Creating pathways for refugee youth: a new certification opens doors to education and employment

In January 2020, I co-founded Alsama Project with Kadria Hussein, herself a Syrian refugee living in Lebanon. Based in the Shatila Refugee Camp in Beirut, we provide innovative education solutions for out-of-school refugees. Today around 880 students are enrolled across four non-formal education centres in camps in Lebanon.

SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz to Deliver C Space Keynote at CES 2025

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), owner and producer of CES, the world’s most powerful tech event, announces Jennifer Witz, CEO of SiriusXM, a leading audio entertainment company in North America, will keynote at CES 2025. During an event at McIntosh Group’s House of Sound this afternoon, CTA shared the news that Witz will take the stage alongside Ashley Flowers, the #1 female podcaster in the U.S., host of the hit podcast Crime Junkie, and Founder of audiochuck, a leading media company. Witz and Flowers will participate in a fireside chat on the evolution of audio and what they believe is next for the industry.

Origin wins  €4.5M European Defence Fund Grant

Latvian defence tech startup Origin has secured €4.5 million from the European Defence Fund (EDF) to develop a man-portable ISTAR drone (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance) with target laser designation capability.

Mastering the regulation maze: what it takes to launch a successful regtech startup

Building a regtech startup that not only survives but thrives in today’s regulatory climate requires more than a bright idea. It takes strategic foresight, meaning teams must keep a finger on the pulse of ever-evolving regulations. As with any business, having a deep understanding of the market that you’re either creating or addressing is critical – but with regulatory environments constantly tightening, the regtech sector takes this one step further.

A flight to recovery: Vertical Aerospace secures vital funding

Bristol-based aerospace startup, Vertical Aerospace, has announced a major funding injection, after financially struggling in recent times.

UK digital diagnostics startup PocDoc secures largest pre-A funding round

The UK’s largest ever pre- A funding round for a digital diagnostics company, has been announced by Cambridge-based healthtech startup, PocDoc.

Battery startup Molyon raises $4.6M to create a new future for sustainable batteries

Molyon – the spinout developing next-generation batteries with double the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries – has raised $4.6 million in its first funding co-led by IQ Capital and Plural. The funding will kickstart manufacturing at its pilot facility in Cambridge through expansion of the core team including battery engineers, material scientists and operations staff.

Retail digital marketing strategies for startups

Starting a retail business in today’s digital age can be both exciting and challenging. With the rapid evolution of online platforms and digital marketing tools, startups have incredible opportunities to reach their target audience effectively. However, navigating the world of small business digital marketing can be overwhelming without the right strategies. This guide provides essential digital marketing tips for retail startups to establish a strong online presence, engage customers, and grow sustainably.

BSI publishes global standard to unlock innovation excellence

A new framework designed to guide businesses to introduce and implement new ideas, processes, products, or services that improve an organisation’s overall efficiency, productivity, or culture has been published by UK national standards body BSI.

YouLend Data: UK SMEs embrace embedded financing for Black Friday and Christmas

YouLend, the global embedded financing platform, has reported that a growing number of UK SMEs are turning to embedded financing to secure vital capital ahead of the most important sales period of the year – Black Friday and Christmas.

Holiday season shopping surge: UK consumers will spend more

Black Friday 2024 is almost upon us, and new data from Criteo shows it promises to be a significant moment for retail. With UK consumer spend set to rise year-on-year, the insights demonstrate that tailored product recommendations, omnichannel experiences, and discounted offerings will be key to attracting high-intent shoppers.

Argil secures €4.9m to enable anyone to become a creator with their own AI video clone

Argil, the video engine for the creator economy, has announced it has raised €4.9 million in pre-seed and seed funding as it emerges from the Y Combinator incubator. The company raised €3.9 million in a round led by EQT Ventures and with participation from renowned youtuber Kwebblekop, who has over 15 million subscribers and uses Argil to grow his own Youtube channel, and Charles Gorintin, Co-Founder & CTO of Alan, Co-Founding Advisor of Mistral AI.

Multi-million-pound investment will accelerate the development of ethical AI solutions

Trilateral Research, which investigates ethical AI solutions to address a range of complex social issues, has secured a £2.5 million investment from Growth Lending. The funds will facilitate the growth of the business as Trilateral Research accelerates the rollout of ethical AI products, which are designed to tackle complex social issues such as child safeguarding, modern slavery and public health.

British engineering finds a collective voice

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), are being given the chance to engage with their bigger counterparts, along with education and governments, in order to help drive policy reform, close the skills gap, and generate growth, it has been announced.

GetOrder secures $250,000 pre-seed to revolutionise restaurant-tech

Ukrainian startup GetOrder, a rising star in the restaurant-tech sector, has raised $250,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by the venture capital fund Digital Future, with additional backing from the United Angels Network. The funding will drive the company’s expansion into European markets and enhance its product offerings for the restaurant industry, aiming to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

Donut Lab modular platform accelerates electric mobility across land, sea, and air

Donut Lab has developed an entirely new approach to building electric vehicles. The company’s development platform offers manufacturers a library of inter-compatible components that can be used to produce new electric vehicles such as supercars, buses, drones, or SUVs in record time. In addition, the company promises that vehicles built on the platform have significantly better performance and they are lighter and more affordable to manufacture.

The Hurun Research Institute showcases young British entrepreneurs boosting growth

Global research group, The Hurun Research Institute, has just released the Hurun UK Under30s 2024, showcasing outstanding young entrepreneurs in the UK who are driving growth and job creation.

iwoca launches £500,000 fund to boost AI and data skills for UK SMEs

iwoca has announced access to a £500,000 fund to help small businesses and employees build skills in AI and data analytics.

HyperHeat secures €3.5M to decarbonise high-temperature industrial heat

HyperHeat, the startup using renewable energy to make Zero-Carbon industrial heat, has successfully raised €3.5 million in a funding round. The investment was led by the Amadeus APEX Technology Fund with participation from Finindus, Possible Ventures, E44 Ventures, Breakthrough Energy Fellows, and a group of seasoned business angel investors.

High-end entrepreneurship events you should be attending

As an entrepreneur, life can be full of ups and downs, with founders facing all kinds of hurdles along the way. However, one thing that can always help you find your way is events. Hearing insights and advice from people who have been there can help you figure out the next steps on your journey. And what a range of events, conferences, summits, and expos there are out there for entrepreneurs to attend!