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) data link solution between a suborbital sounding rocket and a ground station.

OX Delivers secures $163M contract to meet demand in Rwanda and expand into new markets

OX Delivers, the UK e-mobility startup, has secured a $163 million contract to create its first franchise partner in East Africa, as part of its strategic vision to supercharge trade across the Global South.

Public urged to back vital small businesses this weekend

The public is being urged to show support for small businesses this weekend as Small Business Saturday returns with a mission to deliver a vital boost for firms heading into another challenging winter. 

Ryp Labs Lineage’s 2024 Global Food Chain Innovation Challenge winners

Lineage, the largest global temperature-controlled warehouse REIT, has announced the winner of its Food Chain Innovation Challenge. Ryp Labs, the winner of the San Francisco regional event, was selected for its innovative solution for tackling postharvest food waste, securing the global grand prize of $50,000 and an invitation into a six-month, Lineage executive-led incubator programme.

Employers face AI confidence crisis as workers feel left behind

Newly released research* reveals a troubling reality: UK employees are struggling with confidence in using AI at work, feeling under-trained yet eager to learn. 

Survey finds 85% of CFOs need a six-day work week

The majority (85%) of finance leaders need a six-day work week to complete their tasks, causing stress and a general feeling of loss of control. That’s according to a survey by AccountsIQ, a provider of fully cloud-based accounting software, which surveyed 260 CFOs and finance leaders across the UK and Ireland.

Industry-wide action needed to close AI security gaps

The rapid adoption of AI is unlocking significant opportunities for organisations across the UK, enabling them to innovate, streamline operations, and compete on a larger scale. Yet, as businesses integrate AI into their operations, many face serious security risks for which they are often unprepared.

What sets Europe’s best-funded founders apart

NGP Capital, the global venture capital firm, has unveiled the results of its latest comprehensive data report, “A Decade of European Startup Founders.” The new research offers an unparalleled examination of the European startup ecosystem and the visionary founders who have driven its growth over the past ten years.