News

Despite the widespread availability of gigabit connectivity across London, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the capital continue to struggle with slow and unreliable broadband. High costs and complex procurement processes are deterring many SMEs from securing the reliable internet services they need, creating a significant barrier to productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.

Xiphera, a Finnish startup specialising in hardware-based security solutions, has unveiled a project to develop quantum-resilient Authenticated Boot and Hardware Root of Trust systems for space-grade semiconductor architectures.

Maven Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in the UK, has completed the sale of its stake in CB Technology (CBT), a specialist in electronics contract manufacturing, following its acquisition by Elite Electronic Systems (Elite).

London-based firm Quod Orbis, specialising in Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM), announced a new collaboration with Archer, a global name in integrated risk management.

Nominations are now open for The Fintech Power 50 2025, the annual guide showcasing the most influential and innovative companies, along with visionary leaders shaping the future of the fintech industry.

An opportunity to secure £150,000 in funding, advertising, and resource support is now open to entrepreneurs from less advantaged backgrounds outside of London, thanks to Havas Boost, an entrepreneurship programme launched by Havas Media Network UK.

TechMarketView, a tech analyst and advisory firm, has provided a preview of its upcoming 2024 Sustainability Technology Activity Index, which highlights key trends shaping the sustainability landscape. The Index, which analyses market movements across 1,450 global software and IT service providers and tech users, reveals that sustainability is poised to drive a new wave of innovation at the crossroads of business operations, technology, and environmental stewardship.

easyJet has partnered with JetZero to develop an innovative blended-wing aircraft, promising up to 50% lower fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional tube-and-wing designs. These future aircrafts also hold the potential to be hydrogen-powered.

Finnish company Kuva Space, specialising in hyperspectral microsatellites and AI-powered insights, announced the successful conclusion of the Sunstorm CubeSat mission.

Melt&Marble, known for its precision-engineered designer fats, has reached a significant breakthrough by scaling its fat fermentation process to volumes in the tens of thousands of litres.

Vanta, the leading trust management platform, today announced new product features and key milestones aimed at automating GRC workflows and enhancing visibility across security and compliance programs. With the launch of the new Report Centre, improvements to Vendor Risk Management (VRM), and expanded integration capabilities, Vanta is empowering GRC and security teams to maintain a continuous, proactive approach to governance, risk, and compliance.

A groundbreaking new festival, Niyo Fest, is set to land in Birmingham from October 3-5, bringing together underrepresented communities and leading innovators in culture and technology. Anticipating over 10,000 attendees, the event aims to connect and inspire through a diverse lineup of global speakers, entrepreneurs, and performers.

AI is poised to revolutionise the financial services sector, but many organisations are still lagging behind. Operations leaders are increasingly aware of the limitations posed by inadequate access to essential data and are beginning to recognise the transformative potential of AI.

British sustainable technology scaleup Matter has announced a significant partnership with BSH, one of Europe’s top washing machine manufacturers, under the Bosch and Siemens brands.

reMarkable has introduced the reMarkable Paper Pro, a paper tablet that redefines the digital writing experience. Boasting an 11.8-inch colour display, an adjustable reading light, and an unparalleled paper-like feel, the Paper Pro is designed to support professionals in capturing and refining their ideas in an increasingly distracting world.

Planes, a renowned digital product studio, proudly announced its pivotal role in developing Slice Mobile, the UK’s first eSIM-only mobile network. By crafting the Slice Mobile app, Planes has made eSIM technology more accessible, setting a new benchmark for a streamlined, user-friendly mobile experience.

Pennies, the innovative fintech charity known for enabling micro-donations, marked a significant milestone with its inaugural Micro-Donation Day on Monday, 26th August 2024. The event not only raised awareness of the growing micro-donation movement but also generated an impressive £30,000 for charities such as Cancer Research UK, MND Association, and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.

Lineage, a global leader in temperature-controlled warehousing, recently unveiled more information about its Food Chain Innovation Challenge, revealing the judging panels and the grand prize.

Malcom Finance, formerly known as 4Trans, has appointed Michal Šmída, the founder of Twisto, as a Non-Executive Director to help shape its strategic direction. Šmída brings a wealth of experience in building and scaling fintech businesses, which will support Malcom Finance’s growth ambitions.

HM Treasury has officially confirmed the extension of the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) sunset clause to 2035, ensuring that EIS relief and Venture Capital Trusts relief will apply to shares issued before 6 April 2035.