Ask any early-stage business owner and they will tell you that getting funding to scale can be tough. Very tough. All will tell you that it takes much more time and effort and takes much longer to complete than they had expected. And all will tell you that raising finance is a massive distraction from actually running and growing the business.

Business today is extremely competitive. Customers have access to a large number of products and services and are hesitant to make buying decisions.

When is the right time for startups to invest in PR? With a Seed round secured, focus turns immediately to the most pressing priorities and how to spend wisely to move the boat faster. 

Of the six million UK businesses in 2022, just 32,000 (that’s just 0.01%) grew beyond 45 employees and only 8,000 businesses scaled to the point that they employed more than 250 people.

In the past, requesting a demo or contacting the company was seen as a mainstay of B2B commerce. Today, however, modern B2B customers have shifting expectations when it comes to their purchasing journeys, and B2B websites must keep up if they want to turn traffic into leads.

As a business owner, navigating the complex world of taxes can be a daunting task. However, by employing effective strategies, staying informed about tax laws, and seeking professional advice, you can confidently navigate the intricacies of the tax system. By doing so, you can identify and leverage various opportunities to minimise your tax liability and optimise your financial position.

More than ever, startups are hiring college interns. But most startups have little experience training and managing interns. And most students have never worked in a professional setting, let alone a fast-paced startup environment. Result: host companies rarely educate interns properly. Only once in a while do students actually get to do anything substantial. More likely, they’re given too little to do or outright neglected. And it’s a shame. Here, Samantha Dewalt and Nicola Corzine share their insight.

Designing your business systems can give you clarity in many areas and identify what steps you are missing or need to improve. The key is to keep things simple. The core of your business is your customer journey, so that’s what you should focus on. You and your team may have many ideas on new ways to improve the journey, but it is important to look at the following six main steps when shaping it.

Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, accounting for 36% of turnover in the UK private sector and half of the UK workforce. However, this backbone is experiencing a great period of economic uncertainty as both their costs have increased and customers have less to spend. This uncertainty has led to four in five small business owners struggling to plan beyond 2023. Facing such economic headwinds, small businesses should look to the power of branding as the way to continue thriving. 

It’s mental awareness month, and educating people about mental health is essential as more and more people are affected. When people around us are experiencing mental health issues, we need to know how to respond.

In the final article in our four-part series, we will pick up where we left off in part three (startups leveraging each other’s networks to drive portfolio sales) and look at how young firms buying from each other creates opportunities for closer collaborations. Over to Sam Perry, Founder of Ensemble, with contributions from Rory Sadler Co-Founder and CEO at Trumpet.

If there is one thing everyone hates, it's the sense of failure. Indeed, the sweetness of victory feels just so much better. As an entrepreneur, though, you may learn much more from setbacks than successes. We must approach failure with a different mindset - seeing it as a chance rather than an obstacle.

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place 15 – 21 May, and this year’s theme focuses on anxiety. Most people can relate to feelings of anxiety around a social activity, be it a family gathering, big work meeting, or starting a new job. Social anxiety disorder, however, can be far more debilitating than the ‘normal’ nervousness that we can all experience, and it can have a significant impact on the wellbeing and relationships of those it affects, as well as those around them. 

In my day gig as a provider of sales support services to startups, it’s fascinating to hear which factors are believed to be the most important when trying to attract new customers.

Britain’s parents are paying to work.

Every startup or scaleup founder knows how tough raising investment in this environment can be. From getting the correct marketing documents together, perfecting your pitch to building your confidence and finding the right investors; the process can be a minefield.

As the Internet industry becomes increasingly competitive, businesses must differentiate themselves by providing unique customer experiences. Provide insight into CRM data and how it can be used to help personalise the experience. Engaging customers, retaining them, and increasing sales can be achieved by using customer data.

As a startup, branding can end up as an afterthought. It’s understandable when you’re spinning a hundred plates at once, many of which require immediate attention (finances, workforce, strategy).

Following the sudden switch to remote work caused by the pandemic, this new way of working has become commonplace, with huge demand among employees for it to stay.

As fun and rewarding as it is, business traveling can lead to a very unhealthy lifestyle.

When traveling, people tend to think less about a healthy diet, sleep less, or don’t get enough exercise. Also, business meetings and conferences often end up with binge drinking large amounts of free alcohol.

According to Harvard Business Review, business travel is connected with depression, anxiety, and even alcoholism.

Staying healthy while traveling isn't hard, but there are certain things and habits worth implementing.

In today’s digital world, businesses are looking for new and innovative ways to connect with customers.

Many hundreds of thousands of new businesses are set up each year in the UK. Indeed, according to Companies House, just over 200,000 new businesses were established in the first three months of 2023. For some, the founders will be content with a lifestyle business or will not wish to scale in any meaningful way. But the majority of businesses will need to raise some form of funding and for many this will be during the early-stage of the business when it is looking to scale.

Space has inspired countless generations of people who have marvelled at the night sky. It’s no wonder then that the space sector proves to be an attractive option, especially for fresh graduates and early career engineers. But the realities of a sector where remuneration for highly-skilled engineering talent struggles to keep pace with other industries means it is hard for space businesses to retain good talent.

In the second instalment of our four-article series, we looked at how startups can often partner with each other to secure cutting-edge solutions, leading to competitive advantages.

In today’s business climate, there’s no denying the importance of sustainable operating practices. Operating sustainably has plenty of tangible benefits for businesses – aside from a clean conscience of course. Increased profitability and desirability as an employer are just two of the advantages that can be gleaned from sustainable business.

We know from our own research that first-party misuse is increasing dramatically. Two thirds of the merchants we surveyed as part of our last annual Chargeback Field Report said that they have seen first-party misuse rise by an average of 28%. Every chargeback dispute can cost a company 2.5x the cost of the initial transaction and can necessitate companies setting up departments solely dedicated to recovering funds lost to chargebacks.

Starting a business is usually the most creative, exciting and scary period in the life of an entrepreneur. Usually, it’s a time when ideas materialise and ambition is fuelling all energy reserves.

Navigating the business world as a startup is difficult. You’re pitted against competitors who have been established for years - potentially even decades - and it’s likely that your market is pretty busy already. To find your feet in such a fast-paced environment, you need to be ready to innovate.

There is no doubting that OpenAI’s chatbot's advanced conversational capabilities have generated quite the buzz.

April marked Stress Awareness Month, a time where companies and individuals are encouraged to reflect on the areas of stress, ow they can reduce undue stress, and how they can support others.

A common question and discussion amongst business owners are around productivity and how to supercharge it. As many businesses consider the pros and cons of adopting cloud-based solutions, the question arises whether utilising these tools can truly improve staff productivity.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field which has the potential to transform the way we work.

In the run up to the King’s Coronation, Dani Wallace, Leader of the ‘I Am The Queen Bee Movement (#IATQB)’ and Founder of The Fly Anyway Foundation, shares with Startups Magazine, why she believes that everyone can start stepping into being their own version of sovereignty and success and says for startups - “that is where the power is!”

At the end of March, the government announced its ‘powering up Britain’ strategy or, in other words, a net zero plan intended to boost energy security and reduce harmful emissions amid pressure from environmental groups and intergovernmental bodies.

Entrepreneurship is a rewarding and fulfilling journey, but it can also be financially challenging. As an entrepreneur, you have to be mindful of your spending habits to ensure that you have enough capital to grow and sustain your business.

CRM is vital for businesses to build and maintain strong customer relationships, increase sales, and remain competitive. It enables businesses to make data-driven decisions, personalise customer interactions, and provide an exceptional customer experience.

From London to Los Angeles, Beijing to Bangalore, there are a multitude of locations that are established as hives of tech activity that are hubs for innovation across IT.

Managing your employees’ stress levels is crucial for ensuring a productive and healthy workplace environment. Employee stress is a common issue that affects job satisfaction, motivation and overall productivity.

Are you considering starting a business but wondering if launching a startup or buying an existing small business is the right choice? While both options offer unique advantages and challenges, it's essential to consider the legal implications of each decision.

Inflation, cost-cutting and talk of a potential recession are taking a toll on businesses of all sizes. But is it possible for a business to not just survive, but even grow in these conditions?

Over recent weeks, the Government has announced several new strategies, including the International Technology Strategy and an AI white paper.

In the first part of our four-part series, we discussed how buying from other startups can lead to cost-saving benefits.

In this second instalment, we will again hand over to Sam Parry, Founder of Ensemble, to explore how engaging with fellow startups can provide access to cutting-edge solutions, often delivering a competitive advantage. Contributions from Chris Priebe, angel investor & founder/CEO of HR tech platform Zelt.

Remote work might not be anything new, but it has become almost necessary over the last few years. Roughly 56% of organisations offer or "only hire" remote workers. For a good reason.

Best-selling author and Global Executive Coach, Sarah Farmer, Founder of EMR Consulting was recently named as one of the top 10 Coaches to follow for game-changing success in 2023, but up until only 7 years ago she was suffering from severe stress and anxiety. Here, she shares her story and advice for stress awareness month.

When starting a new business, there are many important factors to consider, including the creation of a business plan and the registration of a trademark. However, there are often misconceptions surrounding the importance of these elements, which can have a significant impact on the success of the business.

There are plenty of new hacks, apps, or trends claiming to be the solution to personal or professional challenges, but what if we possess the power to change how we feel? Finally, modern science is catching up with ancient yoga breathing practices and realising that how we breathe matters. As a certified breath coach, I help people use their breath to their advantage to manage stress and anxiety and find calm and clarity by changing how they breathe.

Mark Sweeny is a successful entrepreneur and angel investor whose latest venture is de Novo Solutions, a specialist SME digital boutique consultancy which helps its clients to offer more unique and personalised experiences to their customers. 

As a ‘serial entrepreneur’ with four successful exits under my belt, I've learned that one of the most important lessons for any founder is to never fall in love with your product, for love is blind. It may sound counterproductive at first, but hear me out.

This year, World Earth Day is challenging organisations and consumers alike to make more sustainable choices and ‘Invest in Our Planet’. Daniel Creasey, Marketing Manager, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK UK reports.

Sometimes, fear and anxiety can overwhelm us when we have to be a leader. Being a leader requires the ability to lead people so that you can have a profitable business. This can sometimes be scary and stressful.

For the majority of startups, raising funds is an important step towards growth and success. In today’s world, it is difficult to compete with large corporations without solid funding to rely on.

When it comes to running a business, protecting your wellbeing can too often fall so far down the list of priorities that you never get to it. The overwhelming demand on your time, particularly in high pressure points such as the New Tax Year, can be all encompassing.

While launching a startup can be incredibly exciting, the initial stages of growth can also be stressful and high-pressured. Over time – after raising your first investment, for example, or onboarding those crucial first customers – you begin to feel more confident in your role as founder.

Let's face it, who wouldn't want to leave behind the conventional 9-5 office life and embark on a journey around the world while still managing to get their work done?

Many of those thinking about their own startup is afraid to tell anyone about it, reasoning this by the fact that a "million dollar" idea could be "borrowed" by others. In fact, I can reassure you, as most teams capable of implementing a startup idea have a lot to do already (because they have their own startups and their own business), they don't have time to implement someone else's borrowed idea. Big companies, on the other hand, would rather become your partners than steal an idea. After all, an idea by itself is worthless.

Your startup’s value proposition is like its heartbeat. If it’s not clear and consistent, you risk an uncertain future.

A good network and team are essential for any form of career success, and building a Personal Board is one way to ensure you are maximising the potential of your connections.

Yesterday I attended the launch of the “Business Without Blood Sports” event, by leading animal welfare charity, The League Against Cruel Sports, at the historic House of Parliament. I found out the hard way that you’re not allowed to take pictures of every pretty thing you see in this magnificent building.

The global boom in startup valuations has abruptly stopped, with a dramatic drop in the number of new tech unicorns created, multiple failed initial public offerings, lower valuations, job cuts and startup bankruptcies.

With warmer weather on the way, parents across the UK will be thinking about how to keep their children safe in the sun. Enter: Solar Buddies – the world’s first child-friendly suncream applicator.

The product, created by Welsh mums Kelli and Laura, recently gained a huge new audience when it was successfully pitched in the Dragons’ Den. Here, we learn more about the idea and how the pair found success and bumps along the road.  

Esport athletes can use mental imaging techniques to enhance performance and achieve optimal mental and emotional states while competing.

Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) has been a common way of accessing connectivity for some time. Across Britain, we’ve all seen the green metal cabinets dotted around our streets.

According to Salesforce, simple tasks like data entry and paperwork once took up so many hours that sales teams only spent one third of their time actually making sales.

In the first of a four-part series, Startups Magazine has teamed up with Sam Perry, Founder of Ensemble, to look at how startups can leverage each other to survive the current challenges in the European startup funding arena. Hector Mason, General Partner at Episode 1, Co-Founder of Focal, Co-Host of Riding Unicorns and Jon Butterfield, Head of Platform at Speedinvest also comment.

Over 750,000 startups were registered in the UK between March 2021 and March 2022. Although that’s a 7% drop from the previous year, it was the second-highest on record. In simple terms? More than one company was created per minute in the last two tax years.

Laura Riches, Co-Founder of Laylo, remembers the first time she thought about boxed wine in a professional context.

Quantum computing is a hot topic. Quantum computing startups and university spinouts continue to attract venture capital and private equity investment, whilst countries such as the UK, US, Germany, Japan, and China are engaged in a quantum computing arms race, as they seek to realise its potential and develop capability and expertise which will support the private sector as well as enhancing military and cyber capability.

The allure of deeper capital markets in New York has led many UK companies to consider transferring their primary listings to Wall Street.

It's important to celebrate the amazing progress and achievements of women, but also draw our attention to the barriers facing women in both their personal and professional lives - such as imposter syndrome. However, it’s not just today that we acknowledge these struggles, and we must work every day to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all women.

YouTube is the second-largest search engine after Google and has over 2.6 billion monthly active users. It is, therefore, essential for startups to create engaging videos for the platform to increase their brand’s visibility, reach the right audience, and deliver value through their content. 

In this article, let’s look at the YouTube video marketing software for startups that can help you do just that.

Data is touted as the lifeblood of the digital world, the new oil, and the DNA of the Internet – all rightly so. Organisations are increasingly tapping into the vast realm of web data and leveraging the power of data analytics to propel groundbreaking innovations.

Creating quality AI content detectors is something that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. If you want to be successful, you need to put in the effort.

The rapid ascent of the toy and entertainment IP company Toikido within its industry has certainly been impressive. Founded during lockdown in 2020, the company is now an eight figure business and is partnered with companies such as Netflix, Skydance, Apple and RoBlox. In 2022 it sold over 20 million toys across 100 markets worldwide and intends to build on its success even further this year with the launch of its own computer game Piñata Smashlings which will be accompanied by a range of animated content as well as toys and books.

Famous for its coffee culture, grunge music scene, and chewing wall gum, Seattle boasts beauty, greenery, and elegance. What’s more, when I picture the City, I think of ferry boats and the space needle, all thinks to medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. All these things make Seattle a great tourist attraction, but is Seattle a suitable city to launch a tech startup?

As part of Stress Awareness Month, this is my story and top tips for others who are considering making a change and building their own health business or side hustle.

With the advent of hosting services, sharing files has become easier. There is a demand to store files securely.

When you look up the definition of crowdfunding it’s easy to think that you can simply post your idea online, and thousands of people will throw money at you. If only it was that easy!

In the 1930s, industrial engineer Allen F. Morgenstern coined one of the most famous quotes on productivity: “Work smarter, not harder.” So, what does working smarter look like today?

In recent years, particularly as a result of the global pandemic, organisations around the world have been racing to rapidly move their operations and services to the Cloud. In fact, according to Gartner, worldwide public Cloud spending this year is forecasted to grow by 20.7% to a total of $591.8 billion, up from $490.3 billion in 2022.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any business, but when consumer spending power is low, businesses can rapidly feel the effects.

Beginning a new round is a typical race for startups. And many companies forget about long-term perspectives by diminishing their focus on communications with investors after they receive funding.

As AI and automation technologies continue to advance, some experts predict many jobs will be replaced by machines. Startups are developing more and more AI and automation technologies within their workforce.

How can startups avoid greenwashing for a positive environmental impact? 

"Do you think the COVID-19 pandemic has raised more awareness on the importance of health and wellbeing in the workplace?" 

How long have you been around? 

ByteSnap Design is an award-winning consultancy for electronics software development and hardware design. Founded in 2008 by Graeme Wintle and Dunstan Power, the company has a range of expertise from electronics design through to embedded Linux development.  

Born out of a close experience with health, Aide Health is the future of long-term condition care, on a mission to make prescribed care as effective as possible. It’s a digital health service using conversational AI to improve patient engagement and clinical assessment for chronic disease.  

Deliverect, a startup unicorn co-founded in 2018, integrates third-party food delivery platforms with restaurant POS (point-of-sale) systems, automating delivery to allow for a more efficient system – and they do it well! 

Teleporting is an ecosystem for the self-employed where you can find any type of activity on your road to self-improvement. We caught up with Ilya Rouss, Founder and Managing Director of Teleporting.

The hiring strategy is often less of a priority for early-stage startups than developing their development and getting funding. However, building a strong team is crucial for the success of any company, especially startups.

“A Cactus is nature’s battery … It stores water when it’s available and releases it for use later” – Oskari Jaakkola, Co-Founder and CEO of Cactos Oy. 

Frustrated with his own extractor hood being difficult to clean and not up to his aesthetic taste, Maxime Augay designed AirHood during college.

To launch a successful business, passion, drive and determination is essential. Nate Macabuag, Founder of Koalaa is the perfect example of a founder on a mission to change the world and make a real-life difference.  

BRU is on a mission to provide the best tea making and drinking experience by offering smart solutions for the tea preparation.  

The digital ecosystem has an incredibly large carbon footprint. 

Underneath the city’s surface a hidden, unique subculture is on the rise. Delicious cuisine, stunning architecture, museums and art, Helsinki has something to offer everyone, including startups.

Doctify are the award-winning healthcare review platform who are building trust and transparency between healthcare professionals and people seeking medical care. 

The SPACE framework takes a more holistic view of developer productivity and wellbeing, says Hywel Carver, Co-Founder and CEO of Skiller Whale.

With funding from the European Commission, a patent in place and even a shout out from Richard Branson himself, Coroflo is on a mission to revolutionise the global breastfeeding crisis.