The world of work is changing at an unprecedented pace. Driven by advancements in technology and shifting societal expectations, workplace trends mirror cultural shifts, hinting at a bold future where work becomes more adaptable, efficient and human-centred.
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.
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.
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.
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?
AllFocal Optics, the deeptech startup pioneering nanophotonic lens technology for always-in-focus images, has announced fresh $5.3 million funding, comprised of a $3.6 million (£2.8 million) equity raise, led by SpeedInvest, and Innovate UK grants.
Miros, the visual AI e-commerce search solution, has raised a €6 million pre-Series A investment led by EBRD Venture Capital and Tera Ventures. Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves also participated in the round as an Angel Investor. Miros will use the funding to enhance R&D, further develop the technology, and expand market reach. To date, the company has raised €8 million.
Ampd Energy, a global energy industry innovator and manufacturer of the Enertainer and Ampd Silo battery energy storage systems (ESS) for heavy industries, has announced that it has raised $27.3 million in an oversubscribed Series B funding round.
83% of professionals state they’ve experienced mental ill health at work in the past 12 months – with more than a quarter encountering it ‘regularly’.
While UK inflation has notably declined over the past year, the sharp rise in the cost of living in previous years continues to impact individuals and businesses. As a result, salary budgeting for 2025 might be a challenging task for companies. To provide a helpful resource for next year’s salary budgeting process, UK-based pay and reward consultancy 3R Strategy has now launched its 4th Global Salary Planning Report.
As the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, and we are certainly seeing that play out now with the rocketing rise of side hustles in the UK. Economic and political uncertainty, higher interest rates, and rising taxes have all meant more people than ever before want to start their own business or are exploring other ways to make extra income.
For startups and entrepreneurs, understanding market dynamics is crucial to business growth and brand momentum. Market research provides invaluable insights that can steer your business in the right direction. Yet it’s often not considered a priority part of the planning process, despite its importance in brand building. Here are 10 essential tips to help you grasp the importance of market research for your startup’s success.
How to build a mission-driven startup with long-term goals in the evolving Web3 and blockchain space
Web3 and blockchain are among the fastest-growing sectors within the technology space today. Trends shift constantly, and new technologies with their different applications emerge as quickly as the next – what’s new today could be outdated tomorrow. Many founders in the space often find themselves juggling a difficult balancing act: having to keep their eyes on long-term goals while navigating a market that is moving at an incredible speed.
It has been a week since the Autumn Budget was delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, and the dust has started to settle.
Technology continues to redefine our senses, and AI startup Osmo has recently hit a groundbreaking milestone: the first demonstration of ‘scent teleportation’.
Founders and business leaders seeking sustainable growth are invited to join Growing with Purpose: A Founder’s Workshop for Business Success, taking place on Thursday 21st November 2024. The workshop, hosted at Bingham Riverhouse, is designed to help entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners break through structural barriers and master the art of cash flow, as well as learning how to build a business that balances profit and purpose.
New analysis of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) data by London & Partners shows that more AI companies (75 companies) from London have expanded internationally than from any other city globally post-pandemic. The UK capital has also welcomed the second-highest number of AI companies (94 companies) in the world, after Dubai (112 companies).
DUKE Distribution, a provider of specialist transport and trackway installation services, has secured a debt finance funding package from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II.
Vuka Group and Africa’s Green Economy Summit are spearheading efforts to boost Africa’s inclusive economic growth by connecting project owners with a global network of investors. This strategic initiative aims to accelerate vital projects, promoting sustainability and prosperity across the continent.
Mahdi Yahya, CEO and Founder of Ori, a UK-based provider of GPUs for AI compute, argues that the UK has all the ingredients necessary to build its own sovereign cloud computing infrastructure – but it’s being held back by a lack of imagination from senior tech players.
