Initial income from digital gift cards in the US stores sampled by Rise.ai jumped by 299% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2020, and by 135% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Initial income rose by 558% in December 2020, compared to November 2020. Overall, while for the full year initial income more than doubled by 114% in 2020 in comparison to the previous year.

Hong Kong innovation and technology expertise will be on display at CES 2021, with 22 of the region’s leading entrepreneurs and innovators exhibiting at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s (HKTDC) 44th annual Hong Kong Pavilion at CES. Held virtually from 11th-14th, this year’s exhibits will showcase why Hong Kong is the ideal incubator and launchpad for tech innovation and global business success.

New data has revealed that Birmingham has been crowned the UK’s regional startup capital for a seventh year running, defying challenges to business confidence posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.

British cybersecurity startups raised £651m last year after the start of lockdown in March, but only £11.9m went to companies looking to raise investment for the first time, according to new research released today by Plexal and Beauhurst.

Freehand, a UK-based medical technology company, today launched a crowdfunding round to support international expansion for its pioneering robotic surgical camera controllers. The company is seeking up to £1m in investment via Crowdcube to establish a global team of clinical training specialists and expand its distribution network across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

FaultFixers have successfully raised a joint investment deal of £100,000 out of a total £150,000 round through Suss Ventures, the new investor matching service at Sussex Innovation backed by the University of Sussex.

Positive Plus One, a social networking app, has announced that a total of £260,000 has been raised to add the next level of functionality into the specialist platform for the international HIV community.

Humn is delighted to announce an additional investment from Shell Ventures and existing investor Marbruck Investments. This funding will accelerate Humn’s domestic and international roll-out as they grow their presence as the leading innovator of fleet insurance in Europe.

Investments in Welsh businesses by syndicates of angel investors in Wales has grown despite business uncertainty in 2020 according to the Development Bank of Wales.

Managing a fleet of vehicles is a huge responsibility. Along with maintenance and driver management, fleet managers need to be responsible for the protection and safety of their assets. Fleet insurance is essential when it comes to managing and mitigating the risks that surround your fleet.

Creative workspace and accelerator, Huckletree is launching a new initiative to ensure some of the UK’s most innovative and promising startups have the space and mentoring they need to grow in 2021.

Promoting a new way of thinking! Heather Thurlby launches a female only directory to support and promote female owned and run businesses in the construction and trades.

British cleantech startup, Sunswap has announced a partnership with OX to develop solar powered mobile chilling capability for their zero-emission trucks in Rwanda. The collaboration comes as Sunswap launched their first public crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube on 5th January 2021.

Some of the UK’s most inspiring entrepreneurs have been recognised for their powerful contribution to society, the economy and communities.

New research conducted by Accountancy and Finance, HR and Data Analytics recruiter, Wade Macdonald has found that 44% of employees are finding working from home much harder, physically, mentally and emotionally, than being in the office.

Wondercise, the fitness technology pioneer, will unveil the world’s first Multi-Point Motion Match personal training system at CES 2021. Traditional smart wristbands and watches can’t tell the difference between a squat and lunge, let alone if it’s the right or left leg that leads. 

A Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) consultant, who offered free website audits to UK SMEs struggling to make ends meet due to the pandemic, has recently successfully supported his 50th client.

In March 2020, Halo PR and Communications received a call from their long standing clients, DOOH.com, a London-based out of home advertising agency. DOOH.com wanted to turn the out of home platform into a public service channel during the pandemic and, with such a huge platform, both creative forces knew this was an opportunity to turn their efforts to good.

Very few industries have been untouched by the COVID-19 crisis. With unemployment rates hitting an all-time high, many seasoned industry professionals who have built a corporate career for years or even decades, now find themselves forced to explore new avenues.