Through my role at our agency Nonsense, and outside of Nonsense in my capacity as an occasional mentor, and investor in numerous creative startups spanning industries from homeware to health & wellness to apparel brands and podcasting, I’ve watched countless businesses scale. More often than not, we see founders wearing many hats, taking on a multitude of responsibilities.
On September 3rd and 4th, São Paulo will host the second edition of the IoT Solutions Congress Brazil. Organised by iCities, a pioneering hub for smart cities, with the support of the São Paulo City Hall and under the endorsement of Fira Barcelona, the event reinforces Brazil’s position as an emerging global centre for discussions on the Internet of Things (IoT), connectivity and digital transformation.
NEXUS, the UK-based innovation hub supporting high-growth founders in the creative, digital, and tech sectors, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with S-Tron, China’s leading innovation event platform. The agreement formalises a strategic partnership to enhance cross-border collaboration between the UK and Chinese startup ecosystems.
As South Africa marks the beginning of Women’s Month this August, WomenIN proudly launches a dedicated, multi-sectoral campaign designed to spotlight the everyday advocacy required to shift the narrative around women’s empowerment. While Women’s Month may be a moment of national focus, WomenIN champions the belief that true empowerment is not confined to a single month – it’s a daily, ongoing commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and change.
Being young in an industry doesn’t mean you should focus on being disruptive.
Skyrora, the British rocket and space technology company, has been granted a launch operator licence from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The licence approval puts Skyrora on course to launch its SkyLark L suborbital vehicle from British soil and, in doing so, will become the first British company to manufacture and launch a rocket into space from the UK.
Resilience Media, the security-first media platform dedicated to NATO’s defence tech sector, has secured a significant seed investment from a group of leading mission-aligned investors as it reveals a line up of former TechCrunch journalists. The investors are from the UK, the US, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, and Poland.
Hytro, the UK-based performance brand behind the world’s first wearable Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) product, has announced new backing from sports and human performance investors Joyned Capital and Skin In The Game. The investment accelerates Hytro’s expansion plans in elite sport and human performance, and strengthens its global leadership in recovery technology.
Whilst the industry debates whether blockchain will replace traditional financial infrastructure, smart companies are already building bridges between two worlds.
Destinus Group has announced it has signed an agreement to acquire Daedalean, an aviation AI solution company, for CHF 180 million ($225 million) in a combined cash-and-stock transaction.
AND Digital, the international tech consultancy, has partnered with the team at Google Digital Garage to deliver a new suite of trainer-led courses for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to grow their AI and digital skills to stay ahead in the digital market.
QuamCore, a deeptech startup tackling quantum computing’s hardest scalability challenges, announced a $26 million Series A, bringing total funding to $35 million. The round was led by Sentinel Global, with participation from Arkin Capital, as well as existing investors Viola Ventures, Earth & Beyond Ventures, Surround Ventures, Rhodium, and Quantum Leap. The Israel Innovation Authority contributed a $4 million non-dilutive grant.
Quantum computing startups are taking over the world of deeptech as the technology becomes more viable, investment surges, and breakthroughs are multiplying. The United Nations even crowned 2025 as the ‘International Year of Quantum Science and Technology’, making 100 years since the birth of quantum mechanics.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has significantly increased its IT spending, investing nearly £5 million in laptops, phones, and tablets over the past two years. This investment is a key part of DSIT’s strategy to scale up internal digital capabilities and empower its workforce, supporting the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in technology and artificial intelligence.
Flipdish, the all-in-one digital ordering and management platform for hospitality, has announced its ongoing partnership with fellow Irish startup Manna Air Delivery, an advanced drone delivery company.
New research reveals US President Trump’s tariffs have shrunk exporting appetite for over half of UK SME leaders.
These days, gifting really matters. Whether it’s for employees, clients, customer service wins, or branded merch, it plays a big role in how your business is seen. But the costs can add up quickly, especially if you’re a startup trying to make a big impression on a small budget. The good news is that with the right approach, you don’t need to spend a lot to create meaningful impact.
At surface level, your average Taylor Swift fan listens to her new music, catches a tour date if lucky, and owns some merch.
The UK remains one of the most attractive launchpads for international tech startups and scaleups. With a mature tech ecosystem, high media visibility, and access to capital, it’s little wonder that companies from across Europe, the US, and beyond have it on their roadmap. Yet while the opportunity might be significant, so too are the risks of your launch missing the mark.
In the early days of a startup, hiring feels like building the plane mid-flight. You need people, fast. But not just any people.
