According to recent forecasts from Gartner, global cybersecurity spending is expected to surge by over 15% in 2025, reaching an unprecedented $212 billion. This substantial increase is primarily fueled by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and a growing demand for cloud and consultancy services.

GoDaddy has introduced GoDaddy Airo, a generative AI tool tailored to assist small businesses in the UK with quickly establishing and enhancing their online presence.

Cue, a provider of customer service software, has launched its highly anticipated AI Agents. Following its $2 million raise earlier this year, this innovation by Cue empowers businesses to automate routine inquiries, personalise customer interactions, and deliver exceptional service at scale. 

Wayve, a startup specialising in Embodied AI for autonomous driving, has announced a strategic partnership with Uber, the global mobility and delivery platform.

iDenfy, a Lithuania-based RegTech solutions provider best known for its variety of KYC tools, has launched a new Face Authentication service. The new technology is designed to detect fraudulent biometrics and add extra protection without unnecessary friction to the end user.

Opportunity North East (ONE) has teamed up with Barclays Eagle Labs and CodeBase to launch the EnergyTech Bridge Programme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting businesses in expanding into new markets, scaling internationally, and driving innovation in the transition to cleaner, greener energy through digital technology.

According to iwoca’s latest Q2 2024 SME Expert Index, nearly three-quarters (73%) of SME finance brokers are optimistic about the future of small businesses. The survey reflects a positive shift in outlook among brokers for the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs, with optimism up 3 percentage points from Q1 2024 and 6 points from Q4 2023. Only 8% of brokers express pessimism about the business environment.

Angela Prentner-Smith, a dynamic entrepreneur from Glasgow, is set to reshape the e-learning sector with her new venture, Neve Learning. This cloud-based edtech platform aims to foster a more inclusive and forward-thinking educational landscape.

Despite the new Labour government's commitment to a greener UK energy system, recent data has uncovered that hidden transaction fees are inflating costs for businesses transitioning to renewable energy. A comprehensive analysis has shown that these hidden fees are costing UK businesses a staggering £2.6 billion annually, translating to an additional monthly expense of £216 million.

Sustainability startup Signol, which leverages behavioural science to reduce emissions in the shipping and aviation industries, has raised £2.5 million from industry-focused investors.

Mollie, one of Europe’s fintech unicorns, has named Dave Smallwood as its new UK Managing Director as the company continues to scale its UK operations following a triple-digit year-on-year growth in the first quarter of 2024.

Innovate UK, Britain’s national innovation agency, has U-turned on its decision to award only half of the 50 grants in its ‘Women In Innovation’ funding competition for female entrepreneurs.

Coventry-based Expert Technologies Group has secured a significant contract in Spain, bolstered by a €1.4 million financing arrangement.

Glovo has appointed Shiro Theuri as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Previously serving as the Senior Director of Engineering since 2022, Theuri’s new mandate is to elevate Glovo's technological and innovative prowess, ensuring the platform delivers an exceptional experience for customers, couriers, and partners alike.

Helsinki's tech scene continues to draw the attention of global investors, with Singapore-based venture capital firm Leo Capital setting up its Nordic headquarters in the Finnish capital. This strategic expansion coincides with the launch of a €25 million fund dedicated to supporting B2B startups in the Nordic region, marking Leo Capital's first fund specifically focused on Europe.

Custocy is set to enhance its AI-powered network detection and response (NDR) platform by integrating Enea Qosmos' deep packet inspection (DPI) and intrusion detection (IDS) software libraries. This collaboration aims to boost the platform's accuracy, performance, and product differentiation through enhanced traffic visibility and efficient data inspection.

Over a six-week period, a panel of more than 170 experts selected 41 international startups to participate in the 11-week Kickstart Innovation programme in Switzerland. These startups now have the chance to connect with key decision-makers, test and scale their business models, and secure significant deals.

Many sale memorandums often miss the mark when it comes to capturing a buyer’s attention, merely compiling data without telling a compelling story. According to Victor Basta, CEO and Founder of DAI Magister, while assembling key information is useful, it is not enough to secure the highest sale price.

Herbert Smith Freehills has teamed up with Carbon13 to support the development of high-impact climatetech startups aimed at reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

Digital Catapult has unveiled its first International Supply Chain Accelerator, aimed at revolutionising global supply chains through cutting-edge deeptech solutions. The programme introduces two key initiatives: Seamless Trade Across Borders and Product Carbon Footprint Measurement, both designed to enhance supply chain resilience and promote international industrial sustainability.