Metro Bank is looking for fintech startups for new accelerator programme

Metro Bank has just launched a startup accelerator programme in partnership with corporate innovation specialists, L Marks with the aim of finding innovative solutions to help the bank support its customers and local businesses.

New Cambridge accelerator for deeptech startups launches with ML investments

Deeptech Labs (DTL), a new post-seed accelerator aimed at deep technology (deeptech) startups, has been founded in Cambridge to bring the benefits of its innovation ecosystem to post-Seed deeptech companies from the UK and Europe.

Funding enables tech startup to support hospitality sector’s COVID recovery

VenueScanner has secured a $1.5m funding round led by Rianta Capital and ACF Investors. Launched to enable individuals, businesses and event organisers to find better and more affordable venues, it is helping undiscovered and independent venues reimagine how they use their space and fill their down-time.

Meet the Founder of Legal Tech Startup

“Build a product to scratch your own itch” says entrepreneur Guy Stern after founding his own legal technology solution, Legal Connection, to improve communication and offer an ‘umbrella platform’ for the legal industry.

Sustainable grocery startup secures funding to further develop tech platform

The Modern Milkman, a fast-growing sustainable grocery startup that offers doorstep grocery delivery in return and reuse packaging without single-use plastics, has announced the closing of a funding round led by global venture capital and private equity firm Insight Partners. Existing investors ETF Partners and Serial Investor Simon Murphy also participated in the round.

Remote announces exponential growth in 2021 following investment last year

Remote, the HR technology platform for international payroll, benefits and compliance, has announced exponential growth since its $35m Series A funding in November 2020, including substantial increases across customers, employees, country availability and new product offerings.

1 in 3 small businesses losing customers to maintain COVID-secure workplaces

New research from small business lender, iwoca, suggests that although the initial easing of restrictions has helped recovery for some SMEs, around a third are still sacrificing customer numbers with existing COVID restrictions in place.

New campaign calls for better access to investment for female entrepreneurs

Members of the UK business community have signed an open letter asking the Government to extend its funding deadlines for startups in the wake of the pandemic.

Will the pandemic have an impact on the way businesses support health and wellbeing of staff?

Nearly three quarters of employers (73%) believe the pandemic will mean long-term changes in the way they support the health and wellbeing of staff, according to research undertaken on behalf of GRiD, the industry body for the group risk protection sector.

VC funding – not a silver bullet

Tech Nation’s ‘The future UK tech built’ 2021 report, published earlier this year, revealed that the UK currently sits third in the world for venture capital (VC) investment in tech companies, behind only China and the US, with $15bn pledged last year. Great news for the UK’s emerging businesses, right? Well, Simon Philips, CEO of ScaleUp Capital, tells a different story.

Legal tech startup launches in UK to digitise SMEs’ legal needs

PocketLaw, the Swedish legal tech solution providing a one-stop shop for businesses’ legal needs, has announced that it has launched in the UK.

More technology for remote working is key to the future of the office

A survey of real estate and IT professionals across a range of industries has revealed that better remote working technology is perceived to be twice as important as workplace testing.

Pitch Fest to help small and medium-sized businesses grow internationally

Alibaba Group’s Tmall Global has announced the launch of the UK and Ireland edition of ‘Go Global 11.11 Pitch Fest’, a virtual event designed to help international brands grow their businesses globally. Following the success of Pitch Fest 2020 in the US, the programme will be opened up to British and Irish brands looking to find success in China.

Clim8 Launches Crowdfunding Round and Smashes Target by 168%

Clim8 Invest (Clim8) launched its crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube on Tuesday and has already smashed its target by 168%, raising £1.26m by the end of Day 1. The latest round is set to fuel its product roadmap and team.

Fast Growth Icons London Returns for 6th Year

The invitation-only network for Founders and CEOs of the most successful tech businesses, Fast Growth Icons, has announced the return of its physical London event, taking place on 5th-6th July 2021.

45% of businesses plan to hire new tech staff in coming 12 months

The pandemic has inspired long-term digital transformation projects, with UK businesses set to increase IT spending and hiring in the year ahead, new research from Studio Graphene has revealed.

Santander X Global Challenge aims to support SME’s digital transition

Banco Santander (through Santander Universities) and Oxentia Foundation are launching the Santander X Global Challenge | Helping Businesses Prosper for entrepreneurs with innovative, scalable solutions to help SMEs – the main driver of economic growth, job creation and social unity – digitalise and be more efficient.

Why startup survival depends on embracing a digital future

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses of all shape and size to adapt, adjust and pivot in response to the ‘new normal’. Whilst larger businesses – who suffer from being less nimble than their startup counterparts – have faced unique difficulties, startups – who lack the cash reserves and structure of larger businesses – have also faced their own challenges. Many startups have had to fundamentally reconsider their business models and how they operate as a result.

Nature Vs Nurture

In anthropology, psychology, and psychiatry, one of the theories that is often discussed relates to whether certain actions and activities are the result of nature or nurture. In so many ways, this ‘nature Vs Nurture’ question is also the same in business, and how it affects the next steps taken by any business – especially early stage ones that are growing.

Five Patterns of Work-From-Home Experiences

Last year, all types of people with different jobs were thrust into a new, unfamiliar place of business, which also happened to be their home. While we have all become used to the diverse types of personalities you find in an office, we have all had to adapt to different styles of and needs for working from home.