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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!












