Ninety seven percent of organisations using generative AI have faced security incidents or data breaches linked to the technology this year, according to Capgemini Research Institute.
First things first – the rise of ESG up the corporate agenda is good news for the planet. Whether that is driven by evolving regulation, internal company values or the rise of ethical consumerism, initiatives are gaining traction. Beyond this, however, prioritising ESG is increasingly having a positive impact on the bottom line.
The hiring landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift, as organisations reconsider their degree requirements in their pursuit of top talent. According to a recent survey, 45% of companies intend to eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements for certain positions this year, with 55% having already done so in 2023 for some roles.
Despite a challenging backdrop, UK SMEs are still optimistic about the future of their businesses, with nearly three-quarters forecasting growth in the coming year. That’s according to American Express’ latest research which highlights a resilience among these businesses, and sheds light on how small and medium-sized enterprises are navigating rising costs and evolving customer expectations to map a path to success.
Fintech giant Revolut has revealed that it has now secured a UK trading licence granted by the British financial regulator. This milestone will enable the platform to facilitate the trading of UK and EU-listed stocks, as well as exchange-traded funds, starting in 2025.
Little Journey, the healthtech company transforming the delivery of paediatric care through personalised psychological support, has announced £6 million in Series A funding. The round, which will be used to accelerate Little Journey’s mission to revolutionise paediatric healthcare globally, was led by Edinburgh and Leeds-based venture capital firm Par Equity.
Mindstone, a global training platform and community focused on the practical use of AI for non-technical staff, and Intuition, a global company in knowledge solutions with a track record approaching 40 years of corporate excellence, has announced a partnership to accelerate AI adoption across banking, financial services, and the broader corporate sector.
Half of C-suite executives (52%) say that data is ‘out of date’ by the time it reaches their desks. That’s according to newly released research findings from data streaming platform Confluent.
AI hardware startup GEMESYS has successfully raised €8.6 million in a pre-seed funding round led by the Amadeus APEX Technology Fund together with Atlantic Labs. Participation from NRW.BANK, Sony Innovation Fund, and Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play Tech Centre, as well as grant funding from the German government, complemented the round.
Innovation scaleup Wazoku is expanding into the GCC region, with the establishment of a dedicated presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Algorithmiq has announced a venture to accelerate error mitigation techniques for near-term quantum devices.
Heim Health, a software platform powering at-home healthcare, has announced a £2.2 million seed round to revive community-based healthcare through a tech-led, scalable model of delivery – easing pressure on hospitals and delivering better experiences for patients.
With 2025 just around the corner, AI continues to redefine industries, unlocking new opportunities for efficiency, growth, and value creation. Tools such as ChatGPT have received unprecedented attention yet represent only a small part of the transformational value that AI can offer to businesses. Companies seeking to heighten their value – be it in attracting investors, underpinning growth, or laying a foundation in advance would do well to investigate the use of AI outside generative text tools.
High-level sports coaching has long been an opportunity reserved for the few – those with access to the right resources, connections, or deep pockets. When a single one-on-one tennis lesson can cost upwards of £50, professional training is an unattainable dream for many aspiring athletes.
Veriam has announced the launch of its platform that combines identity management, access control, and subscription services into a single, efficient solution. This new platform aims to make complex processes simple by eliminating the need for multiple tools, helping organisations manage user access and subscriptions with minimal effort.
CommBox, an enterprise-grade omnichannel, AI-powered customer experience platform, has announced the completion of a $15 million growth investment round from PSG Equity, a growth equity firm that specialises in partnering with software and technology-enabled services companies to help navigate and capitalise on transformational growth.
Three-quarters of UK business leaders (72%) say they are stressed out over sustainability targets and the pressure to reach Net Zero, according to research by BT.
Pruna AI, the AI optimisation engine empowering ML teams to simplify code and streamline models, has announced that it has successfully raised $6.5 million in a seed funding round led by EQT Ventures with participation from Daphni, Motier, and Kima, along with support from high profile angels including Roxanne Varza, Hervé Nivon, and Olivier Pomel.
Aachen-based startup IonKraft GmbH, a spin-off of RWTH Aachen University, has successfully closed a first equity financing round of €3.5 million. The round was co-led by M Ventures (the strategic investment fund of Merck) and TechVision Fund and joined by High-Tech-Gruenderfonds.
Bev Hurley CBE, Executive Chair of YTKO and previously CEO for 25 years, has been recognised for her Outstanding Contribution to Economic Development at the Institute of Economic Development (IED) Annual Awards 2024.
