Employment tribunals can be long, costly, stressful and risk damaging the reputation of both employee and employer when workplace relations turn sour.

In the angry world of the internet, it’s impossible to avoid p*ssing people off – so you might as well stop worrying about it.

The pace of change in the modern era is unprecedented, driven by technology advances in existing markets and the emergence and growth of new markets enabled by advanced semiconductor technologies and AI allowing applications to gather, process, and interpret enormous amounts of data to provide insights.

The Hearth is a women-only co-working space located in the heart of Queens Park. “It provides a much-needed, dedicated space for female members to invest in themselves,” commented Oi Leng Lui, Co-Founder of The Hearth.

Spain is often regarded as a startup hotspot, and Barcelona is often people’s first thought when it comes to startup cities, especially as it is known for its big startup events and innovation.

Almost every startup I’ve worked in has had a portfolio Finance Director. It’s a concept which has been around for a long time, and it makes perfect sense.

New research suggests a rise in small business confidence following the formation of the new Government. A study by Novuna Business Finance, surveying 1,000 small business owners and senior managers, found that 68% of companies are now considering new projects to drive growth, up from 66% earlier this year.

In the last few years, we have witnessed some of the most seismic changes to the IT security landscape; from global pandemics and geo-political issues to a global energy crisis, to growing cybersecurity threats, to multiple country elections and subdued economic conditions.

The fast-paced advancements in fintech are reshaping industries by making financial services more accessible, intuitive, and customised to meet consumer demands. This surge in innovation is reaching beyond the realm of traditional finance, offering eCommerce platforms the chance to integrate fintech solutions that not only elevate customer experience but also boost revenue, streamline operations, and unlock substantial cost savings.

Six years have passed since the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), yet the landscape of global data privacy regulations continues to evolve with considerable divergence between the EU and countries like the US and the UK.

Giving up a high-flying corporate career to become the founder of a wellness startup is not a move you make lightly. I bailed out of a decade-long position as a corporate lawyer to launch gut health brand JERMS in 2023. And I don’t regret a thing.

For AI startups, choosing a GPU provider is one of the most important decisions they will make. The right provider can be the key to explosive growth, while the wrong one can be a massive drain on already limited cash reserves.

Being a university spinout is already a unique way to bring about a new startup, filled with its own set of challenges and rewards – but what about transitioning beyond that phase?

Startups interact with numerous stakeholders online. To be perceived as a reliable business partner from the start, it is crucial for them to choose a secure collaboration platform.

In today’s rapidly changing markets, adapting to evolving buyer behaviours and sales enablement challenges is crucial. Damjan Haylor, CEO of POPcomms, with over 25 years of experience, notes that shifting expectations and dynamic market conditions present not just challenges but significant opportunities for growth.

In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, there are more fast-paced changes and challenges than ever. Businesses face more competitive markets, and unpredictability is influenced by geopolitical conflicts and economic issues. This is why calculated risk-taking has become more crucial than ever for entrepreneurial success.

The business landscape in 2024 is fraught with challenges, including economic uncertainty, technological shifts, and evolving consumer preferences. SMEs are struggling to keep up with the dynamic market. As a result, many risk falling behind.

The creator economy is a comparatively new phenomenon that has already experienced rapid development. With the growing recognition of content creation as a profession, the creator economy will develop even faster. As of 2024, it is valued at nearly $160 billion and is projected to grow fivefold by 2030.

To commemorate the reunion of British 90s music legends Oasis, we take a look back at the British companies that were founded alongside Oasis in 1991, and the impact they have made on the technology sector.

Any startup can strategise extensively, but it will never grow without increasing sales. There are effective ways to achieve this, but also many pitfalls to avoid along the way. Let’s focus on those pitfalls.

Soumya Dinesh is the managing director of Atula Technologies. The Buckinghamshire-based business provides bespoke software solutions to SMEs. Soumya discusses the advantages of investing in bespoke software with the aim of tenanting it out to other companies.

When a startup grows, the way that data is handled needs to evolve with it. At the beginning, when just starting to build the business, it is easy to set data responsibilities aside, however, the responsibilities will grow as the business develops and someone will need to be in charge of this.

It was a cold and stormy night, in the economic climate, and all those entrepreneurs sat in small houses with big dreams were debating whether or not this was a good time for them to START their business.

The demanding modern job market often sees startups facing big companies. As a new business will have fewer resources and less reputation, how does it stand out? One way is to create a challenger brand that challenges the status quo in the contemporary market. Below is how startups can create a brand and compete with established companies.

Have you ever thought about how something as simple as a conversation could be an opening in your life? I’ve seen it time and time again in my work coaching leaders, and in my own life… how talking with someone can be the catalyst for life cascading down a different, more exciting path than if we’d stayed silent.

The European automotive industry is facing a slowdown, with sales dropping nearly 19% last year and early-stage funding for automotive startups plummeting from $12.2 billion in 2021 to $3.7 billion in 2023. This has led to many OEMs struggling and startups shutting down.

19 July 2024, a date for the ages, when millions of computers worldwide were disrupted by the infamous ‘blue screen of death’ following a faulty software update from CrowdStrike.

As a founder, you're always on the hunt for information – whether it's understanding a new market, finding ways to outsmart competitors, or figuring out how to get your content to rank higher on Google.

As business owners, we navigate significant challenges, such as limited access to funding and the need to balance personal responsibilities with professional aspirations.

As the founder of HouseMyPet.com, my path to success has been both challenging and rewarding. On Women’s Equality Day, I want to share my story – a journey marked by resilience, determination, and the quest for equality in a business world that can sometimes be unkind to women.

I started my journey in the telecoms space with a degree in Electronic Engineering – one that I still refer to today, as a CEO, sharing my experience with those around me. As one of five women on the course, it set out the course for the journey I was to embark on.

If you’re serious about the success of your startup, there’s no time to waste on things that don’t move the needle. Your product needs to deliver value, and it needs to do so by putting users front and centre. It’s not just about making things look good – it’s about creating a web app that solves real problems intuitively and keeps your users coming back for more.

It’s clear there’s a robust entrepreneurial spirit among the British population – official statistics reveal a steady rise in new business registrations in the UK.

With the conclusion of the Summer in Olympics in Paris, we're reminded of the dedication and teamwork that define elite performance. According to a recent YouGov report, 48% of Olympic followers are drawn by the athletic feats and performances, while 42% tune in to support their country’s athletes and feel a sense of national pride. These insights offer valuable lessons for the business world, where leaders can draw inspiration from Olympic principles of leadership and teamwork.

Assessing the UK’s technology ecosystem – deeptech shines clearly as a bright spot. Owing to a network of historic and world-leading universities, the UK has a longstanding R&D tradition that’s spawned regional startups at the forefront of new tech innovation that ‘deeptech’ consists of.

For many startup founders, there is a cherished figure in mind that they aspire to see in their business market capitalisation. In order to achieve it, the founder must understand how to evaluate their company and what actions the startup needs to take on an annual basis. Properly calculating company value helps not only during its sale, purchase or investment attraction but also to determine its current capabilities and create a growth strategy.

British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch is one of six tourists missing after a luxury yacht sank off the coast of Italy.

Entrepreneurship can be a challenging and often lonely journey. Recently, solo founders have been speaking out about the loneliness they have felt while going it alone, and mentorship can be a great step in helping founders overcome this loneliness. 

This World Entrepreneurs’ Day, innovation leads from four UK train operators currently spearheading the ‘Future Labs’ accelerator share their advice for entrepreneurs.

Regulation plays a critical role in shaping the fintech landscape. From Consumer Duty and FCA annual risk reporting to APP fraud, the tectonic plates of the sector are shifting and whether you consider these regulations as benefiting or hindering the industry, businesses are struggling to keep up. 

Navigating the financial challenges of a startup can be daunting, particularly in today’s uncertain business environment. With England and Wales recording the second-highest number of company insolvencies this summer since 2009, the stakes are high for entrepreneurs, who work tirelessly to build momentum while carefully managing their investment.

Andrew Moss, corporate partner at DSG Chartered Accountants, explores the benefits of choosing a compatible accountant early in your business journey, and explains why building a long-term relationship can be the key to success later down the line.

It’s official. According to the UK’s Hybrid Work Commission Report, hybrid working is here to stay. What was once a ‘nice to have’ perk for the senior team is now an expectation for many employees, which is reflected in Gartner’s prediction that 39% of global knowledge workers would be practicing hybrid working by the end of that year.

After all the headlines we have read about how amazing artificial intelligence (AI) is and how businesses would literally stagnate if they didn’t have it, it was interesting to read this article in Forbes, who suggest that AI stock is showing “bubble”-like tendencies and may soon experience a sharp correction as businesses struggle to operationalise AI. So, should we write off AI? Maybe not. 

How do small business owners balance financial security with changes in tax and regulations? Jeremy Middleton, CEO of investment firm Middleton Enterprises, and the co-founder of HomeServe PLC, believes the answer lies in a partial exit and explains why business owners should sell shares in their business now ahead of potential capital gains tax increases.

In Part 1 of this article, we explored why brands matter, especially for startups. Now we will focus on how brands actually grow in value as people learn about and intensify their preference for them over time.

Over the past two decades, we have witnessed a drastic shift in how companies allocate marketing dollars and how they measure success of their marketing and advertising efforts. Google, Facebook, and Amazon (and recently TikTok) gobble up billions of ad dollars for their ‘performance ads’, ads that promise a click and immediate transaction that can be easily calculated, and performance immediately measured.

Cloud hosting platforms are the hidden backbone behind the seamless operation of websites and applications, yet many SMEs and solopreneurs remain unaware of their potential. So, what exactly is a cloud hosting platform? At its core, it’s a service that hosts websites, applications and data online, ensuring businesses operate seamlessly across a network of connected servers.

Monzo vs Starling is a showdown of two of the most prominent players in the digital banking market. Both have gained significant attention for their customer-centric approach, technological innovation, and disruption of traditional banking norms. This article provides a comparative analysis of Monzo and Starling, exploring their key features, strengths, and potential areas for improvement.

In today’s fast-paced business world, the need for efficiency, speed, and accuracy is more critical than ever. With the rise of advanced technologies, particularly in software testing, bots have become an essential tool for businesses who are looking to maintain that competitive edge.

In the fast-paced world of technology, predicting the next big idea can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Yet, for those of us deeply entrenched in the tech ecosystem – whether as innovators, influencers, or enthusiasts – staying ahead of the curve is critically important. OG presenter of the original The Gadget Show on UK TV’s Channel 5 and now host of The Gadget Podcast, Jason Bradbury, explains how to get the jump on the next big trend.

In 2023, Statista found that around 850,000 UK businesses turned over up to £250,000. At the £1 million turnover mark, however, this number dropped to just over 123,000 businesses.

No reader of this publication needs me to tell them that finding and maintaining growth for a business of any size is not a straight and linear process. Far from it. Ambitions and expectations clash with the realities of operating a business day-to-day. What you want to do is restricted by the constraints of what you can do.

The Joy Club helps businesses attract, engage, and retain customers in later life through providing its life-changing community and content platform as a benefit and digital channel. The Joy Club Founder, Hannah Thomson, felt inspired after losing her Granny Jean, as she wanted to find a way to pay tribute to such an important person in her life.

Today, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are still dependent on paper-based and offline workflows, with data from Inside Government revealing that 55% of businesses across West Europe and North America are still completely reliant on paper. This means that without existing digital systems and a centralised database of historical data, the transition to AI-powered workflows can seem completely out of reach.

SFE Services is a Buckinghamshire-based air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation company. Founded in 2017 and based in Widmer End, High Wycombe, it is owned and managed by husband-and-wife team Grant and Sophie Davenport.

Cyber-attacks are on the rise. From ransomware and phishing to data breaches and insider threats, attacks are not only increasingly common, but more sophisticated too.

In today's digital-centric environment, manufacturers are looking to enhance efficiency and increase productivity to stay competitive. It’s a goal that must be achieved against a backdrop of challenges such as labour shortages, supply chain bottlenecks, cost pressures, and even mounting cyberattacks.

Innovation. That’s the answer you’re most likely to get if you ask Scottish Business Network (SBN) founder Russell Dalgleish what Scotland’s most valuable contribution to the world is. He’s not talking about it in the past tense, either. Scotland’s capacity for innovation didn’t stop with world-changing technologies like the telephone, television, and the ATM.

In this article, Matt Bird, CEO and Founder of Lemon, shares insights drawn from his experience in the music industry. Matt highlights the transferable lessons he has brought from his former career, demonstrating the value they offer to fellow business owners.

Control is often seen as a good thing for businesses. Particularly where there’s so much at stake, including customers, employees, revenue, products and more. But it’s a term that lives or dies by its definition.

The impact of social media on our business can’t be underestimated: it can amplify authentic voices and help brands reach a whole new audience (even if the constant rebranding and changes are annoying, I’m looking at you X!). We’ve never been closer to our customers, whether that’s through daily behind-the-scenes Instagram stories or WhatsApp for business chat, but this can also be a double-edged sword.

There are subtle ways you can work out what someone who might want to buy your SME is really thinking, says Clive Stanley of Warwickshire-based M&A advisors, Acqius.

As the Paris Olympics is well underway, athletes from all over the world have prepared to compete at the highest level. It takes skill, dedication, and perseverance to be a gold-standard winner, as the British cycling team demonstrated during the London 2012 Olympics.

Despite the UK's headline inflation rate decreasing from 11% in 2021 to 2% in June 2024, businesses are not resting easy. In a recent survey by consulting firm The Hackett Group, procurement leaders identified inflationary pressures on profit margins as a major concern for 2024. For startups, protection against market volatility is critical to ensuring longevity and growth.

The journey from a humble garage startup to a sustainable business is fraught with challenges – most startups don't survive their initial years. While challenges like funding or product-market fit are common hurdles, a critical – and often overlooked – factor is lack of a clear vision for what they want their business to be in the future.

The evolution of technology continues to redefine industries, challenging traditional professions to adapt or risk obsolescence. Khariton Matveev, CEO and Founder at AI-Startup is an entrepreneur whose journey from edtech to AI offers valuable insights into the future of traditional work in a contemporary landscape.

Dr Nadine Hachach-Haram is the Founder and CEO of Proximie, a global healthtech platform digital connecting surgical operating rooms (ORs). Alongside her entrepreneurial venture, she is also a practising NHS surgeon, specialising in plastic surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London.

Revolut vs Starling: the landscape of digital banking has seen a significant transformation, and picking the right bank for your needs has become a complicated affair with so many innovative new players in the market. This article provides a detailed comparison of these two financial powerhouses, examining their services, fees, user experience, and security measures.

Government, shackled by the need to appease voters and navigate political agendas, simply can't drive the change we need to reach net zero. Political parties struggle to lead in climate innovation because their policies often prioritise large, established sectors over nimble, innovation-driven startups.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage in the UK has risen by 66% since September 2023 and 18% since the beginning of 2024, according to Slack’s Workforce Index. As the owner of an AI tool myself, I see this as a positive. It paves the way for increased productivity, efficiency and profitability for businesses, amongst a shedload of other benefits.

Gary Knight, CEO at WOLF, explains the process of how the company monetised its app, successfully generating revenue for the company and its app users.

The software as a service (SaaS) market is vast and versatile. It unites a broad variety of products and companies, from Zoom and Salesforce to Adobe and Dropbox. There is something for an investor with any aspirations, be it simply to grow capital or to create something defining and revolutionary. If, as an investor, you have a preferred industry, you are very likely to find some SaaS startups within it to consider.

Discover how effective foreign currency management can help your startup scale globally. Understand the risks and strategies to safeguard your financial health.

Whatever market you are in, standing out is the key to gaining sales above your competitors. So many of us waste time and budget focusing on fine tuning a marketing campaign but struggling to see the results we need.

The topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI) comes up in nearly every conversation I have right now – whether that’s with my executive team, Board, employees, clients, shareholders or other stakeholders. It seems to be the only thing that people are interested in and want to talk about. And rightly so, in my view.

As we navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape, the importance of fostering innovation through structured environments cannot be overstated. As the Director of the recently launched Porto Business School Entrepreneurship Center, I am keenly aware of the transformative potential these centres hold.

"By adopting advanced technologies like BIM, project management software, and digital marketplaces for buying and selling timber, the industry can improve efficiency, cut costs, and enhance project outcomes," writes David de Jong, CEO of VonWood.

When selecting a city to open Koba’s fist flex location, Koba @100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester was a perfect place to start with so much growth and activity in the property sector.

Adyen vs Stripe is a big question when selecting the right payment processing solution for startups and SMEs. These two prominent players both offer robust platforms designed to handle the complex needs of modern businesses.

Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly becoming the new black. We are seeing how numerous businesses across the world are racing to win in the AI game by inventing their own solutions or integrating existing ones in operations. But here’s the twist.

The startup landscape in the UK is experiencing a resurgence, with UK startups raising $3.9 billion in Q1 of 2024. This marks a significant recovery, positioning the UK as one of the best scaleups and startup hubs in Europe.

Almost £1.5 trillion of global economic value is lost every year through poor contract management. Simply put, the way firms manage their agreements is broken. Small businesses should review how they create, commit, and manage documents as part of their agreement processes if they want to reclaim opportunities for efficiency and growth.

SMEs often face the challenge of generating quality leads to fuel their growth. Unlike large corporations with vast marketing budgets, SMEs must be savvy and strategic to attract potential customers. Here are some practical and effective strategies SMEs can implement to boost their lead generation.

You’re ready to launch your startup, which is exciting and scary at the same time. Knowing which key metrics most impact your future success can be a crucial part of the process.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face a unique dilemma today: deliver immersive customer experiences while tackling mounting costs in a high-pressure business environment. 

Misconception: "I can use any legal template I find online; it's a cost-effective solution."

Reality: Legal templates may not be tailored to your specific needs and can lead to legal issues. Consulting with a professional is advisable.

Workplaces around the world are experiencing major shifts. Skills and upskilling are in the spotlight, new roles are emerging across sectors, and innovative technologies like AI are creating both new challenges and new solutions for businesses.

It’s tough being a startup at the best of times, and financial mismanagement is a death sentence. As a founder myself, and heading up a fintech that specialises in treasury management, I've seen my fair share of promising ventures crash and burn when founders neglect financial stability from day one.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are more than just trending topics, they’ve been influencing our daily interactions for many years now. AI is already deeply embedded in our digital lives and these technologies are not about creating a futuristic world but enhancing our current one. When wielded correctly AI makes businesses more efficient, drives better decision making and creates more personalised customer experiences.

Anyone launching a startup knows, or at least certainly should know, the famous quote by Thomas Edison: “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration.”

James Clough is the CTO and Co-Founder of Robin AI, a legaltech startup aiming to revolutionise the legal industry through advanced AI technology. Founded with the vision of making legal services more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective, Robin AI combines machine learning algorithms with expert legal knowledge.

Natalie Cramp, Consultant and Strategic Advisor of commercial data solutions provider JMAN Group, explains why startups should prioritise data from day one.

Businesses in the UK are increasingly seeing their margins squeezed by external factors. Cost pressures, including rising energy costs, wage inflation, and raw material price hikes, have all hit the bottom line of businesses. Meanwhile, consumer price inflation and post-COVID social shifts have significantly impacted sales patterns. All this can seriously harm a business’s ability to stay afloat in uncertain times, making the future look bleak for many business owners.

Let’s be real, startups have a lot on their plate from day zero. From product development and hiring to securing funding and contingency planning, there are just so many things to get through.

How to step up and step away without losing control.

The First Tier Tribunal Tax Chamber recently released rulings including the interesting case of Get Onbord Limited (GOL) vs The Commissioners for HMRC, an R&D tax relief claim. The favourable ruling for GOL has the potential to significantly reshape the R&D landscape for SMEs in the UK software development sector, steering HMRC to adopt a more inclusive and flexible approach to assessing the activities that qualify as R&D for tax purposes.  

The financial services industry has long been defined by the stability and reliability of traditional institutions such as banks and insurance companies. These organisations have built their reputations on decades (sometimes centuries) of trust, conforming to strict regulatory standards to ensure customer protection and economic stability.

Demand for Cloud computing skills is at an all-time high, and 59% of medium-sized enterprises purchased Cloud computing services last year.