Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face a unique dilemma today: deliver immersive customer experiences while tackling mounting costs in a high-pressure business environment. 

Misconception: "I can use any legal template I find online; it's a cost-effective solution."

Reality: Legal templates may not be tailored to your specific needs and can lead to legal issues. Consulting with a professional is advisable.

Workplaces around the world are experiencing major shifts. Skills and upskilling are in the spotlight, new roles are emerging across sectors, and innovative technologies like AI are creating both new challenges and new solutions for businesses.

It’s tough being a startup at the best of times, and financial mismanagement is a death sentence. As a founder myself, and heading up a fintech that specialises in treasury management, I've seen my fair share of promising ventures crash and burn when founders neglect financial stability from day one.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are more than just trending topics, they’ve been influencing our daily interactions for many years now. AI is already deeply embedded in our digital lives and these technologies are not about creating a futuristic world but enhancing our current one. When wielded correctly AI makes businesses more efficient, drives better decision making and creates more personalised customer experiences.

Anyone launching a startup knows, or at least certainly should know, the famous quote by Thomas Edison: “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration.”

James Clough is the CTO and Co-Founder of Robin AI, a legaltech startup aiming to revolutionise the legal industry through advanced AI technology. Founded with the vision of making legal services more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective, Robin AI combines machine learning algorithms with expert legal knowledge.

Natalie Cramp, Consultant and Strategic Advisor of commercial data solutions provider JMAN Group, explains why startups should prioritise data from day one.

Businesses in the UK are increasingly seeing their margins squeezed by external factors. Cost pressures, including rising energy costs, wage inflation, and raw material price hikes, have all hit the bottom line of businesses. Meanwhile, consumer price inflation and post-COVID social shifts have significantly impacted sales patterns. All this can seriously harm a business’s ability to stay afloat in uncertain times, making the future look bleak for many business owners.

Let’s be real, startups have a lot on their plate from day zero. From product development and hiring to securing funding and contingency planning, there are just so many things to get through.

How to step up and step away without losing control.

The First Tier Tribunal Tax Chamber recently released rulings including the interesting case of Get Onbord Limited (GOL) vs The Commissioners for HMRC, an R&D tax relief claim. The favourable ruling for GOL has the potential to significantly reshape the R&D landscape for SMEs in the UK software development sector, steering HMRC to adopt a more inclusive and flexible approach to assessing the activities that qualify as R&D for tax purposes.  

The financial services industry has long been defined by the stability and reliability of traditional institutions such as banks and insurance companies. These organisations have built their reputations on decades (sometimes centuries) of trust, conforming to strict regulatory standards to ensure customer protection and economic stability.

Demand for Cloud computing skills is at an all-time high, and 59% of medium-sized enterprises purchased Cloud computing services last year.

I’ve worked for brands like Nike and Disney-here are the five biggest mistakes startups make with their branding.

In the ever-evolving world of startups, the phrase "Empowered women empower women" holds profound significance. It encapsulates the spirit of mentorship, inspiration, and the transformative power of shared experiences.

Every few decades, new technology emerges with the promise to transform the modern business landscape. Looking back on some recent highlights, we had the Internet, we had mobile and cloud computing, we had big data and analytics. Right now, we have artificial intelligence (AI) – and it looks set to deliver on its promise.  

When starting, growing or running a business, founders are often consumed with thoughts of achieving their goals, prioritising immediate actions, and envisioning the future for their organisation. However, amidst the pitch decks, investor conversations and value-add brainstorms, they may be overlooking a crucial aspect central to a business’ sustainability strategy and profitability, which may be damaging its carbon footprint: waste management.

FemTech has seen an astronomical rise in recent years. Last year alone, Forbes and Dealroom reported that 2023 saw $1.14 billion raised across 120 ‘FemTech’ deals. Meanwhile, the FemTech Landscape Report estimates that by the end of 2027, the industry as a whole will be worth over $1 trillion. What does this tell us? That the opportunities for startups and investors alike is staggering.

Higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to support and improve local startup communities, driving economic growth and innovation. At Oxford Business College, we have seen first-hand the transformative impact an educational institution can have on its surroundings.