We have reached the end of summer, and some people’s annual holidays are coming to an end. This is an important time for businesses to consider their employees’ wellbeing and wider team morale, as people may start to feel the end of the summer slump – a shared feeling amongst employees as they return to work as normal after summer holidays, and in some cases, preparation for the festive season, which is likely to be a busier trading period for most businesses.
Toyota Motor Corporation has announced plans to inject $500 million into Joby Aviation, the electric air taxi developer, as part of a larger effort to bring air mobility closer to reality. The investment is aimed at supporting the certification process and scaling up the commercial production of Joby’s electric air taxis.
According to a 2024 Marketing Week survey, two-thirds of SMEs don’t have a marketing plan in place. Shocking, but should we really be surprised?
Proteine Resources, a biotech company based in Poland, has secured €1.36 million in funding from SMOK Ventures and Bitspiration Booster VC, bringing its total raised to €1.8 million. Focused on revolutionising the animal nutrition sector, the company is pioneering the sustainable production of insect protein, aiming for €62 million in annual revenue by 2030.
Global learning and talent development provider Hemsley Fraser has emphasised the urgent need for business leaders to equip their workforce with stronger “human skills” to thrive in a rapidly evolving work environment shaped by AI and other technologies.
Up to one-third of people in the UK suffer from IBS, and that includes entrepreneurs and startup founders too. While it might not be a widely discussed topic in business, it’s an important one and can make running a startup more difficult.
A study by GRiD, the group risk sector body, has revealed that work-related stress and anxiety has become the leading health concern for most generational employee groups, except Gen X. This marks a shift from 2023, when financial worries topped the list for Gens X, Y (Millennials), and Z, and similarly in 2022 for Millennials and Gen Z.
AI Transform, the UK AI conference specifically aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is being held at The Slate in Coventry on 23rd October 2024. The event will bring together industry leaders, AI experts, and forward-thinking SME decision-makers to explore the transformative potential of AI for small businesses.
Gaia Learning, an online education provider, has achieved its largest funding milestone yet, securing £550,000 in venture capital. This significant investment will enable the company to expand its support for neurodivergent children across the UK.
Heronic Technologies, an AI accelerator architecture specialist and spinout from Imperial College London, has been selected for commercial and technical discussions with ROHM Semiconductor, one of Japan’s leading electronics firms.
Tracxn, a SaaS-driven global market intelligence platform, has published its latest Geo Quarterly Report: UAE Tech Q3 2024. Drawing from its extensive database, the report offers a snapshot of the tech funding landscape in the UAE.
London Sport, a charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Londoners through increased access to sport and physical activity, has announced a strategic partnership with Satisfi Labs, an AI-driven conversational experience platform. Through this collaboration, Satisfi Labs will serve as the official conversational AI partner for London Sport, supporting over 3,000 organisations in making sport and physical activity more accessible to the public.
2024 has seen our adtech startup scale at +80%, from expanding our team, gaining market share and launching new products. Because your company culture should always be who you are as a business – rather than what you aspire to be, scaling at this speed means that your core culture becomes more essential than ever.
Perlego, the subscription-based digital library offering unlimited access to academic content, has raised $20 million in a funding round led by former Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy. ITHAKA, the organisation behind JSTOR, also joined the round alongside investors such as MediaHuis, Raine, KPN Ventures, and the founders of Kahoot, bringing Perlego’s total funding to $75 million.
As employees increasingly prioritise stability and wellbeing in their careers, UK employers must adapt their employee value proposition (EVP) to focus more on health, safety, and wellbeing to attract and retain top talent.
At the Beyond_ event, Spain’s PLD Space revealed its strategic roadmap, commemorating the first anniversary of its MIURA 1 launch success. The company provided updates on its MIURA 5 programme, highlighting notable advancements. PLD Space confirmed it is on track to hit major milestones and aims to kick off its launch campaign by late 2025.
Building Radar, a software platform transforming sales workflows in the construction industry, has secured $7.2 million in new investment, led by Socii Capital. This funding will fuel the company’s continued AI-driven product development and help expand its market reach.
In the competitive landscape of startups, the ability to build and manage a strong team is crucial for success. 23% of startups fail due to issues related to team dynamics, making it one of the top three reasons for startup failure.
A new report from EY has raised concerns about the future of the UK’s female-led SuperScaled companies, which contributed £7 billion to the national economy in 2022. The study warns that without stronger support for the next generation of women entrepreneurs, this significant economic impact could diminish.
Registration is now open for Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), the annual event for the audiovisual and systems integration industry. Set to take place from 4th to 7th February at Fira de Barcelona Gran Vía, ISE 2025 promises an exhilarating showcase with new features, enhanced accessibility, and a fresh focus on innovative content. A highlight of this year’s event is the debut of Hall 8.1, easily accessed via the North Entrance, designed to streamline the attendee experience.
