Turning point as more SMEs unlock AI

Over a third of SMEs (35%) say they are actively using AI technology, up from 25% in 2024 – according to research by the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Intuit, the global financial technology platform.

Super6 raises £1.1M breaking new ground in energy storage

UK-based startup, Super6, raises £1.1 million to unlock one of the last foundational technologies of the new global energy system

Revive ME to Spotlight the Future of Healthy Longevity in Abu Dhabi This November

Abu Dhabi is set to host the Middle East’s first-of-its-kind conference and exhibition dedicated to longevity science, biotechnology, regenerative medicine, ultra-personalised wellness, and AI-powered healthcare innovation, Revive ME. Taking place on 26 – 27 November 2025 at Beach Rotana, Abu Dhabi, this transformative event will bring together global pioneers, scientific leaders, and healthcare futurists, positioning the UAE capital as an emerging global hub for the longevity and healthtech revolution.

1 in 5 Large UK Businesses Hit by AI and Deepfake Attacks

Artificial intelligence is rewriting the rules of cybersecurity – and deepfakes are fast becoming one of the most disruptive threats.

DRUID AI Raises $31 Million Series C to Accelerate Agentic AI Platform Growth

DRUID AI announced it has secured $31 million in Series C financing to advance the global expansion of its enterprise-ready agentic AI platform under the leadership of its new CEO, Joseph Kim. The strategic investment, which will advance DRUID AI’s mission to empower companies to create, manage, and orchestrate conversational AI agents, was led by Cipio Partners, with participation from TQ Ventures, Karma Ventures, Smedvig, and Hoxton Ventures.

Brand Advocacy platform, Duel, raises $16M in Series A

Duel, the leading Brand Advocacy platform helping leading retail brands including Lush, ELEMIS, Victoria’s Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch grow through their own fan and creator communities instead of traditional advertising, has raised $16 million in a Series A round. The funding was co-led by Molten Ventures and Bright Pixel, alongside existing investor Peter Bauer, founder of Mimecast.

Calling Tech Startups with Global Ambition: Entries Now Open for the 4YFN26 Awards

The 4YFN Awards are back – and if you’re building something bold in digital tech, we want to hear from you.

The Saturday Effect: What a Jersey Beach Town Taught Me About Sustainable Performance

On Long Beach Island, New Jersey, something fascinating happens every Saturday. It’s turnover day. Rental homes flip. People rush in with fresh excitement, or out, determined to make the most of their final moments. It’s a whirlwind of energy, anticipation, and urgency.

Duel sees power in creator communities, raises $16m

Duel, the Brand Advocacy platform helping retail brands including Lush, ELEMIS, Victoria’s Secret, and Abercrombie & Fitch, has raised $16 milion in a Series A round.

Arcade receives investment from Lumina Media

Arcade, the management company behind The Sidemen, announced a seven-figure strategic investment from talent- and IP-led group Lumina Media.

Sunhat raises €9.2 million in Series A

Sunhat, the startup helping enterprises automatically validate and share ESG and vital non-financial data, announced €9.2 million in Series A funding.

Freemium vs. free trial: which is best for your startup?

How you introduce your product to the market can shape your startup’s growth trajectory. Freemium and free trial models are two of the most popular approaches allowing businesses to attract users and encourage full adoption.

Revyve secures €24M funding to boost egg-replacing yeast proteins

Dutch foodtech scale-up Revyve has raised nearly €24 million in Series B financing, bringing its total capital raised to more than €40 million. The investment will accelerate the company’s commercial rollout of functional yeast proteins designed to replace eggs and additives in mainstream food categories.

Sunhat raises €9.2M Series A to solve the “Proof Gap” for enterprises

Sunhat announces €9.2 million in Series A funding. The round was led by CommerzVentures, with participation from existing investors Capnamic, EnBW New Ventures, xdeck, and WEPA Ventures.

SME leaders turn to AI to shape employee benefits strategy – but still feel lost

A new report from Lockton ‘From gut-feel to data-driven: Overcoming blind spots in SME benefits strategy’, reveals that seven out of 10 (69%) of SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) leaders are now using AI tools like ChatGPT to shape their employee benefits strategy.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advises Tide following its Series C funding round

Global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has advised Tide on its $120 million Series C follow-on funding round led by TPG and The Apax Digital Partners.

Futurail raises €7.5M to bring autonomous trains on track

Futurail has  announced the closing of a seed round, bringing total funding to €7.5 million. The round was co-led by Asterion Ventures (Paris) and Leap435 (Munich), joined by EIT Urban Mobility and US investors Zero Infinity Partners and Heroic Ventures.

Can ethical fintech actually make money? A gaming founder’s contrarian bet

Nick Perrett spent years building gaming mechanics before losing track of his own pensions – an expensive wake-up call that led him to found Prosper. His contrarian view: ethical fintech isn’t just morally right, it’s more profitable long-term – and founders who understand this will build the next generation of financial giants.

Scindo raises £4 million to accelerate sustainable ingredients platform

Scindo, a UK-based startup developing a data-rich AI platform to discover and design next-generation enzymes, has raised £4 million in funding co-led by Kadmos Capital and Clay Capital, with participation from PINC, the venture arm of international food and beverage company Paulig, and existing investors Synbioven, AgFunder, SOSV, Farvatn Venture and Savantus Ventures. The investment will accelerate Scindo’s mission to enable bio-based ingredients and sustainable chemistry across multiple high-value sectors.

DATE to spotlight Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital transformation at Riyadh’s global tech summit

Riyadh will host the KSA edition of DATE (Digital Acceleration & Transformation Expo) on 8-9 December at JW Marriott, bringing together 2,000+ government officials, investors, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world.