Needle secures $2.2M to help organisations unlock the potential of AI

Needle, an AI-powered search and agent development platform, has raised $2.2 million seed funding in a round led by 468 Capital and Presight Capital. The funding will expand Needle’s engineering team, strengthen its core technology, and accelerate its go-to-market initiatives.

Gen Z business leaders prioritise ‘profit with purpose’

Generation Z business leaders are pioneering a new approach with purpose, profit, and personal wellbeing at the forefront of their business, according to new research by American Express and The Conduit, a collaborative impact community and members club.

Quantum Industries raises $10M to transform cybersecurity for the quantum era

Quantum Industries (QI), a startup in quantum secure communications for critical infrastructure, has announced the successful completion of its seed financing round, raising a total of $10 million in fresh capital.

Banishing self-doubt and building self-belief

When I started researching to write my book (Doubt~less, Do more) I found that I wasn’t the only one that had let self-doubt get in the way of what I wanted to build in my business and I knew that I wanted to help people to doubt themselves less and do more with their businesses. What I didn’t realise was, in writing the book I would have to really look at all the angles that doubt had got in my way in the past, and how I then had to move through this to build my own self-belief whilst I was writing the book.

Constellation Technologies & Operations unveils regenerative 5G mmWave payload for space telecommunications

Less than six months after securing €9.3 million in funding, Constellation Technologies & Operations (CTO) is delivering on its ambitions. The startup is developing a constellation of VLEO satellites to enable telecom operators to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access from space – just as they do today with terrestrial networks. CTO has unveiled its first regenerative operational payload, the Early Test.

Solving B2B onboarding challenges: elevating user experience with B2B identity

In the digital age, we interact with countless applications, whether for personal, professional, or recreational purposes. Many of these applications appear consumer-oriented but are, in fact, B2B applications. By accessing healthcare services, payroll systems, or school management platforms, customers are using their provider’s applications (such as GP or employer) which is a business customer of a larger B2B application. B2B applications form an integral part of daily operations across various industries.

Strategic early decisions for startup success: a UK and Ireland perspective

Starting a new business is an exciting journey. You have an idea, you have spotted a market opportunity and have the passion to take the business forward. However, the path to profitability and growth can be challenging, as highlighted by data showing a 26% increase in the number of startups that shut down in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Merchants must embrace new payment tech to ‘click with’ Generation Z

In an age where technology shapes much of our everyday lives, businesses must keep up with innovations to meet the demands of tech-savvy consumers. 

VCTA marks 30 years of venture capital trusts at House of Lords event

The Venture Capital Trust Association (VCTA) celebrated the 30th anniversary of the UK’s Venture Capital Trust (VCT) scheme at a landmark event held at the House of Lords, reflecting on three decades of investment, innovation, and economic growth.

‘Change fatigue’ ranks in top barriers to communication and HR success for first time

As companies navigate an increasingly turbulent external environment, communications and HR leaders have identified ‘change fatigue’ as one of the top five barriers to success, according to Gallagher’s 2025 Employee Communications Report. The report, which drew insights from more than 2,000 communication and HR leaders across 55 countries, found that 44% of HR leaders view change fatigue as a key battleground for success in 2025.

Aurora Tech Award announces 2025 finalists

The Aurora Tech Award has unveiled its 2025 finalists. The annual award spotlights outstanding female founders in emerging markets, celebrating visionary women entrepreneurs who are redefining the technology landscape.

Helsinki invites deeptech leaders to network and explore business opportunities

Helsinki Metropolitan Area is raising its profile as a noteworthy deeptech hub. Now, the city of Helsinki invites business leaders to discover opportunities in the field with a deeptech-focused edition of the famous 90 Day Finn programme.

Why waiting to invest is riskier than investing

“Far more money has been lost by investors preparing for corrections or trying to anticipate corrections than has been lost in corrections themselves.” – Peter Lynch

Men overestimate workplace equality as women face harassment and pay gaps

HiBob has released its fourth annual Women in the Workplace report, revealing men’s perceptions of workplace equality are out-of-touch with reality. 

How to connect like a pro: the problem with networking events

We’ve all been there. The stale conference room, the awkward small talk, the business card swaps that lead to… nothing.

Why the future of workplace software is less, not more

While few of us would ever actively try to imperil our organisation’s digital coherency or security, many of us do this every day by installing new software our IT teams know nothing about.

From startup to scaleup: when workplace culture becomes a business imperative

Is DEI a good thing or a bad thing? Before the 2024 US election, it was all the rage, but now the once-touted benefits of cognitive diversity are being played down in a backlash against wokery. But how much does it actually matter?

R&D tax claims demand a culture of compliance from businesses

Innovation is a powerful driver of national economic growth. HMRC, having long recognised the role that tech companies play in the GDP engine, continues to support this output with its R&D relief scheme.

The Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs highlights EASI progress

The Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, the City of London’s newest livery company, and the Company of Entrepreneurs Trust were delighted to showcase the progress and early impact of their annual Entrepreneurs’ Award in Social Innovation (EASI) and announce an exciting collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers, to an invited audience at Drapers’ Hall in the City of London.

Founders Factory named the UK’s top startup hub
Founders Factory named the UK’s top startup hub

Founders Factory, the London-based Venture Studio and early-stage investor, has been named the UK’s number one startup hub by the Financial Times, in its latest European Startup Hubs ranking. The FT-Statista report also sees Founders Factory ranked among its top five European startup hubs for the second year running.