For small business owners, 2020 was all about adaptability. You adapted the way you do business, the way your team operates, the way you offer support to clients and employees. A lot was asked of you, but the old answers no longer applied. We learned a lot in 2020, but what’s next? And how can we get ready for the twists and turns that lie ahead? Great HR and remote working practices will be key to being a successful employer in 2021 and beyond.
TDK Ventures, the investment arm of TDK, invests in early stage hard-tech entrepreneurs from all around the world to help accelerate their dreams and find solutions for the world’s difficult problems. For this issue’s Startups Launchpad feature, we caught up with TDK Ventures, Managing Director, Nicolas Sauvage to find out more.
If you’re an avid watcher of sport, like I am, you’ll know that there has been great strides made over the last few years regarding the integration of data and technology – whether it be the ongoing debate of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football, to the humble sports watch that tracks your steps and distance whilst running.
This is arguably one of the toughest times to run a small business. The FSB this month published figures that suggest that nearly 5% of UK small companies expect to be forced to close within 12 months, the largest proportion in the history of the Small Business Index. If accurate it would mean that 295,000 companies will shut down this year. How can you be sure that you’re not part of this statistic?
As someone who has sustained their fair share of sporting injuries over the years, I certainly could have done with the Running Pod Pro (RPP) wearable device from PhysiGo, which has the ability to analyse my run and provide actionable insights to improve running form, and crucially, prevent injury. We caught up with CEO and Co-founder, Luke Stephen-Perrett to find out more.
Evidence has shown that consumers trust their energy supplier about as much as they do city bankers or politicians – a damning indictment for the industry. However, in this issue’s Founder Focus feature, we speak to Simon Oscroft, Founder of energy supplier So Energy, who has dared to challenge the status-quo and whose company uses the latest technology to operate as efficiently as possible, keep costs to a minimum and pass those savings onto customers.
Midlands based entrepreneur, John Whitbread, launched The Spotted App back in January 2020 to allow businesses to connect with consumers without having to rely on social media alone or the interference of predictive algorithms. Now, he wants to give back to the businesses across the UK by offering a free, life-long membership 10,000 businesses when they sign-up.
Insurtech startup, Indeez has launched #CoviSure, a COVID-19 financial protection product for independent workers, in partnership with the global insurance company Chubb. Platforms engaging independent workers and small business entrepreneurs, can help them to obtain financial protection against some of the impacts of a COVID-19 infection.
International founders can now submit their applications for the Future Hamburg Award conferred by the City of Hamburg. With this startup award, Germany’s economic hub aims to support innovative solutions for the city of tomorrow. Innovative startups from around the world are invited to submit their projects until 31st March 2021 here.
Office relocations are necessary in many situations. You might be outgrowing the current office, or you may need to downsize your office after laying off staff so that you can afford to remain in business. Moving from one location to another may be necessary to better serve your customers or your top clients.
E-days, the absence intelligence company revolutionising the way companies handle absence, has announced that they have been asked to join this year’s cohort for Tech Nation’s Upscale 6.0 programme. Over the next 6 months E-days will be coached by some of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs and experts.








