HMRC’s recently-released annual Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) statistics made for interesting reading. While the 2019/2020 numbers don’t offer a full account of Covid-19’s impact on the market, funding from EIS rose to £1.905bn – up from £1.867bn in 2018/2019 – with SEIS funding marginally down, from £171m in 2018/2019 to £170m in 2019/2020. Combined, EIS and SEIS have now helped over 45,000 startups receive over £25bn in funding. A testament not only to the two schemes, but to the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit.
As the world emerges from a period of pandemic-induced uncertainty, there has never been a better time for entrepreneurs to take their chance to innovate.
Grover has announced the launch of its first financial services product – the Grover Card – in a move to ramp up efforts to democratise access to tech while tackling e-waste.
Platform showcasing innovative financial products that are directly aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been launched at COP26.
Europe’s most creative new pet care businesses have been invited to partner with Purina for the latest edition of its landmark innovation accelerator. Powered by the Purina Accelerator Lab, Unleashed is now inviting applications for its third consecutive year.
Referencing service provider Vouch has increased their workforce by 46% in the last six months, despite uncertainty within the sector triggered by the pandemic. The company now employs 35 people, up from 24 back in March, with the new hires ranging from technology development to referencing and sales.
Impact Central is a six month accelerator and mentor programme for impact-driven startups focused on rebuilding our society and environment.
Technology incubator SETsquared Bristol, led by the University of Bristol, is relaunching its Breakthrough Bursary for the third year, continuing its commitment to promoting inclusion and equal opportunities in tech.
In many ways, we actually have to thank the pandemic for highlighting just how unprepared our economies were to tackle a crisis. It acted as a catalyst for change across industry sectors, including higher and further education, that had been slow to embrace digital transformation and stand up to disruption.
Kazakhstan is still a relatively young country, sometimes referred to as ’30 years young’ as it is about to celebrate 30 years of independence, but it has already established a successful innovation ecosystem with the support of various government Ministries and often as a result of its First President’s initiatives.
Technology Venture Capitalist’s have invested a record £20bn into British startups this year, and with economic recovery at the front of everyone’s mind, there is, surprisingly, a remarkable level of optimism emerging from the embers of the pandemic.
There are many reason for people to require storage for their items. Whether you’re moving house, needing somewhere to store your shop’s extra stock, or just want somewhere to put valuable and sentimental items when you don’t have room at home, storage lots can be incredibly helpful. Finding somewhere safe to put your things isn’t always the easiest thing to do though and choosing the right place can feel like a struggle. We’ve put together a short list of the questions you should be asking before committing to a decision on your storage, and why these questions are so important.
The majority of businesses that are looking to scale in any meaningful way will look to raise funding at some point. As well as the other steps already discussed in this series and in my new book, there are two very specific actions that need to be undertaken; valuing your business and embarking on a fundraising campaign.
New Climate Accelerator will start in Cambridge in January 2022, working with start-ups who have innovative solutions for addressing the climate emergency.
Shruti Chawla and Johanna Bolinder are on a mission. As Head of Marketing and Head of Health and Sustainability at Spoon Guru, they are part of the startups quest to make food shopping smarter and easier for everyone.
The past 18 months have been challenging but, as some might say, through adversity comes opportunity. The pandemic has given many people the chance to reconsider their position – what they’re doing and where they want to go – so it comes as no surprise that 2020 saw a record number of startups.
Freedom business summit 2021, the global summit for those looking for ways to take their freedom back, mitigate geopolitical risks, protect their wealth and build a location independent lifestyle is returning this November.
Building on the success of the Virtual Interiors Event in February, which attracted almost 4,000 commercial interiors professionals from 83 countries, and a thought leadership festival in September, which saw over 800 ticket registrations, a second VI:INSIGHTS is due to take place 6th – 10th December.
Europe’s largest business show is back for 2021, returning to the ExCeL London on the 24th and 25th November, with the launch of co-located shows including Working From Home Live and Retrain Expo. Helping 25,000 SMEs and startups to grow and develop, the 43rd edition of The Business Show will reveal the secrets of the business adaption, innovation and survival as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
