In 2024, nearly half of Brits feel like we’ve done enough when it comes to women’s equal rights, so much so, that 59% of men feel like we’ve actually gone so far that we are discriminating against men. For context, over the last year, the gender pay gap for women aged 30-39 doubled and it’s the highest it's been in 15 years. Something’s not adding up.

The conversation around women’s equality has been gaining momentum for years, but the journey is far from over – especially for Black women. As a founder and advocate for diversity and inclusion, I’ve seen first-hand the systemic barriers that continue to hold women back, particularly in the professional world.

When an important business meeting coincides with a child's "Family Day" at school, many women in tech face a familiar dilemma. It might seem like a minor event, one where a partner can step in to represent the family. The day continues as planned, with real-time updates and photos streaming in from the event. But upon returning home, there’s often that lingering feeling, sometimes reinforced by others, that something was missed – a reminder of the constant balancing act between professional ambition and personal responsibilities.

When I first embarked on my career in AI, I wasn’t fully aware of the challenges or the triumphs that would come my way. What I did know was that I had a passion for data and a drive to solve problems that could make a real impact. As a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Helios, an AI company that predicts agricultural disruptions and soft commodity prices, my journey has been a blend of relentless hard work, continuous learning, and a deep understanding of the unique value that women bring to the tech table.

Eleven years ago at a conference, I asked a woman founder about her biggest challenge in business. Her response – “getting capital” – came quickly, and set off something within me. As I looked into this further, I discovered just how widespread – and persistent – this issue is.

As traditional banks increasingly withdraw from small business lending, accountants and business advisers face mounting pressure to find viable funding options for their clients. In response to these challenges, Paddock Capital has emerged, offering a fresh, ethically-guided approach to finance.

Altery, a fintech startup based in the UK, has joined forces with Uzum Bank, a prominent digital bank in Uzbekistan, to deliver advanced and cost-efficient money transfer services tailored for the rapidly expanding Uzbek market

Workpay, a cloud-based platform designed to streamline HR, payroll, and employee benefits across Africa, has secured $5 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Norrsken22 and included investments from Visa, Y Combinator, Saviu Ventures, Axian, Plug n Play, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, and Acadian Ventures, a firm known for backing the next wave of work-related technologies. This new funding comes after Workpay’s successful pre-series A round, which raised $2.7 million earlier in 2023.

Virgin Bet is proud to announce its inaugural Personal Safety Partnership with WalkSafe, the UK’s top personal safety app.

IBASE Technology Inc., a provider of embedded computing solutions, has unveiled the MI1002 Mini-ITX motherboard, featuring Intel® Core™ Ultra processors Series 1 (Meteor Lake-PS platform) with LGA1851 socket support. The newly launched motherboard integrates advanced AI capabilities, superior graphics performance, and impressive energy efficiency, making it ideal for demanding applications in AI, edge computing, and IoT environments.

Finnish biotech company NADMED has secured €3.5 million in a Series A funding round to support its expansion into the US and other global markets with its innovative technology for measuring nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). This technology has the potential to enhance the precision of personalised treatments for a range of diseases.

Koa Health, a global provider of mental healthcare services, has announced the launch of Koa Care 360. Koa Care 360 is a comprehensive mental health platform designed to help employers offer personalised care to their employees, including preventative services, online therapy, and customised solutions tailored to each individual’s needs.

Optiml, a digital platform specialising in Net Zero real estate investment and renovation planning, has secured $4 million in Pre-Seed Extension funding. This funding round was spearheaded by BitStone Capital, an investor with a focus on real estate and construction technology, and received additional backing from KOMPAS VC, which is dedicated to early-stage ventures in the built environment.

According to recent research by Towergate Health & Protection, 58% of employers lack a clear understanding of their employees' health and wellbeing needs.

A significant 76% of UK professionals believe the traditional 40-hour workweek is no longer fit for purpose. According to fresh research by talent solutions company Robert Walters, half of those surveyed (51%) suggest that a four-day workweek, or greater overall flexibility (38%), could better align with contemporary needs, potentially boosting productivity and engagement.