National HealthTech Series: AI Integration into the UK’s NHS and Private Health Systems Brings a Combination of Risk and Reward

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions into front-line healthcare services in the UK is set to grow exponentially over the next decade, providing opportunities for faster, more accurate diagnosis and treatment. However, risks exist and there are concerns around patient data management, according to an expert group in Leeds.

Half of C-suite want to ‘completely overhaul’ how they use data

More than half of C-level leaders (58%) want to ‘completely overhaul’ their approach to data in 2025. That’s according to new research from data streaming platform Confluent.

Avenue HQ Celebrates 5 Years Leading Coworking and Flexible Office Space in the Liverpool City Region

Avenue HQ, a flexible workspace provider, has marked its fifth anniversary at St Paul’s Square. A major milestone celebrating half a decade of innovation and growth within the city’s booming business district. The anniversary was commemorated with a whole week of events, bringing together Avenue HQ’s community of current members, alumni and supporters from the local ecosystem.

Xiphera and Crypto Quantique partner for quantum-resilient hardware trust engines

Xiphera, provider of highly-optimised, hardware-based cryptographic security, has announced its partnership with Crypto Quantique, a provider of quantum-driven IoT device security.

The growing role of freelancers in startups and beyond

Startups often face rapid changes and resource limitations. To grow, and in many cases grow fast, they increasingly rely on external expertise to bridge the gap between in-house capabilities and specific, high-demand skills. Think of trying to build a plane while flying it! This is where freelancers come in.

Bendi secures $1.04M to accelerate supply chain risk management with AI

Bendi, the AI-driven platform that helps businesses manage and mitigate business disruption, sustainability challenges and reputational risks in their supply chains, has announced it has raised $1.04 million in pre-seed funding.

DeepL to debut NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD with DGX GB200 Systems in Europe

DeepL, a global Language AI company, has announced it will be among the first to commercially deploy the NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD with DGX GB200 systems. The NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD, which is expected to be operational at DeepL by mid-2025, will be used to power research computation.

Lola takes major stake in PACETEQ, boosting data tech and software

Lola Cars has become a major stakeholder in PACETEQ, one of the automotive industry’s foremost data technology and software companies. The investment sees Lola gain access to knowledge and expertise critical to the brand’s ambitions to re-establish itself as a world leader in sustainable engineering and motorsport.

Lithuanian startup Traxlo wins regional finals of the Startup World Cup in Prague

The Startup World Cup regional finals have crowned a new champion. Lithuanian startup Traxlo, with its platform “Tasku.app” – a short-term gig work portal offering flexible tasks in local stores, has won the opportunity to represent Central and Eastern Europe in Silicon Valley’s grand finale and compete for the $1 million prize. The event took place during the Engaged Investments conference, hosted by DEPO Ventures and J&T Ventures in Prague, Czech Republic.

New ‘On-demand’ ESG reporting platform launches for sustainability frameworks

The Sustainability Analytics platform GaiaLens, has launched its new on-demand sustainability reporting product for ESG analysts today. Offering a flexible, monthly subscription-based model, analysts can now access fully automated reporting for all major sustainability frameworks at the click of a button.

The Access Group acquires AI-powered presentation solution Hireara

The Access Group, a provider of business management software to mid-market organisations in Europe, USA and Asia Pacific, has announced that it has acquired HireAra, a UK based AI-powered candidate presentation platform that automates the process of formatting and presenting candidate CVs/resumes for recruiters.

More than one in five US SMBs could run out of cash by Christmas

Invoice finance company Stenn has released new findings highlighting that US SMBs are cash-strapped heading into the festive period, betting big on the holiday season to top up reserves that are running dry.

Tech entrepreneur calls for introduction of 10-year visas for STEM grads

Entrepreneur, early-stage investor and philanthropist Dr Ewan Kirk has called on the Government to introduce a blanket 10-year visa for all STEM graduates in a move to boost entrepreneurship, drive growth, and encourage more of the world’s brightest and best to choose the UK for their graduate and post-graduate STEM education

Auquan raises $4.5M to automate deep work in finance with AI

Auquan, an AI innovator for financial services, has announced a $4.5 million addition to its seed round, led by Peak XV with continued participation from Neotribe Ventures, bringing total seed funding to $8 million.

Chancellor’s Budget must encourage investment in skills and tech adoption, says CIPD

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Budget announcement, the CIPD is calling on the government to increase apprenticeship opportunities for young people, encourage innovation, and improve labour market enforcement.

LG NOVA reveals 2024 startup pitch winners

Showcasing cutting-edge technological solutions, LG NOVA, the North America Innovation Center of LG Electronics, has announced the winners of the 2024 Startup Pitch Competition, co-sponsored by LG Chem. This year’s event, held during LG NOVA’s annual InnoFest in San Francisco, featured standout startups focused on Life Sciences, Open Innovation, HealthTech, AI, Smart Life and CleanTech, with three companies recognised for their potential to drive impactful change.

TIS2024 Touristech Startup Fest winning solutions: Travel apparel rental and smart hotel water management

For yet another edition, Tourism Innovation Summit (TIS) has held the world’s largest entrepreneurship competition in the tourism industry. More than 400 startup companies have applied as candidates for the Touristech Startup Fest 2024, of which 40 have been the finalists and have presented their business models in front of investors in Travel Tech in Seville, Spain. This year, the international participation of entrepreneurs has grown with projects from countries such as Spain, Argentina, the United States, Slovakia, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Mexico, Bhutan and Italy.

The key to trust: why clear communication is vital for fintech startups

Fintech startups in recent years have garnered quite a reputation for being the major drivers of financial transformation on the global scale. However, the reality is that far more startups collapse early on then achieve success and make any lasting impact. Even if they survive their first year, around 70% of ventures fall through before reaching the half-a-decade mark.

Why startups need scenario planning

As an industry analyst and thought leadership advisor, I find that most startups share a form of purposeful myopia – a belief in the inevitability of a product or service. If only buyers and investors understood the vision, they would put their money behind it.

The Autumn Budget 2024: the industry reacts

On the 30th October, the long awaited Autumn Budget was delivered by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.