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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Where You At raises £2.5M to enhance nightlife safety

Where You At (WYA), a female-founded app that enhances nightlife safety using indoor mapping and offline mesh technology to help users stay connected in crowded venues, has raised significant funding which has helped it make a huge impact in a short space of time.

INSHUR secures $19M to build global momentum

INSHUR, a global embedded insurance provider for the on-demand economy, has secured $19 million in its latest funding round. This round was led by Viola Growth, with contributions from MS&AD Ventures and existing backers, bringing INSHUR’s total funding to $78.5 million.

UK AI projects stalling: trust and governance issues hinder progress

Qlik has released a new study involving 250 C-suite executives and AI decision makers across the UK. The research highlights key challenges slowing AI progress in the country and offers insights on how to overcome these obstacles.

Startups Magazine’s top startups at Rare Founders Demo Day
Startups Magazine’s top startups at Rare Founders Demo Day

Rare Founders’ second demo day was a huge success, with 100 founders across 14 sectors pitching their innovative startups to an audience of investors. Each startup was allowed a one-minute pitch, with a further three minutes for audience questions.

Invex Ventures acquires fintech infrastructure platform Manigo

Manigo, a fintech infrastructure platform based in London, has been acquired by the established investment firm Invex Ventures, known for its focus on the fintech sector.

Family firms less likely to license patents than non-family firms

New research from emlyon business school and Bocconi University has revealed that family-owned businesses are over 3% less likely to license their patents compared to non-family firms. Instead, these businesses are more inclined to develop their innovations internally, with a 6% higher likelihood of commercialising their products in-house rather than through external licensing.

Half of SMEs haven’t felt benefits of falling inflation

A recent poll commissioned by iwoca, one of Europe’s major lenders to SMEs, revealed that almost half (49%) of small businesses have not seen any benefits from the decrease in inflation this year. The survey, published ahead of the ONS’s upcoming inflation data, highlighted that the cost of running a business remains unmanageable for 50% of the UK’s 5.6 million SMEs.

CFOs embrace AI as essential for finance and fraud prevention

The adoption of AI in corporate finance is advancing rapidly, with 68% of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) now considering it essential for financial reporting.

Top Startups in Manchester 2024

Each year, LinkedIn reveals its Top 20 UK Startups list, alongside highlighting top emerging companies from various cities across the country. In Manchester, the top five startups are distinguished not only for their rapid growth but also for capturing significant attention and developing innovative solutions that are shaping the future of their industries.

Profilr to change job recruitment in the UK service industry

Profilr, a recruitment platform combining the swipe-and-match functionality of dating apps with the professional networking approach of LinkedIn, is gearing up to launch in the UK. Aiming to shake up the recruitment process in the service industry, Profilr promises a seamless experience for both job seekers and employers.

Round Treasury secures $2.1M to simplify treasury management for founders and CFOs

Round Treasury, an all-in-one banking and treasury platform built for founders and CFOs, has secured $2.1 million in a pre-seed funding round. Passion Capital, known for backing Monzo Bank, Tide Banking, and GoCardless, led the round, with additional investment from Tiny VC, Ascension, Samos Investments, and Entrepreneur First.

Workplace wellbeing efforts barely scratching surface of wellbeing crisis

Nearly three-quarters of businesses now provide employee wellbeing programmes, yet 83% of professionals reported experiencing mental health struggles at work within the past year, with over a quarter facing these challenges frequently.

GaiaLens wins FinTech Scotland Innovation Call to enhance greenwashing analytics

FinTech Scotland has revealed the winners of its “Shaping the Future of ESG in Financial Services” initiative, with GaiaLens, a sustainability analytics firm from London, standing out among the successful applicants.

Sparklo boosts sustainable tech with 50M bottles collected in MENA

Sparklo, a global cleantech company, has hit a major milestone in its quest to transform recycling and promote sustainability. Over the past year, the company expanded its network of reverse vending machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats, from 100 to more than 300 units across the MENA region.

Permutable AI Launches Trading Co-Pilot

Fintech startup Permutable AI, known for its innovative use of artificial intelligence in financial markets, has launched its latest platform, Trading Co-Pilot. This tool is designed to offer real-time, AI-powered insights into financial markets, drawing on a range of global data sources.

Empower employees to take responsibility for their own mental health

This World Mental Health Day, on Thursday 10th October 2024, Towergate Health & Protection is urging employers to take decisive action. With this year’s theme, “It’s time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”, the company is advocating for businesses to equip their employees with the tools and skills they need to take control of their mental wellbeing.

Mental health support needs to be delivered by mental health specialists

On World Mental Health Day, Christine Husbands, Commercial Director, RedArc is advising employers to ensure their mental health provision is up to scratch.

Top 5 actionable eCommerce marketing strategies that work in 2025

The rising eCommerce industry has made it super important for brands to stay abreast of consumer behaviours and help them make the right decisions. Whether you are a startup or a growing eCommerce brand, following a bunch of marketing tactics can help you become successful in the long run. This handy guide will help you use the best eCommerce strategies for higher conversion rates. So, let’s get started!

NEC X showcases Elev X! Ignite Batch 12 cohort

NEC X, the Silicon Valley-based venture studio powered by NEC’s advanced tech, has unveiled the seven promising startups selected for its Elev X! Ignite Batch 12 cohort. Since 2018, NEC X has played a key role in launching over 130 tech startups, transforming innovative concepts into scalable ventures.

World Mental Health Day urges companies to prioritise mental health first aid

On World Mental Health Day, St John Ambulance, England’s first aid charity, has added its voice to global calls for workplaces to prioritise mental health first aid. This year’s theme is “Mental Health at Work,” highlighting the urgent need for businesses to act.