When it comes to the risks associated with running a business, some may choose to ignore them: those are the people whose companies are most likely to run into trouble down the line.

When it comes to a startup, with its pivots and tight budgets, Learning & Development (L&D) must prove its value.

Let’s be honest – most service-based business owners didn’t start their business to spend all day selling. And yet, for many women I work with, sales has become a full-time job on top of the actual work they do.

"Startup failures have jumped by 60% over the past year": statistics like this are familiar headlines, yet we seldom deeply explore why.

We are now in the thick of 2025, and it isn’t business as usual. The startup scene has evolved dramatically, and so has the supporting tech and tools, enabling pretty much anyone with an idea and a bit of drive to launch a startup. To succeed, however, you need more than just a groundbreaking idea – you need a bulletproof strategy to stand a chance.

In the wake of the pandemic-driven workplace revolution, adaptability has become essential – and HR technology is the force behind this shift. In a world where work-from-home (WFH) and return-to-office (RTO) policies are in constant flux, leveraging HR technology is crucial for SMEs aiming to remain competitive and responsive. In fact, research from 2023 shows that close to 50% of total HR budgets are dedicated to technology, and with good reason.

Starting a new business and growing it from the ground up is an exciting time in an entrepreneur’s life. If you’re considering global expansion, the idea of more customers and more profit can spur you to jump into the waters. Before you launch that boat, however, consider the measures you must take to sell your startup’s products internationally.

Despite being in the industry for years, dynamic pricing remains a somewhat controversial topic. Last year, media attention was drawn to the backlash over Oasis concert tickets’ sale – volatile price fluctuations left the band’s fans outraged and attracted the attention of the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which launched an investigation into Ticketmaster’s ‘dynamic pricing’ practices.

The true risk to your business is not having ESG as part of your core internal business. ESG is everywhere these days. ESG reporting, sustainability and climate change strategies, DEI initiatives. This is great right?!

Scaling in healthcare can be challenging – regulations, long sales cycles, fragmented markets – however, with the right investors and strategy, there is an immense opportunity for digital health startups to grow and positively impact the global health ecosystem.

You might not think innovation can be found by looking in the past, but my experience of an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership at a historic royal palace shows that it very much can.

The European startup ecosystem is rich and diverse but faces a paradox similar to other high-value markets like the United States and Canada. Whenever Europe has a well-established economy with successful educational institutions that generate a lucrative talent pool, early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) tends to lag.

In the process of launching a new business? Here’s a staggering statistic for you – in 2024, 90% of business startups failed. The speed of failure varies – only 10% fail to claw their way through the first year, but after that, the rate of attrition is epic.

What is one of the biggest misconceptions about virtual data rooms? People usually associate data room software with corporations or large-scale mergers and acquisitions. M&As are indeed the biggest use case of virtual dataroom technology, but data rooms offer so much more to SMBs and startups.

A strong and harmonious co-founder relationship can set the foundations for the future of a startup. However, just like any professional partnership, it’s not immune to conflict. Priorities may shift and visions may begin to diverge somewhere along the way. While disagreements are natural, here’s when you’ll know it’s time to part ways.

The renewable energy sector in the UK is booming, driven largely by innovative startups. These agile companies are pioneering advancements in solar and wind power and smart grid solutions, addressing some of the industry's biggest challenges – such as energy storage, efficiency, and integration into the national grid.

The startup journey is unpredictable and filled with challenges, such as securing funding and scaling effectively. For many entrepreneurs, mentorship is crucial in navigating these obstacles because it offers expert guidance, industry insights and valuable connections. An experienced guide can help founders refine their business strategies and unlock growth opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

“Trade, it turns out, is like water flowing through a stream strewn with rocks. When it can’t go through them, it goes around them,” said Patricia Cohen, New York Times.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the most promising regions for innovative technologies. With active investments in digital transformation and openness to new ideas, this region has become highly attractive for IT companies worldwide.

Just like many entrepreneurs, I have been approached by the Dragons’ Den multiple times to pitch my business on the show, and every time we were called, I declined. For years, the show was the ultimate launchpad for startups, promising funding, exposure, and prestige. But let’s be honest: Is Dragons’ Den still the powerhouse it once was, or has it become nothing more than a flashy TV relic, out of touch with the realities of modern entrepreneurship?