Phos, the fintech behind the first-ever software Point of Sale (POS), has today announced the extension of its partnership with Mastercard to introduce their innovative mobile payment solution. 12,000 small businesses across 12 European countries will now be able to accept contactless payments using their Android mobile devices, with this number set to increase over the coming months. This will allow merchants to digitalise their payment processes and offer more payment options to their customers, with the potential to drive sales and grow their businesses.

A new study, commissioned by business bank, Allica Bank has looked to quantify exactly how much UK small businesses should be re-investing to succeed post-COVID-19. The study analysed data from over 1,000 companies and ranked their success on a scale that evaluated factors including productivity, growth, consistency and outlook.

An empowering new healthtech app called Blueheart has launched to democratise access to sex therapy and help people overcome sexual dysfunction to have healthy personal relationships.

Concerns have been raised about van driver safety after Department of Transport data revealed road traffic has risen to 83% of pre-lockdown levels. It is estimated demand for home delivery has increased by 100% due to COVID-19 as online sales have become a lifeline for small businesses. 

Gaming platform 3D Aim Trainer celebrated the first anniversary since its founding in June. The company, based in Dendermonde in East Flanders, Belgium, started as a passion project by competitive gamer Bernd Matthys and has since become a global success.

Manchester tech startup Fractory has announced that it has developed a first-in-the-world cloud manufacturing solution, becoming the only platform capable of instantly processing 3D models for pricing tube cutting without the need for manufacturing drawings. 

Santander UK is currently running the Santander Universities Emerging Entrepreneurs programme for 2020, bringing together budding entrepreneurs from across the UK and offering them start-up support as well as a chance of receiving up to £30,000 of funding at a virtual pitching competition final in September.

Local businesses are core to our communities, but the impact of COVID-19 has been tough on business owners and the surrounding community. As part of Google’s commitment to supporting local businesses in the UK, new research conducted by YouGov on behalf of Google has been released today which reveals the positive changes in people’s connections to their local community sparked by lockdown and that up to date online information is key to reigniting consumer confidence. 

Speechmatics and Prosodica, a provider of innovative voice and audio analysis technology and subsidiary of Vail Systems, have announced their partnership to deliver better caller experiences to enhance customer care and improve customer experiences.

Bridging volumes fell by more than half in the second quarter of 2020 and by 45% over the first half of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown hit activity.

George at Asda, UK supermarket clothing brand, has partnered with delivery experience platform, Sorted as part of a trial aimed at providing real time updates to improve post-purchase tracking for George customers.

Global provider of Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS), Quuppa has announced its first ever round of funding, worth €20m.

Retailer and wholesaler, BWG Foods, has become the first retail and FMCG business in Ireland to launch an innovative Scan, Pay & Go checkout technology, developed by MishiPay, as part of a new pilot scheme taking place across its retail network.

Five startup businesses have won a year’s access to a new online finance training platform from a Yorkshire-based finance management firm. The wins are part of a competition which launched Mellor Financial Training’s virtual training platform, established to offer an on-demand digital system specifically designed to be consumed online.

Nottingham-based electronics design and software engineering consultancy, Ignys recently celebrated their 3rd anniversary after moving into their new premises on Nottingham Science Park. East Midlands entrepreneur, Richard Fletcher set up Ignys in 2017 to provide the product development industry with an extra resource.

Xero has ​announced the acquisition of Waddle, a cloud based lending platform that helps small businesses access capital through invoice financing. The acquisition aligns with Xero’s strategy to grow the small business platform and to address critical small business financial needs. Waddle’s cloud lending platform, combined with small businesses’ invoice data, will enable the delivery of tailored invoice financing solutions.

According to the World Allergy Organisation (WAO), 2.5% of the general population is allergic to one of more foods, while up to 10% can manifest adverse drug reactions. This is just one example of why in highly regulated industries, such as food or pharmaceutical manufacturing, it is particularly important to protect consumers by ensuring that items are properly packaged and labelled.

COVID-19 has drastically changed the landscape for businesses across all industries, forcing immediate changes - but ones that will have long term consequences. In the newest report by Lux Research, 'The Impact of COVID-19 on Tech Innovation', Lux outlines five key trends that will define how the world beyond the pandemic will be different.

An online game developed by a startup business in response to the recent COVID-19 lockdown is now being used to train the Artificial Intelligence (AI) component of its new legal contract management system.

Superstrata’s 3D printed e-bike, and traditional bike has soared past the company's initial crowdfunding target, hitting £3.3M in pre-orders as more than 2,800 backers from 66 countries have supported the project so far, and due to demand has decided to extend the campaign until Saturday 12 September 2020.