From seven-second TikTok videos on our phones, click and collect McDonald’s orders and generous returns policies on our clothes, our modern existence is characterised by the need for speed, ease and flexibility. Convenience is what we expect and what we now demand from technology providers. There was a time when consumers were prepared to wait a year for a software update and willing to pay extra for new features. Today, expectations have changed and been replaced by an expectation of flexibility and the convenience of pay-as-you-go subscription billing methods.

Over the last 18 months, we’ve seen an unprecedented number of new startups being incorporated despite the backdrop of the COVID pandemic increasing business uncertainty. In fact, the first half of 2021 saw nearly 80 new businesses were created every hour, leading to over 340,000 startups registered in the UK between January and June 2021.

In the last two years the digital payments landscape has experienced rapid evolution, which has largely been driven by the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that the UK economy begins to recover from the last two years, it’s evident that consumer expectations around the ease and choice of payment options have changed permanently, and it is essential that SMEs are aware of their demands.

Obviously as a startup there are a million things that you should be doing. But here is a checklist of ten that you need to prioritise from your never-ending list. 

The metaverse is a growing phenomenon. It has a huge variety especially when it comes to investing in the metaverse. We spoke to Grant Blaisdell, CEO of Copernic Space and asked his expert opinion on what we can expect to see with trends in the metaverse and investment. 

Apple propelled Tap to Pay to the forefront of payments and fintech news, with their new Tap to Pay feature effectively turning iPhones into payment terminals. In theory, this could be a gamechanger for small businesses in the UK, helping them avoid high fees and clunky tech. What’s more, it’s not just Apple who’s bringing out new solutions here. Plenty of new entrants to the market are making a play for the Android users who make up 45% of the market. Now, let’s look at whether this is a technology which will really take off.

Creating and presenting a pitch deck is always a daunting prospect. Especially when you’re new to the process. Just knowing what information to include can be a minefield, let alone how to present it. And while tech advancements have opened the way to multimedia presentations, the question remains whether the likes of GIFs, emojis, and animations are appropriate in a business setting. Can they be used to make your business stand out in the right way?

Cross-border commerce has created a new digital age of endless possibility. Brands and companies can expand into untapped markets, as well as grow their visibility with potential new consumers who aren’t dependent on localised commerce.

Whether this is your first business, a new enterprise, or a brand within your existing company, choosing the right name is a vital part of its success. There are many factors to consider and, as IP and business name experts, we’ll take you through the process to ensure you’re off to the best start.

While hearing the term 'icebreaker' may make many employees want to run for the hills, team building is an important activity for startups to utilise.

Despite a record $330bn fundraising total, female founders in the US secured a mere 2.3% of venture capital in 2021 according to Bloomberg, the second consecutive year of decline and the smallest share since 2016. Amazingly, that figure is more than double the proportion of venture capital going to female-founded businesses in Europe which sits at just 1.1%.

Being a freelancer is amazing, you can control your professional and personal life, make sure they don't overlap, and also take an opportunity to establish a fruitful business you're the sole responsible for.

When it comes to improving gender diversity, employers often find it difficult to point to equal representation at the top of the leadership ladder, despite their efforts to improve women’s opportunities when recruiting at a junior level. Unfortunately, this is largely due to the systemic barriers that are holding women back, that sadly aren’t eroding nearly fast enough.

Anthony Chadwick, considers himself to be a lucky person, as he is working in something he loves and has wanted since he was eight. As someone who is passionate about people, the planet and the animals that live there, it is the perfect fit for him. Being proud that his profession, veterinary, is at the forefront of developing a holistic one health approach to some of the big problems that face us, here Anthony talks about how this profession is tackling the waste problem and increasing biodiversity.  

Salesforce’s Global Digital Skills Index has revealed that 76% of respondents do not feel prepared for a world that prioritises tech savviness and a digital-first mindset. This, coupled with The Great Resignation, is causing significant problems for tech companies globally. Resourcing is a challenge that isn’t going away.