Five cutting-edge startups will take centre stage at this year’s TravelTech Show, competing for the coveted title of Trailblazer 2025. From global connectivity and CRM automation to embedded analytics and AI-driven operations, this year’s shortlist is an inspiring showcase of some of the most exciting startups in travel technology.
Spain is solidifying its position as one of Europe’s most vibrant startup ecosystems. According to the 2025 National Tech Companies Report by Ecosistema Startup, the country now has 8,580 active tech companies, a 22% increase from the previous year. Of these, 5,010 are startups, representing a sharp 38% year-on-year growth.
“Thanks to entrepreneurs, Spain is becoming a benchmark in Europe. We are the seventh country in venture capital investment and the fourth in number of operations: figures that reflect that we have created a dynamic ecosystem.” With these words, His Majesty King Felipe VI officially inaugurated South Summit Madrid 2025, the benchmark meeting for the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem worldwide, co-organised with IE University and which this year celebrates its 14th edition at La Nave in Madrid.
Nordic Foodtech VC, an early-stage investor based in the Nordics, has announced the first closing of its second fund at €40 million. The final target size for the fund is €80 million.
Intuit QuickBooks’ latest quarterly Small Business Insights Survey reveals that small and medium businesses across the UK are facing mounting financial pressure, with 57% predicting costs will rise over the next three months and that, of these, 64% are worried about the negative impact on their business.
Kumulus Water, the watertech startup that is transforming air into clean drinking water, has successfully raised €3.1 million in seed funding.
Swiss healthtech company Aeon has closed a €8.2 million seed round, as it builds the world’s most advanced platform for early detection and preventive healthcare. The round was led by London-based VC Concentric, with participation from Calm/Storm Ventures, GoHub Ventures, Kadmos Capital, EWOR, and Swiss super angel investor Daniel Gutenberg, known for backing 12 unicorns, including AirBnB, Facebook, and SumUp.
If a founder’s vision is big enough, their startup is a future FTSE 100 business. For founders working towards a grand goal – that they one day actively want to achieve – they need to be both Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Communications Officer (CCO).
Nim Pancholi, expert speaker and Founder of All About Soft Skills, coaches business leaders and entrepreneurs on their interpersonal and communication skills. With a background in the Pharmaceutical industry dealing with top executives, Nim knows what it takes to communicate effectively in a position of leadership.
The relentless march of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global industrial landscape at an unprecedented pace. This technological wave promises a new era of productivity and efficiency, yet it simultaneously casts a long shadow over the future of work for millions.
Launching and running a business is not easy. With the highpoints also come the challenges. Along with monetary achievements and making a profit, it is also about staying resilient, growing through the journey and creating an impact along the way.
Startups that secure venture capital (VC) funding exclusively from abroad risk devaluing their startup, according to new research by emlyon business school.
British modelling and simulation software company Skyral has announced that it has raised $20 million in a Series A funding round led by European venture capital firm NOIA Capital.
e.l.f. Beauty signed a definitive agreement to acquire rhode, the lifestyle beauty brand founded by Hailey Bieber, in a deal valued at $1 billion.
Fintech is approaching a time of consolidation. During the last decade, growth has been rapid and expansive, spawning new technologies and seemingly endless startups. But while both markets have always been characterised by volatility, various socioeconomic factors have led to an industry slowdown.
The sharp rise in UK consumer-price inflation to 3.5% in April has re-energised cost pressures that never fully dissipated after the pandemic and subsequent global trade shocks. Higher energy contracts, steeper materials costs, and renewed wage demands are converging to erode already-thin operating margins, forcing the country’s 5.5 million small and medium-sized enterprises to revisit their financing playbooks.
In the realm of artificial intelligence, the adage of “garbage in, garbage out” holds more weight than ever before.
AI-powered content creation is changing the world. Companies benefit from rapid development of content based on AI so much that the industry is expected to reach $3.53 billion this year.
Reflex Drive, a deeptech startup from India, has selected power devices from Infineon Technologies for its next-generation motor control solutions for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
COMPUTEX is one of the leading tech shows across the world, and this year saw the 10th anniversary of its startup section, InnoVEX. According to the event, InnoVEX saw its scale grow 12.5% over last year, with 450 startups from 24 countries exhibiting at this year’s event.
