Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD) has raised $9.5m in Series A funding. The investment was co-led by IQ Capital, Parkwalk Advisors and BGF, and includes investment from Foresight Williams, Cambridge Enterprise, Martlet Capital, Cambridge Angels and Cambridge Capital Group. The funding will be used by CGD to expand its product portfolio of energy-efficient power devices and to double the size of its team.

A cloud-based CRM provider has announced another instalment of their successful virtual event series, designed to help UK businesses tackle 2021 and set strong foundations following a challenging 2020. BuddyCRM’s Build Back Better - Sales Masterclass will commence on 18th March 2021 and is free for delegates to attend. 

Social impact startup OX has successfully secured three grants with a total project value of £1.2m in the past four months. The grants, awarded by Innovate UK and the Advanced Propulsion Centre, will see OX work on separate projects with Potenza Technology and Penso to expedite the delivery of the world’s first clean transport ecosystem. 

Over half (54%) of UK workers say they are more open to taking on a side hustle or freelance work since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research from Fiverr. Over 2 in 5 (44%) agree they are more open to it, due to the flexibility that working from home has given them.

PatchAi and Roche Italia aim together for the digital transformation of the Italian healthcare system with an innovative solution for patients affected by oncological diseases.

Job discovery platform, DirectlyApply is celebrating its second birthday after enjoying its most successful year to date. Despite lockdown and the fall in available jobs, DirectlyApply experienced rapid growth over the last 12 months, seeing revenue jump by 1,400%.

Two-thirds (66%) of UK companies have admitted to commissioning market research in 2020 which has never been used due to the disruptions and delays caused by COVID-19. This is according to new research from Stravito, a provider of knowledge management software for insights.

Creative industries are under huge pressure caused by the pandemic. For the SMB sector, there’s never been a greater need to cut costs and futureproof themselves against further economic uncertainty in the coming months.

With the shipping and logistics sector rapidly growing due to the growth of the e-commerce industry, the need for optimal packaging solutions is becoming more important than ever. The primary single use material used to secure pallets across Europe is stretch wrap but most businesses are moving towards more environmentally friendly and reusable packaging solutions.

Ahead of the UK’s 2021 Budget and Economic Recovery Plan, new research from Sage has revealed the tough conditions that will be facing Small and Medium sized Businesses (SMEs) well into the second half of 2021. The research highlights how the latest lockdown has further divided the outlook of UK SMEs, with one-third worse off than November, one-third in a similar position and one-third better off.

Former joint venture and technical delivery partners of Delete have set up a new digital transformation business based out of Leeds and Romania following the acquisition of Delete’s shareholding. 

Israel’s booming cannabis industry has recorded a significant achievement with the signing of the first of a kind genetics breeding deal. Israeli Agtech startup, RCK, which specialises in science-based cannabis genetics, signed an agreement with SeedTech, a Dutch seed company, for developing unique cannabis strains in the form of elite hybrid seeds.

OneTech, an organisation connecting London’s underrepresented communities with opportunities in tech startups, have today launched TryTech. The new online platform will help young people, aged 18-24, facing multiple disadvantages in the UK, to find motivation, develop their knowledge and skills towards a career in the technology and social enterprise sectors. The platform will be available in London first, before rolling out across the UK. 

Low-cost wealth manager, InvestEngine is urging small businesses to consider stockmarket investing, as interest rates on banks' business accounts hit record lows. The average interest rate on instant-access business savings accounts is now just 0.06%, according to Bank of England data published this week.

Xero has launched a new matchmaking tool to match small business owners with the right accountant or bookkeeper based on their industry, maturity and growth expertise.

New research from Uswitch has revealed that crowdfunding sites have helped fund 6 million projects in the past year and are now central to many business plans. It is becoming more popular than ever around the world to use crowdfunding as an investment source for businesses. Not only does it have its financial benefits, using crowdfunding is a great way to gain visibility and build a customer base for startups.

Wolves Summit has confirmed its return from 24th to 26th March 2021 in Warsaw with two days dedicated to startups, investors, and executives from the tech ecosystem. The hybrid format that made the two previous editions a success will be enriched with new digital experiences including multi-stage and matchmaking functionalities, an Investor Podium, dedicated Scaleup, Accelerator, and Community Partner Stages.

WeWork has launched Growth Campus, a new initiative aimed at giving a boost to the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The pandemic has presented a huge challenge for growth-companies: from startups to scaleups, to corporate incubation projects, the crisis has stifled momentum.

Michelle Cowan and Bren Adams, the Founders behind Yorkshire-based tech start up, Justo Software and socialsendr, have launched a crowdfunding campaign via Go Fund Me to raise £25,000 to drive forward development of their second social media platform aimed at soletraders, freelancers and small businesses.

OVHcloud today announced Sweden’s managed services provider Elastisys as an Advance Partner. This partnership will enable customers of both companies to access enterprise grade security-focused container services that are fully EU compliant.