Ai Everything MEA 2026 Debuts in Egypt, Signaling Regional AI Leadership

Egypt is accelerating its leadership in artificial intelligence across the African continent and beyond, backed by a national roadmap for AI-driven transformation. Ranked among the top 10 countries globally in AI and Machine Learning – and the only African nation in that tier, according to the 2024 GBS World Competitiveness Index – Egypt is embedding AI across vital sectors under its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030).

What early-stage founders should know about voice tech before launching

Here’s the thing: voice-enabled building is different from attaching a mic to your app. It’s a stack, a series of product choices, and a series of legal requirements that feel inconsequential in a prototype and acutely real the moment you receive your first inbound call. When done right, voice accelerates time-to-value for users, opens up accessibility, and expands your funnel. If you hurry, you send lag, mishear, and trust issues that are difficult to overcome.

Bang & Olufsen and BREATHE partner to extend product longevity

Disposable tech is out. Bang & Olufsen and BREATHE Battery Technologies are leading the shift towards lasting intelligent design. Together, they are reimagining timeless technology – where performance meets beauty, and longevity and circularity are engineered from the outset.

The EU AI Act one year on: how is it impacting sectors?

One year on from going live, the EU AI Act has moved from concept to reality, forcing businesses, regulators, and innovators alike to confront turning responsible AI into practice. The legislation has set a global benchmark, and its ripple effects are impacting industries, sparking both compliance challenges and new opportunities for competitive advantage.

Exit mindset: leading through scale, sale, or pivot without losing yourself
This article is part 2 of 9 in the series Founder Forward

In the startup world, the dream is often framed as a clean, glossy finish: the exit. The big sale. The headline moment.

The many faces of PR in the post-click era

AI has plunged us into the “post-click” era. Almost overnight SEO feels outdated, and people are flocking to Large Language Models (LLMs) for answers they once would have used a search engine to find. Who stands to benefit? PR.

ZERO launches second crowdfunding campaign

ZERO, the B Corp Certified sustainable money app, has launched its second crowdfunding campaign via the Crowdcube platform following a landmark first six months of operations.

The resignation ripple: how one exit can shake an entire SMB

New research from HiBob, the company behind Bob, the HR platform transforming how organisations operate in the modern world of work, reveals how one resignation at a small or medium sized business (SMB) can destabilise an entire company. 

Why it’s time to break the nebulous cloud of “innovation” in R&D tax claims

Innovation has never been more essential, or more misunderstood. As UK businesses race to stay ahead in a dynamic global economy, they’re under mounting pressure to innovate while justifying every pound spent. In these circumstances, redefining what constitutes research and development (R&D) has become a necessity.

60% of CFOs now leading strategy beyond finance

New research reveals finance leaders are stepping out of the back office and into the boardroom, driving change across recruitment, sustainability, and digital transformation.

The cavalry isn’t coming: what smart small businesses are doing now

The past year has seen small businesses and entrepreneurs face a storm of economic pressures. From rising salaries to skyrocketing energy costs, SMBs are facing a major squeeze. Our recent survey revealed that half of small business owners are concerned that one more major cost increase could force them to close their doors.

EnsiliTech raises £4.5M to enhance medicine formulation and reduce emissions

EnsiliTech has raised its second oversubscribed funding round, securing £4.5 million in Seed funding to improve the way life-saving medicines are stored and transported globally.

Startups need to be more aware of why insurance claims are being rejected
Startups need to be more aware of why insurance claims are being rejected

Like any business, startups are vulnerable to theft. Whether it’s financial fraud, cybercrime, intellectual property (IP), or physical goods. But while recent data shows a sharp rise in theft-related insurance claims, with tool theft claims alone increasing by 54%, many businesses, including startups, aren’t seeing payouts.

Why British startups are failing – and what we can do about it

Whilst the UK prides itself on being a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, a striking number of new business startups are failing.

DARPA taps Q-CTRL for next-gen quantum navigation sensors

Q-CTRL has announced its selection for two awards under DARPA’s Robust Quantum Sensors (RoQS) programme. With this selection, DARPA has awarded Q-CTRL contracts valued at A$38 million ($24.4 million) to augment Q-CTRL’s field-validated quantum sensing technologies for demanding real-world use cases in high-performance military vehicles.

The menopause taboo: how tech can bridge the healthcare gap costing millions

I started Menotracker because of a personal wake-up call. When one of my closest friends was passed over for a promotion simply because her hot flashes during meetings were seen as “unprofessional,” I was shocked. Honestly, I didn’t know much about menopause myself at the time. I had no idea how much it could impact women’s lives and careers.

SME leaders believe personal wellbeing positively impacts business

Three quarters (75%) of SME leaders believe that the better they feel, the more successful their business is, according to findings from American Express’ latest Business Barometer survey.

Seluna launches NHS study to advance paediatric sleep diagnosis

Glasgow-based medtech company Seluna is set to improve the diagnosis and management of childhood sleep disorders following the launch of a major clinical validation study with the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

Hyundai and UNCAGED Innovations partner to develop sustainable leather alternatives for cars

Hyundai CRADLE, Hyundai Motor Group’s global open innovation hub, is entering a partnership with UNCAGED Innovations, the biomaterials company, to create sustainable, animal-free leather for automotive interiors using grain byproducts.

Gen Z is coaching older colleagues to use AI to get ahead in their careers

Gen Z employees are helping older, more senior colleagues get to grips with AI in the workplace, new research has revealed.