SME confidence has slumped in the second quarter as the effects of rising rates and a stalling economy is felt, according to The Federation of Small Business’s (FSB) Small Business Index.

Vantage Fit, an AI-empowered employee wellness platform from Vantage Circle, has announced a partnership with London-based wellness startup Breath Hub to create a mindful revolution.

Carifit, the postnatal fitness, babywearing and tech company announces the appointment of Erin Hallock as Chairwoman of the Carifit Board of Directors effective immediately.

Independent B2B PR firm Spreckley has announced the launch of the Spreckley Startup Growth Hub, a comprehensive, tailored suite of marketing and PR services designed to support ambitious startup founders reach the next level of growth with powerful storytelling and lead-generating integrated marketing. The Spreckley Startup Growth Hub is poised to become the go-to partner for startups looking to gain a competitive edge.

Here East, Delancey’s innovation campus in East London, has announced its virtual twin. Partnering with digital design specialists Squint Opera, Here East takes a pioneering step into the virtual world as one of the first to introduce this technology, paving the way for a new era of digital innovation.

Israeli travel tech startup Joyned has been recognised for the company’s outstanding growth at this year’s Hustle Awards, where they were crowned as winners of the Most Successful Scaleup category.

The traditions of business networking are being redefined by TECH+TUNES — a new monthly hub of conversation, connection and soaring arias for London’s tech community. Behind the two unassuming doors of 213 Oxford Street, ambient mood lights, indulgent snacks and atmospheric live music offers an intimate alternative to conventional networking.

UK and Singapore officials have agreed a pact for collaboration on FinTech and sustainable finance, emphasising the development of digital assets and currencies as well as sustainable finance, at a meeting in London.

An improvement in jobs and sales growth across UK small businesses in June has been largely offset by increasing late payments and a slowdown in wages growth, according to the latest data from global small business platform Xero.

Home Grown, a London members’ club entirely designed for entrepreneurs, scaleup founders and their investors to socialise, connect, build ideas and relationships, has received a Butterfly Mark Positive Luxury accreditation.

Wavemaker UK has collaborated with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), responsible for promoting UK trade across the world, on a five-part documentary series to be premiered and hosted on LinkedIn’s ‘Live Events’ platform.

The next-gen modular wheelchair by German startup PARAFREE has won the esteemed iF Design Award 2023 in the healthcare category. The wheelchair, intended for both athletic and everyday use, stood out as one of the most exceptional products, among approximately 11,000 submissions from 56 nations. It represents the efforts of a team that dedicated over 5000 hours to its creation.

An innovation-focused think tank, The Entrepreneurs Network, has published a new report calling for a radical rethink of how academic research is commercialised in the UK. With explicit reference to the Prime Minister’s aim of making the UK a science and technology superpower, it urges the Government to explore the idea of Professor’s Privilege to boost spinout creation and growth.

Startups and scaleups from across the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia New Zealand, and Asia, are being urged to apply for the annual Super Connect for Good Competition. The competition encourages entries from companies that are bringing about positive social change and impacting people’s lives through technology.

Newcastle-based data and test solutions provider Seriös Group has allocated 17.5% of its shares to employees, giving them a valuable stake in the future success of the high-growth business, based in Hoults Yard, Newcastle and Glasgow.

The World CX Summit, organized by Trescon, set to be hosted in Singapore on 2nd-3rd August 2023 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. The Summit will bring together leading technology mavens, CX specialists and innovators to share their actionable insights and talk about successful use cases that are redefining the CX space.  

Trescon is set to organise the 42nd edition of World AI Show, a global platform showcasing the latest trends and innovations in enterprise AI solutions. This highly anticipated event will be held on 2-3 August 2023 at the prestigious Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore, bringing together IT Heads and business leaders from enterprises and governments across the APAC region. 

Remember A Charity, a consortium of almost 200 charities, is calling on dictionaries to recognise a new term to celebrate the generous acts of everyday people that are on the rise. ‘Willanthropy’, the act of giving to charity in your Will, seeks to overcome a big misconception: that you need to be wealthy to do something wonderful and make a difference for good causes in your Will.

The Ocean 14 Capital Fund, which is working to clean up and revitalise the world’s oceans, has received a €20 million investment from international specialty insurer and reinsurer, Convex Group Limited (Convex), taking it past its €150 million funding goal. The Luxembourg-based fund, which also received €10 million from family offices and HNWs, now aims to reach €200 million by the end of 2023.

Business confidence remains rocky among startups and SMEs ahead of the Bank of England’s projected 14th straight interest rate rise, according to a survey from the Institute of Directors (IoD).