Three quarters of businesses not transparent about paternity rights

New research, commissioned by meeting provider, PowWowNow has revealed only a quarter (25.9%) of companies provided information about Shared Parental Leave (SPL) without it being requested first, suggesting a lack of transparency around the existence of the initiative is preventing its uptake.

New global marketplace for high end furniture to launch Spring 2021

Founder of early digital success story, Online Galleries, and former Managing Director of 1stdibs’ international region, Carmine Bruno has announced his new venture: an international marketplace that will set a new standard for dealing antiques and furniture online.

London Tech Week launches new ‘12 Clusters of Tech’ programme

London Tech Week has announced plans to definitively map the UK tech scene highlighting and promoting the best businesses, innovators and thinkers operating across the country.

Innovations and ventures awarded €60m from EIT Crisis Response Initiative

As part of the ‘Pandemic Response Projects’, 62 new innovation projects bringing together 212 partners from 25 countries are developing solutions directly tackling COVID-19 related challenges. The ‘Venture Support Instrument’ is supporting 145 startups, scale-ups and SMEs from 23 countries that have been enormously impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Making hydration easy
This article is part 4 of 4 in the series Part of the Nova community

Hydration and fluids are argubaly not spoken about enough, and can be really serious issues relating to humans. Aquarate has been designed and founded by Rebecca Taylor, to redefine the way fluid balance is monitored within care to reduce hydration related illness and improve wellbeing.

Traditional retail is dead…

It’s been a tough year for many sectors, and perhaps none more so than retail businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have accelerated what many considered inevitable: the move away from traditional, physical store shopping to online-only models. With once High Street stalwarts such as Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and Harrods announcing closures and job losses, it seems that the retail sector is about to undergo a huge shake-up – one where businesses will need to be innovative to survive. We caught up with The Shirt Society, a Manchester-based startup, which is the brainchild of local businessman Matt Bird, and has already been backed by renowned tech entrepreneur Scott Fletcher MBE.

This is us!

The only virtual conference you need to attend surrounding Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace in 2020, the ‘This Is Us Virtual Conference’ is fast approcahing, taking place 20-21st October. We caught up with Meena Chander, founder of the conference.

Financing a startup free from the risks of a personal guarantee

A rise in startups born during the pandemic is hugely positive but also not surprising. We’ve had more time to think and do and explore new avenues, particularly where existing business models or employment have ceased to exist. Necessity truly is the mother of invention. But while the pandemic has created new opportunities, the lending environment for startups looks set to be challenging.

Breaking the taboos around femtech
Breaking the taboos around femtech

As we carry on focusing on female founders and women in tech, we decided to catch up with Kristy Chong, CEO & Founder of Modibodi, a femtech startup that provides people of all ages and body types all around the world with access to reusable and sustainable underwear, swimwear, active wear and maternity wear.

Nine startups join Digital Catapult’s 5G Testbed Accelerator Programme

Nine creative industries startups and scaleups have joined Digital Catapult’s flagship 5G Testbed Accelerator programme. The latest programme cohort is drawn from across the UK’s creative sector, with content focusing on music, theatre, and immersive storytelling taking centre stage.

How to diversify your startup during a crisis

Businesses, whether they’re established, starting up or looking to grow, all have one thing in common. The need to be agile and aware. And, if the pandemic has taught us anything it’s that businesses can adapt to a changing market and they can do it very quickly.

Healthcare scale-up’s location tech chosen to transform service lines

UK healthcare scale-up, Navenio has announced that the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust will be using its location-based AI platform to support portering teams and transform how the service is delivered.

The value of customer loyalty at times of crisis

COVID-19 has brought about sweeping changes across all industries. Whether for better or worse, these changes are forcing a reset, providing an opportunity for businesses to emerge in a much stronger position.

Teach children entrepreneurship to future proof workforce

Is the education system equipping young people with the skills to succeed in a fast changing labour market? A new report from The Entrepreneurs Network argues that as children return to schools after lockdown, students as young as eleven should have the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship in order to develop the skills and mindset necessary to prosper in the modern economy.

Networking opportunities boosted with eco-friendly business cards

BeCard, a digital and ecological alternative to paper business cards, has been launched. Using Smartphone technology, the BeCard app makes it much easier and less time consuming for eco-savvy, networkers to capture and prioritise the business details of their newly won contacts.

Startups must re-evaluate trading horizons to succeed post-COVID

A new study, commissioned by business bank Allica Bank, urges small businesses to re-evaluate their trading horizons, following the establishment of a clear link between overseas trade and SME performance.

New book on how to master PR as a startup or scale-up launched

Matias Rodsevich is proud to announce the official global launch of his book ‘The PR Paradox – How to Master PR as a Startup or Scale-up’, the first of its kind book solely focused on doing PR as a startup, which will take place on the 10th September 2020.

The winners of the 2020 Oslo Business for Peace Award

The Business for Peace Foundation has announced the 2020 Oslo Business for Peace Award winners. The Honourees are: Marc Benioff, Founder, Chair and CEO of Salesforce; James Mwangi, Chairman and CEO of Equity Group Holdings and Felicitas ‘Joji’ Bautista Pantoja, Co-founder and CEO of Coffee for Peace.

The technology built to help adapt businesses

These days, most businesses rely on just a few short, daily peaks to bring in most of their money. In order to do that, customer service needs to be top-notch. This starts with having great people and enough of them on the floor when things pick up. That is where Stint comes in, it helps companies to work smarter by connecting students with high street and hospitality businesses needing to fill shifts at peak times. We caught up with the two co-founders and learnt some more about the startup! 

Craft yourself a new direction

With lockdown forcing many people into furlough or redundancy, the thought of turning a personal passion into a startup has never been more tempting. But is this the right time or the right environment? And how do you turn a passion project into a viable business?