DORA – bureaucratic bugbear or golden opportunity?

The Digital Operational Resilience Act, commonly known as DORA, is scheduled to come into force on 17 January 2025. It aims to both harmonise EU Information and Communication Technology (ICT) regulation across EU member states and, more importantly, address a critical gap in how financial institutions manage ICT operational resiliency risks.

Are we entering the era of B2B BNPL?

In this article, Benjamin Berényi, CEO and co-founder of PastPay, discusses the rapid rise of B2B Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) across Europe and explains why this expanding sector has the potential to rival – or even surpass – the impact of its more established B2C counterpart.

The founder’s guide to UK employment law

Hiring your first employees marks a major milestone for any startup, reflecting your business’s growth. However, expanding your team requires a deeper understanding of HR processes and employment law to avoid common pitfalls. Sally Gwilliam, Employment Partner at Harper James talks you through the essential areas you need to know as your business grows including employment status, contracts, HR compliance, IP protection, and dealing with resignations.

5 strategies to work on your cognitive health to scale your startup

Brain expert Natalie Mackenzie helps business owners understand their brains better. Here she shares why understanding your cognitive health, and improving it, is key to being the founder of a successful startup.

Enky overhauls startup fundraising with crowdfunding campaign 

It all seems to make perfect sense: when you manage, after a global crisis, to reinvent how organisations furnish their spaces – preserving cash flow while helping them meet regulatory, environmental, and social obligations – you should also be able to envision an entirely new way to fuel your ambitions.

What does ‘out of the box thinking’ even mean?!
This article is part 8 of 10 in the series Navigating Critical Change

In a world where disruption and innovation are worn as badges of honour, the term ‘thinking outside the box’ is meant to be something we all strive for as a personal attribute, and feel less adequate if we’re not one of those out of the box thinkers.

IT professionals blame the ‘skills gap’ for new hire struggles

A notable 41% of IT professionals are struggling to hire qualified candidates due to a ‘significant’ skills gap in the industry, with only 12% reportedly unaffected by this gap. That’s according to new data from SolarWinds, a provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software.

Forefront RF secures £16M to power next-gen connectivity solutions

Forefront RF, a fabless semiconductor company based in Cambridge, UK, announced the closure of its £16 million Series A funding round, backed by existing investors BGF and Foresight Group, alongside new VC partners, Octopus Ventures, and Cambridge Innovation Capital. This infusion of capital supports Forefront RF’s mission to redefine how mobile devices manage complex RF environments, expanding possibilities for connected devices worldwide.

Ex-Microsoft launches “Digital Horse” solution to address $300Bn equestrian industry

Smart Horse Technologies BV announces Equestic Coach-Copilot, a first-of-its kind AI-powered solution, that dramatically improves performance, coaching, and safety for both riders and horses. 

FINTECH Circle and Started announce new strategic partnership

FINTECH Circle, a global network encompassing over 260,000 business leaders, investors, and innovators, is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Started PR, an agency for world-changing fintech brands and entrepreneurs, formerly part of SkyParlour.

Is it time for Fintechs to become more socially conscious?

In today’s world, there seems to be very little that people agree on. We live in divided times, but scratch beneath the surface, and areas of broad consensus do still exist.

Higher costs and slow growth: adapting to the Autumn Budget for Small Businesses

In the Autumn Budget of 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced a series of reforms that have stirred both concern and cautious optimism among the UK’s small business community. Small businesses are widely understood to be the backbone of the UK economy; at the start of 2023 there were 5.6 million small businesses, SMEs had a combined turnover of £2.4 trillion, and SMEs account for nearly two-thirds (61%) of total employment.

Introverted founders: why vulnerability can be your startup strength

In the early days of my business, I found myself at a networking event surrounded by founders who seemed larger than life. They moved with purpose, voices carrying across the room as they swapped stories and promoted their businesses. As a natural introvert, I felt like a fish out of water and wondered if my quieter approach could ever make an impact. For years, I believed success meant being bold, loud, and unmistakably seen. But what if success didn’t require becoming someone I wasn’t?

Sustainable startups: a call for action

In today’s world, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a critical necessity. As global environmental challenges intensify, businesses in every sector are being called upon to adopt eco-friendly practices. This shift is crucial, not only for reducing waste and carbon emissions but also for promoting a healthier future. For startups, this presents a golden opportunity to innovate, disrupt traditional industries and build sustainability into their core operations from the ground up.

B2B Stars hits milestone as platform boosts visibility for small businesses

B2B Stars, the platform for B2B search, ratings, and digital engagement, has attracted 80,000 visits in just two months since its launch, driving new digital visibility for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Designed to streamline how SMBs connect with prospects and suppliers, B2B Stars enables users to discover, evaluate, and engage with businesses seamlessly.

Over a third of international employers lack sufficient benefits, impacting recruitment and retention

According to Towergate Employee Benefits’ research, over a third (37%) of companies with employees based outside of the UK stated that they do not offer enough health and wellbeing support and that this impacts their ability to recruit and retain people.

Solivus paired with Modulaire Group as part of Better Futures Net Zero Innovation Challenge

Lightweight solar company Solivus has announced it has been paired with modular services and infrastructure giant Modulaire Group as part of the Mayor of London’s Better Futures Net Zero Innovation Challenge.

UK’s tech supercluster to include world-first technology in pre-accelerator programme

SuperTech, the UK’s only Tech supercluster, welcomes world-first investment technology, AI Simulator, to play a pivotal role in supporting early-stage founders in the SuperTech Seeds programme. The platform provides crucial assistance to entrepreneur at the ‘idea stage’ as they work to develop their business models and navigate the complexities of the startup investment market.

Glint Solar closes $8M Series A to accelerate global solar power adoption

Solar developer software, Glint Solar, has announced an $8 million Series A funding round led by Smedvig Ventures with participation from Momentum, Futurum Ventures, Antler’s Nordic fund, and later stage fund, Elevate.

Why every business needs a Sustainability Manager

These days, sustainability is no longer just a buzzword – it’s a necessity. Companies are increasingly recognising the importance of sustainable practices not only for the environment but also for long-term business success. But here’s the question every business owner should ask themselves – do I need a sustainability manager? I firmly believe the answer is yes, and here’s why.