A recent survey by Novuna Business Cash Flow, involving 500 SMEs, has uncovered that 33% of small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK urgently need financial support within the next year to sustain their operations. As these businesses face mounting economic pressures, it’s crucial to explore funding options beyond personal borrowing and traditional bank loans.

Altery, a UK-based fintech startup, has unveiled its digital payment bot on Telegram. This bot is designed to provide an intuitive and secure payment experience, streamlining financial transactions on one of the world's fastest-growing messaging platforms.

Open Innovation AI, a provider of GPU orchestration platforms with AI and data science tools, has partnered with Nscale, an AI cloud service provider, to deliver advanced AI cloud services and optimised AI workloads globally.

5dVR, a virtual reality content and production studio, has expanded to Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading business expansion platform. The move aligns with 5dVR’s mission to enable a wider range of businesses across multiple industries to adopt and make use of augmented reality (AR), mixed reality and virtual reality (VR) technologies.

Visa has unveiled the strategies behind the flourishing side hustles of Gen Z, individuals born between 1996 and 2010, and their evolution in helping young people enhance their financial game.

On 12th July, the European Union adopted the Artificial Intelligence Regulation (EU AI Act), scheduled to take effect on 1st August, 2024. Although most obligations will not be enforced for another two years, businesses and individuals should start familiarising themselves with the new requirements, advises Toomas Seppel, attorney-at-law at Hedman Law Firm.

Paladin Capital Group, an investor specialising in advanced cyber and AI technologies, has joined the Allied Capital Community of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), an initiative by NATO to enhance dual-use innovation across member nations.

Crypto Quantique, a provider of quantum-driven security for the Internet of Things (IoT), has announced new partnerships with three intellectual property (IP) distributors in the Asia-Pacific region: Kaviaz Technology for Taiwan, LoMicro for China, and KRM for Japan and Korea.

AMD has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Silo AI, Europe's largest private AI lab, in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $665 million. This acquisition marks a pivotal move in AMD's strategy to offer comprehensive AI solutions grounded in open standards and fostered through strong global partnerships.

Digital staffing agency Coople surveyed 1,000 UK business leaders to understand how economic conditions have impacted their staffing practices.

Recent data from Hubble, a flexible workspace platform, highlights a significant shift from full-time to part-time office models, with businesses saving nearly 70% on rent.

UK chip company Graphcore has been acquired by Japan’s SoftBank. Under the agreement, Graphcore has become a fully owned subsidiary of SoftBank, and will continue its operations under the Graphcore name.

Changeblock, the company in carbon market facilitation using blockchain technology, has announced plans to acquire JustCarbon, a prominent marketplace for initiating high-integrity, gigatonne-scale carbon removal projects.

Global innovation scaleup Wazoku has joined the Italian Open Innovation Lookout Observatory, an initiative from the School of Management at Milan Polytechnic. This programme aims to help companies explore and harness the potential of the Italian Open Innovation ecosystem.

CHOROLOGY, a pioneer in compliance and security posture management, has recently come out of stealth mode to offer innovative data governance solutions. Built on patented Deep Artificial Intelligence technology, CHOROLOGY aims to address the challenges of ineffective enterprise data compliance, security, and privacy solutions.

Ayming, one of Europe’s largest innovation funding consultancies, has launched its first Manifesto for Innovation. This initiative aims to persuade the UK’s new Labour Government to revamp the nation’s lacklustre innovation strategy.

A team of students from Nottingham Business School recently pitched an innovative solution to the mounting problem of electronic waste at a global entrepreneurship competition.

Digital Catapult has announced the inclusion of eight pioneering tech companies in the Made Smarter Innovation Sustainability Accelerator. This initiative aims to enhance resource and energy efficiency in UK manufacturing.

Emerchantpay, a global payment service provider and acquirer, has released new research unveiling the key factors influencing consumer choices for online payments. Top concerns include security (60%) and privacy (41%), followed by speed (38%) and efficiency (34%).

LawtechUK has opened applications for its Lawtech Builder accelerator programme, aimed at helping current and aspiring founders in the UK turn their innovative ideas into successful lawtech products. This free programme will run from 17th September to 3rd December 2024, offering ten interactive online sessions led by industry experts and experienced founders.