As we bring in the new year, it’s natural for small businesses to approach this time with high hopes and fresh ideas, but all too often, we see business owners falling into the same traps that not only slow down progress but hold your business back. By recognising these common mistakes and using tools like STEAMhouse’s Outcomes Driver Tool, business owners can start the year with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose to innovate better.
Habits shape our daily lives – from the ones we’re proud of to those that come naturally, and yes, even the ones we keep quiet about. A well-known habit is the famous “5 AM club” of business leaders. Back in 2013, The Guardian reported that most CEOs were indeed early birds, springing out of bed at 5 AM without hitting the snooze button. However, research from the University of Westminster suggests that early risers (those up between 5:22 AM and 7:21 AM) actually show higher levels of stress hormones compared to their more leisurely-waking counterparts.
The UK has the third biggest online eCommerce market, behind USA and China and this shows how much the nation has changed from the traditional way of shopping on the High Street.
In its very first days, the new US administration has confirmed its intentions to draw back on some of the key environmental commitments made by the previous government. President Donald Trump immediately signed to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, to end “the electric vehicle mandate,” and to increase oil and gas extraction in order to tackle an energy shortage.
The wait is almost over – E-commerce Berlin Expo 2025 is right around the corner. For the first time ever, the Expo spans two full days, 19th and 20th of February, offering more opportunities to connect, learn, and explore. With free entry and a packed agenda, it’s the ultimate event for anyone in e-commerce. Want to make the most of it? Follow this guide to prepare like a pro – from now until after the Expo.
‘Beyond the Balance Sheet’, a new report from private and commercial bank, Arbuthnot Latham, reveals that over 40% of UK entrepreneurs exit to prioritise wellbeing and family. Current market conditions also play a large role, with 65% selling up sooner than they had wanted due to the fear of tax rises. One in five entrepreneurs said they received offers they “couldn’t refuse”, often resulting in hasty decisions and heightened uncertainty.
Leaders from across the region will meet to discuss the advancements in lab technology and the overarching industry, which has seen numerous developments over the past couple of years. With the conference setting its eyes on the evolution of the lab it will address 9 important and varying themes that encompass the breadth of this ever-growing field in Basel, May 27-28.
Niqolas Bassano, the fitness apparel technology startup, has launched its Angel Investment Round, which went live on 20th January 2025, offering investors the opportunity to join a brand that is redefining activewear through innovation, sustainability, and smart textiles.
London Lab Live 2025 is set to debut on 14–15 May 2025 at ExCeL London, bringing together professionals from across the lab sector to inspire collaboration and innovation. Representing industries such as chemical and material science, FMCG, food and beverage, agriculture, pharma, biotech, medical, real estate, academia, and beyond, the event promises to be the UK’s most dynamic gathering for the lab community.
Steven Bartlett, star of BBC’s Dragon’s Den, and host of Diary of a CEO podcast, has stepped down as a Director of Huel, the meal-replacement drink brand.
After weeks of rising excitement across the international AI community, Ai Everything GLOBAL is officially underway in the UAE after a thrilling opening day kicked off the year’s largest public-private global AI gathering.
TAU Systems, the producer of ultrafast, compact laser-plasma accelerators, has announced its participation in a DARPA-funded initiative to develop new radiation testing capabilities for space-bound electronics. This programme, a part of DARPA’s Advanced Sources for Single Event Effect Radiation Testing (ASSERT) initiative, seeks to enhance the resilience of electronics deployed in space environments where exposure to cosmic radiation poses significant risks to performance and longevity.
The UK set a new record of 5.63 million active companies registered with Companies House at the end of 2024, an increase of 3% on the year before, according to the NatWest and Beauhurst New Startup Index.
Drip Water, the UK’s premier lifestyle water brand founded by British TV chef and musician Big Zuu, announces a strategic equity investment from Raya Holding. The £4 million investment will support the brand’s expansion across the Middle East, bringing its valuation to £100 million.
Forty-one percent of UK managers have stated they’d look to implement ‘hushed hybrid’ to keep staff happy despite greater calls from leaders for a return-to-office.
The UAE’s journey of spearheading AI progress worldwide has marked another milestone, with the announcement that Ai Everything Global Summit & Expo will be hosted in Abu Dhabi in 2026. This launch reinforces the UAE’s commitment to becoming a premier global hub for AI excellence.
With World Cancer Day taking place on Tuesday 4 February 2025, Towergate Employee Benefits is alerting global employers to the different and evolving approaches to cancer care around the world and advising employers that they must adapt support.
When money is cheap, we want AI to be more human, or even more than human. Capitalists may even secretly dream of replacing their meddlesome employees with bots while claiming otherwise.
Fimple, a provider of flexible, cloud-native core banking software, has raised $12 million in its Series A funding round. The investment, led by DN Capital and Smartfin, saw continued participation from existing investors, including Albaraka Portfolio and Tera Portfolio.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainability, startups face unique challenges and opportunities. The UK government has intensified efforts to decarbonise the nation’s electricity system through substantial investments in low-carbon infrastructure. Here we discuss the opportunity for startups to gain access to this investment.
