Anna Wood

Anna Wood is the Editor of Startups Magazine. She joined the team in June 2023 as Deputy Editor, and has since been promoted to Editor of the publication. When it comes to the startup sector, Anna has a keen interest in spacetech, biotech, medtech, anything that flies, and shining a light on the gender and diversity funding gap. Outside of work hours, you can find Anna tucking into a book, a nice meal, and playing her Switch!

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Legal AI startup Luminance set to illuminate European markets

Originating in Cambridge, UK, Luminance was conceived by a team of mathematicians and AI experts who recognised the immense potential of AI in transforming the legal industry’s approach to the vast amounts of documentation and data involved in legal work.

Oxford University Innovation highlights research commercialisation breakthroughs

Oxford University Innovation (OUI), the technology transfer office of the University of Oxford, has launched its 2024 report Shaping the Future: Oxford’s Innovation Impact, showing it raised millions of pounds to fund innovative research and venture creation, filed scores of new patents and created more than 15 new companies over the past 12 months.

Paloma Health raises £2M to tackle NHS waiting lists for autism assessments

Paloma Health, the AI-enabled healthtech startup reducing wait times for access to critical NHS health services, has raised £2 million in a pre-seed round. The round was led by Triple Point Ventures, with co-investors Heal Capital and expert angels, including Pam Garside, Co-Chair Cambridge Health Network, and James Allgrove, ex-Stripe. The funding will support the roll-out of Paloma Health’s first NHS service providing access to children and young people’s autism assessments in under four weeks.

Entrepreneurs can now carry their HR team in their pocket with FresHR

What do business owners keep in their pockets? Keys? Phone? Handkerchief? What about their HR team? Probably not but that’s about to change. Established HR consultants Cream HR have created a new resource that enables owners of SME’s  (there are 5.51 million in the UK) to have their HR questions answered from their phone with their new product FresHR.

Brevel implements first-of-a-kind model for its microalgae protein

Microalgae protein innovator Brevel has successfully implemented the FOAK (First-Of-A-Kind) strategy method by building its first plant for proprietary industrial-scale fermenters for microalgae protein. The company has completed construction of its FOAK facility and already secured two commercial agreements with leading food & beverage companies.

MicroHarvest accelerates pace to achieve multiple kiloton production target

MicroHarvest, a company in sustainable microbial protein, has achieved a key milestone by demonstrating an ability to scale its production process to 10 tonnes per day in a single vessel, representing a ten-fold increase over its current capacity.

SME lender iwoca secures new £200M funding led by Citi

iwoca, one of Europe’s largest SME lenders, has announced a new £200 million package of debt funding from Citi and Waterfall Asset Management and doubles its SME loan offer ceiling to £1 million.

DFDS decarbonises chilled distribution with Sunswap

Sunswap, a UK cleantech startup decarbonising cold chain logistics, has announced that transportation services business, DFDS, has ordered the first 10 of its zero-emission ‘Endurance’ transport refrigeration units (TRUs).

Half of managers with children consider quitting over ‘parent guilt’

For half of managers with children, balancing their job with family life has become an overwhelming challenge, leaving many to feel like they’re failing both at home and at work, new research from Avilio has found.

AXA – Global Healthcare launches Global Health Adapt for SMEs with global teams

AXA – Global Healthcare has announced the launch of its newest and most customisable product to date, Global Health Adapt, designed to meet the needs of SMEs with a globally based workforce. The product will be available for all new business from the beginning of January 2025.

SMEs not threatened by AI; anticipate major impact on growth

BGF, one of the largest and most experienced investors in the UK and Ireland, recently surveyed business leaders across its 400-company investment portfolio to assess the impact of AI on SMEs.

Introducing cocreatd: venture studio investing in next generation marketing companies

cocreatd is a a new venture studio, designed to back big ideas in the marketing industry and bring them to life. Founded by Oliver Yonchev, a former business partner of Steven Bartlett – cocreatd is Yonchev’s first venture since exiting Flight Group, alongside co-founders James Lawson Baker, Paul Stevens, and Simon Whitaker.

Cogna raises $15M Series A to tackle the productivity crisis

Precision solutions provider Cogna, which uses AI-powered software development to address complex business inefficiencies across critical industries, has raised $15 million in series A funding.

Cybersecurity experts say AI benefits criminals more than defenders

A staggering 89% of UK cybersecurity professionals believe that AI is more beneficial to cybercriminals than to defenders, according to the latest State of the Security Profession report from the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec). With only 54% stating that AI will aid defenders more than attackers, this highlights a growing concern within the industry.

Venture Builder Incubator 5.0 launches

Scotland’s expanded Venture Builder Incubator (VBI) 5.0 has launched, supporting 34 entrepreneurs – 12 more than last year – from UK universities to grow and develop their businesses and skills.

IT professionals blame the ‘skills gap’ for new hire struggles

A notable 41% of IT professionals are struggling to hire qualified candidates due to a ‘significant’ skills gap in the industry, with only 12% reportedly unaffected by this gap. That’s according to new data from SolarWinds, a provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software.

Forefront RF secures £16M to power next-gen connectivity solutions

Forefront RF, a fabless semiconductor company based in Cambridge, UK, announced the closure of its £16 million Series A funding round, backed by existing investors BGF and Foresight Group, alongside new VC partners, Octopus Ventures, and Cambridge Innovation Capital. This infusion of capital supports Forefront RF’s mission to redefine how mobile devices manage complex RF environments, expanding possibilities for connected devices worldwide.

Ex-Microsoft launches “Digital Horse” solution to address $300Bn equestrian industry

Smart Horse Technologies BV announces Equestic Coach-Copilot, a first-of-its kind AI-powered solution, that dramatically improves performance, coaching, and safety for both riders and horses. 

Solivus delivers major UK solar installation at Farnborough Airport

Solivus, a UK provider of lightweight solar installations for commercial applications, has designed and delivered a £2 million solar installation to Farnborough Airport, taking it one step closer to its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030.

Solivus paired with Modulaire Group as part of Better Futures Net Zero Innovation Challenge

Lightweight solar company Solivus has announced it has been paired with modular services and infrastructure giant Modulaire Group as part of the Mayor of London’s Better Futures Net Zero Innovation Challenge.