Edmund, a Czech-based startup specialising in AI solutions for manufacturing, has closed a €500,000 pre-seed round led by Lighthouse Ventures, with Czech Founders VC, Borovicka Capital, and deeptech investor Tensor Ventures joining. This round of fundraising will be used to enhance Edmund’s platform and expand its presence throughout the EU and US markets.
In its 2024 report, Tech Nation revealed that the UK’s tech sector is booming, as it boasts 171 ‘unicorns’ and a market valuation of $1.1 trillion.
HowNow – the AI-powered learning and skills platform, has announced the completion of its Series A funding having raised a total of £7.5 million. Following an initial £4 million Series A investment from Mercia Ventures and FTSE 100 education firm Pearson in February 2023, HowNow recently secured a further £3.5 million from the same two investors, along with Fuel Ventures.
Addleshaw Goddard and HSBC have announced the return of the Ethnic Business Growth Programme, an initiative which seeks to empower and support UK businesses which are led by entrepreneurs from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
The Good Business Charter and its 1,000+ accredited organisations received a welcome boost as it celebrated five years of championing a clear commitment to responsible business practices towards people and planet.
The second Future of Capitalism Competition, founded by The Leo Lion Company, took place on the 12th February at The Shard in London. The Startups Magazine team went along to the evening to learn more about the startup finalists of this year’s competition, and to celebrate with the finalists and winners.
Only 51% of part-time and full-time workers in the UK feel their employers provide support, resources or initiatives that improve their wellbeing, a new study from infinitSpace has revealed.
Global research group, the Hurun Research Institute, has released Hurun UK Unicorns and Future Unicorns Index 2024, showcasing 137 outstanding startups competing on the world stage and driving the UK economy to new levels.
MarketLeap, the fully integrated AI-driven platform to simplify and scale D2C ecommerce, has announced an $8 million Series A funding round led by Smedvig Ventures, with participation from Expon Capital, Motier Ventures, and prominent business angels including former executives from Amazon, SoftBank, and Unilever. This capital injection will allow the company to accelerate platform development and invest in top talent to support its rapid growth trajectory.
When I first started helping organisations to change their culture, it was quite a slog to convince them that getting their culture right would change everything. Or anything.
Breakthrough, an AI self-learning B2B sales messaging startup that launched at the end of 2024, has already secured $600,000 in a pre-seed round, and secured customers including Fortune 500 companies.
A couple of Manchester-based graduates have successfully launched the B2B travel-tech platform Arcube, with Etihad Airways as its first customer. In conjunction with the launch, Arcube is announcing a $1.5 million seed round to further develop the platform and its services, co-led by Fuel Ventures and Oxford Capital.
Gigged.AI, has released a 36-page report entitled ‘The AI Talent Crisis: How Skills-Powered Organisations Can Unlock the UK’s Potential’ which has raised concerns over the deepening AI skills gap in the workforce, with an overwhelming 92% of companies prioritising upskilling in Generative AI. However, the report which surveyed UK businesses, also highlights a major concern: Government policies, particularly IR35 and rising
DeepL, a global Language AI company, has unveiled its latest whitepaper, “The language revolution: how AI improves the way businesses communicate.” Based on findings from a new DeepL survey of EMEA and US business leaders, as well as external sources, the report explores the intersection of language and AI in business, covering critical topics ranging from global corporate AI adoption trends, to the financial impact of poor communication on international businesses, and the real-world impact and value of Language AI tools.
The UK government should draw on the creativity and insights of Britain’s ambitious small business community if it is to achieve its “number one mission” to grow the economy, says a new report published by Goldman Sachs.
Leap Venture Studio & Academy, the pet care startup accelerator, has announced the launch of its ninth accelerator programme. The studio offers pet care startup founders a highly customised, hybrid programme tailored to support and provide resources to early-stage startups, in addition to $200,000 in funding. The newest cohort kicks off in Nashville on February 24, and will culminate with a Demo Day in London on May 16.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has launched a new AI playbook, guiding the ‘safe and effective’ use of AI in the public sector.
CUTISS AG, a life sciences company at the forefront of tissue engineering therapy and regenerative medicine, has announced positive long-term efficacy and safety readout in the Phase 2 clinical trials of denovoSkin in reconstructive surgery as well as in burns treatment.
With UK landlines (PSTN) being phased out by 2027, small businesses face a shift in how they communicate. Rinkel, the Dutch telecom provider for freelancers and SoHo, is expanding its virtual phone services to the UK, offering a reliable, future-proof alternative to traditional telephony.
Nina Capital, a venture capital firm dedicated to healthcare transformation through technology, has announced the first close of its €50 million Fund III. The new fund will propel Nina Capital’s total assets under management to over €100 million, reinforcing its position as a leading international investor driving impactful healthcare innovation.
