A survey launched by CapitalBox, has unveiled the devastating effects of the pandemic on small and medium businesses in the UK. In particular, the consequences of multiple lockdowns, the increase in household savings and shift in consumer needs, that has caused SMEs.
Funding Options has joined forces with digital bank, Starling Bank to deliver business critical access to finance as SMEs across the UK rebuild following a turbulent year.
Prsnt have raised £180,000 through Suss Ventures, the bespoke investor matching service at Sussex Innovation. The tech startup aims to dominate the gifting marketplace, by creating a peer-to-peer gift exchange platform to leverage the ‘feel good’ factor of giving and receiving gifts. The investment will be used to streamline the app after its successful beta testing, and to grow its user base as part of ongoing business and technological development.
Ziglu, the UK-based and FCA regulated cryptocurrency challenger, has launched Bitcoin Boost, an account that allows Ziglu users to earn interest equivalent to an annual percentage rate of 5% on their bitcoin.
Data from absence management platform, e-days, reveals that when comparing pre-pandemic levels in March 2019 to March 2021, the number of stress sickness days recorded has increased by 113%.
Intellectual property firm, Mathys & Squire will celebrate World IP Day 2021 on Monday 26th April by hosting a virtual pitching session inviting innovative UK-based startups and SMEs to showcase their business and innovations in front of an expert panel to win a prize of £3,000.
Attic Self Storage has announced the launch of its eCommerce Accelerator Program, to celebrate the official opening this week of its brand new facility in Harrow, London. Attic also has several other sites across London, so will be championing budding entrepreneurs in the capital by offering them free units, workspaces and funding to help them scale their enterprises.
Creative workspace and accelerator, Huckletree has announced it’s hosting Earthrise Summit, a virtual festival to unite sustainability leaders, founders, politicians, change makers and innovators from all corners of the world, to inspire people to take action.
Empathy, a platform helping families navigate the journey they face after losing a loved one, has announced the launch of its application on iOS and Android for users across the United States. Empathy’s technology-enabled platform is designed to guide families experiencing loss with purpose and compassion. Empathy is backed by $13m in a seed round co-led by General Catalyst and Aleph.
Psyomics, the innovative UK-based healthtech company, has launched its mental health assessment platform Censeo with two London based GP practices, to gather real world data and feedback prior to commercial launch later this year.
Towergate Health & Protection is warning employers that they could unwittingly be leaving themselves open to uninsured liabilities that could cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds if their employee benefits are not aligned with their contracts of employment.
European satellite and communications startup, Hiber BV has secured €26m in EU and private investment to expand the world’s first global IoT (Internet of Things) satellite network.
Xero has revealed that small business jobs have increased slightly for a fifth consecutive month in the UK, with year-on-year revenues also improving compared to January according to Xero Small Business Insights (XSBI).
Creative workspace and accelerator, Huckletree has announced international law firm, CMS to join as their first sustainability programme partner alongside Silicon Valley Bank, and A/O Proptech – Europe’s largest proptech VC firm. All three will provide support and services to Huckletree’s educational programmes, members and events.
Civic Tech platform, CitizenLab has announced a move to open up the core version of its community engagement software, in an effort to equip smaller organisations and communities with the tools to democratise policy-making by involving more citizens.
Oxford Medical Products (OMP) has raised £1.2m in seed investment to develop a safe and affordable weight loss capsule, which uses the same mechanism of action as a gastric balloon, but can be taken at home. The funding will be used to complete pre-clinical testing, upscale and outsource manufacturing and grow the team.
Cancer Research UK and Capital Enterprise, together with Roche UK, have launched the Cancer Tech Accelerator programme. This new initiative will help researchers translate their ideas and lifesaving discoveries into innovations that will improve the lives of cancer patients.
Creative technology studio, Appetite Creative Solutions, has released results from its first ever B2B Marketing Survey. With 82% of respondents viewing B2B marketing as a vital driving force for new business. Despite COVID-19, uncertainty over two thirds (65%) of marketers are looking to increase their digital marketing spend in 2021.
Beautystack Founder and CEO, Sharmadean Reid has launched her latest venture, a new media platform called The Stack World that will bring together content, community and commerce and put intelligence at the core of the women’s media landscape.
Like Minded Females (LMF) Network joined efforts with online business school Jolt and technology venture firm, Balderton Capital to grant five Future Leaders scholarships to rising female tech talent from LMF’s community. The full bursaries will allow them to attend Jolt’s Switch course, a programme designed to create pathways for those who want to begin a career in tech.
