Zoom has launched a new single-use webinar service, capable of accommodating up to 1 million participants. Expanding beyond its existing monthly and annual webinar subscriptions, Zoom now provides flexible options tailored to larger audiences.

Global fintech Revolut has reached agreements with a group of leading technology investors to offer employees liquidity through a secondary share sale, valuing the company at $45 billion. As of July 2024, Revolut has over 45 million customers worldwide.

Qubit Capital has transformed the landscape of startup investment, reshaping how entrepreneurs connect with investors through its innovative AI-powered matchmaking platform. In the second quarter of 2024 alone, Qubit facilitated over $9 million in funding for various startups, providing them with the financial backing needed to navigate the competitive market.

Finnish startup Kuva Space has successfully launched its first commercial microsatellite, Hyperfield-1, as part of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, US.

The global RegTech sector is on track for robust growth, with a projected annual CAGR of about 24%, likely pushing its valuation to $28 billion by 2028.

Small business owners are, on average, 42% overconfident in their money management, according to a new survey of +750 small and medium businesses (SMBs) by online banking and money management platform, Relay, and independent research company, RKI.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up a staggering 99.9% of the business landscape, yet for many, navigating the legal landscape remains a complex, challenging, and often costly endeavour.

AstroAgency, a space-focused communications firm, has announced a strategic partnership with New Scientist Live, the annual science and space event in London. The collaboration aims to highlight the opportunities within the UK’s rapidly growing space industry while inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in space. The partnership also seeks to educate the public on the critical role satellites play in our daily lives and challenge common misconceptions about space travel and exploration.

JetLearn, a company in online one-on-one education in coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence for children and teenagers, has recently formed a partnership with the NHS Staff Benefits Programme. This collaboration is set to extend JetLearn’s highly rated tech education programmes – praised on platforms like Trustpilot and Google Reviews – to the families of NHS employees.

Robin AI, a legal artificial intelligence (AI) assistant for businesses, has teamed up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to streamline complex legal processes and advance the development of a significant new AI-driven legal market.

The global B2B telecommunications industry is set to converge in the heart of Paris this October for Network X, the premier event that unites leaders, innovators, and visionaries from across telecoms network infrastructure. Held from 8-10 October at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Network X 2024 promises an immersive experience, showcasing the latest network technologies, fostering invaluable connections, and setting the stage for the next wave of advancements in connectivity.

New research from Xero, a global platform for small businesses, highlights a growing disconnect between how UK consumers prefer to pay and how small businesses prefer to receive payments.

New research from Deltek, a provider of software for project-based businesses, highlights that while 79% of professional services firms plan to boost their investment in emerging technologies, significant hurdles are slowing down adoption.

On 13th August 2024, the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) and the University of Sydney formalised a strategic alliance in Sydney aimed at nurturing the next wave of unicorns, with a particular emphasis on new energy, digitalisation, and the transformation of traditional industries.

New research from TalkTalk Business has uncovered that nearly a quarter (23%) of UK SMEs faced technical failures in the past year, leading to significant financial strain. The study found that 17% of SMEs incurred costs between £500-999 due to these tech issues, while 12% reported losses of £2,000-3,999, and 7% suffered a staggering £8,000-9,999 hit.

Fiverr has unveiled a new partnership with Martha Stewart, the renowned entrepreneur, author, and television personality, who is set to become the face of its latest advertising campaign and social media content.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a series of advertisements promoted by Steven Bartlett.

AllBright, the global organisation dedicated to advancing women’s careers at every stage, is set to acquire everywoman, an international leader in learning and development, in a strategic move that will amplify both organisations' efforts to promote gender equality and professional growth.

Centuro Global, an AI-driven SaaS platform transforming global business operations, is urging the newly established Labour government to reassess the recent limitations imposed on the Skilled Worker visa route.

Peanuds, a financial application tailored for digitally driven startups, freelancers, and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has announced a strategic partnership with leading embedded finance provider, Weavr.

Enfield Council has initiated a pilot programme for an innovative through-pavement Electric Vehicle (EV) charging system designed to simplify the transition from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric for residents who rely on street parking.

deepc, an AI platform in radiology and healthcare, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Radiology AI platform globally to earn the ISO 27001:2022 certification for information security.

Zapp Electric Vehicles, the UK-based maker of high-performance electric two-wheelers, has secured European patents for two key components of its i300 electric urban motorcycle, which is set for its first customer deliveries later this year.

Arrow Electronics played a pivotal role in the creation of the world’s first 7nm Network Addressable Processing Unit (NR1 NAPU), now powering NeuReality’s NR1-S AI Inference Appliance. This technology offers significant advantages in cost and energy savings compared to traditional CPU-centric systems.

Cosine, a human reasoning lab focused on developing artificial general developers, has announced a significant achievement: a 30% score on the SWE-Bench, the industry’s standard for evaluating AI-driven software engineering skills.

Definely, a legaltech startup, has unveiled Definely Vault, an AI-driven knowledge management tool poised to revolutionise how legal professionals tap into and utilise their firm's collective wisdom.

Trustly, a scaleup in open banking payments, is solidifying its foothold in the UK as it forges stronger ties with pivotal partners amid a surge in payment volumes and the widespread adoption of open banking technologies.

Small Business Saturday has unveiled plans for its upcoming national roadshow, set to shine a spotlight on small businesses across twenty-one towns and cities throughout the UK.

A recent survey of 250 UK office landlords, commissioned by workspace provider infinitSpace, has shed light on the growing trend of converting traditional office spaces into flexible or coworking environments.

MVision AI has announced that its MVision AI Segmentation (Contour+) application has received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) under the "Image Segmentation Application Software" category. This milestone enables the integration of its cutting-edge image analysis algorithms into radiation therapy planning workflows across India.

Smart Pension, a prominent workplace pension provider in the UK, announced a new commercial agreement with STM Group. This deal involves the bulk transfer of members from the Options Workplace Pension Trust (OWPT) to the Smart Pension Master Trust.

First AML, a rapidly growing player in the anti-money laundering (AML) sector, has announced its latest integration with 3E, the cloud-native financial management and business operations platform designed for law firms by Elite.

GTF Connect, the international event series run by Europe’s leading sustainable tech event GREENTECH FESTIVAL (GTF), returns to London this September.

Insurance brokerage firm Jensten has partnered with Manchester-based RegTech startup RiskSmart to enhance its risk management capabilities. After closing 2023 with 12 strategic acquisitions, including its largest yet, East Anglian-based One Broker Group, Jensten has continued its growth trajectory by announcing four more acquisitions this year, with further expansion plans in the works.

Cog ADHD, a new support app now available on iOS and Android, aims to provide relief to over 2.5 million Britons struggling to access ADHD treatment. Founded by Dom Longford, who has ADHD himself, the app connects users with a vast network of qualified therapists and clinical experts, offering an immersive platform to help manage ADHD on a daily basis.

Litera, a prominent provider of legal technology, unveiled a range of substantial updates and new features to its software suite, now incorporating more advanced integrations and user-friendly generative AI (GenAI) tools.

The latest Flexible Working Index - a report that analyses data across the flexible jobs market to track the biggest work trends now, and those set to shape the future of work – shows that demand for and supply of jobs offering flexible working hours is on the rise. 

The findings come as the new Labour Government throws its support behind more family-friendly jobs, with plans to give workers the right to flexible working hours as standard. 

Blue Skies Space, a startup specialising in space science data for the global research community, has announced the upcoming launch of its Mauve science satellite in October 2025.

Following the recent OECD revelation that the UK might plummet to the bottom of the growth league by 2025, Aramex UK, a global logistics specialist, has called on the new Labour government to enhance support for SMEs aiming to expand internationally.

Innovative payment solutions provider Ryft has announced a new partnership with Future Ticketing, a next-generation software solution for ticketing companies.

The UK government has unveiled a £32 million funding initiative targeting advancements in AI technology to mitigate train delays, expedite NHS prescription deliveries, and enhance training for construction workers.

Roboteam is launching the second batch of its acceleration program for tech startups in September 2024. This program is free and designed for sole non-developers and even developers themselves who want to establish their own business but lack funding and co-founders. The first batch took place last year and helped founders from 5 different countries to launch their ideas. 

Mindstone, an AI training platform and global community focused on practical AI applications, has partnered with Templar Advisors, a communications coaching and training firm specialising in financial services. This collaboration will grant Templar's extensive client base access to Mindstone's AI Competency Programme.

John Schulman, a key figure in the creation of OpenAI's ChatGPT, has announced his departure from the company to join Anthropic, OpenAI's primary competitor. Schulman’s exit marks the latest in a series of high-profile departures from the prominent AI company in recent months.

Zoom has introduced Zoom Docs, an AI-first collaborative document solution designed to enhance productivity and seamless teamwork within Zoom Workplace. Powered by the generative AI assistant, Zoom AI Companion, Zoom Docs is available at no additional cost to help streamline various work processes.

Kelpi is making waves in the sustainable packaging sector. The startup harnesses the power of seaweed to create bioplastic materials that challenge traditional, fossil-fuel-based plastics. These seaweed-derived coatings excel in providing robust barriers against water, oxygen, grease, and acids, making them ideal for a diverse range of packaging applications. 

Murf AI, renowned for its text-to-speech innovations, unveiled Murf Speech Gen 2, its latest and most sophisticated speech model. This new iteration marks a notable advancement in AI voice technology, blending lifelike realism with extensive customisation features designed to cater to the complex demands of modern enterprises.

The emergence of AI has brought with it unusual professional and business development opportunities, but it has also revealed the importance of tackling new socio-economic and regulatory challenges. International leaders from more than 41 countries participated in the eighth edition of Digital Enterprise Show (DES), the largest European summit dedicated to exponential technologies held in Malaga, Spain. 

Cognizant has unveiled a companion analysis to its 2023 comprehensive study with Oxford Economics. The new report, "New Work, New World: Quantifying Global Gen AI Momentum," highlights cautious optimism as a key driver for the current market adoption of generative AI across various industries and regions.

Aloha, a startup based in Cyprus, has unveiled its privacy-centric AI assistant, integrated directly into the browser and available across Windows, macOS, iOS, iPad, and Android platforms, thereby reaching millions of users globally.

Trend Micro Incorporated, a global cybersecurity company, has reached significant milestones in the expansion and growth of its cybersecurity platform, Trend Vision One. The platform now supports over 10,000 enterprise customers across the globe. Additionally, it has been extended to assist small- and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in managing their cyber risk more effectively.

A new report from the University of Northampton (UON) will scrutinise the economic strengths and weaknesses of Northamptonshire, aiming to harness the burgeoning startup scene in the county.

Hull-based healthtech company MediMusic, which has developed AI technology to prescribe music as medication to ease pain, anxiety, and stress for people with dementia, won the Startup of the Year award at a global music tech summit.

Eleven pioneering semiconductor startups, specialising in advanced AI and groundbreaking healthcare technologies, have been inducted into the ChipStart incubator, a government-endorsed support programme designed to commercialise their cutting-edge research.

Business for Health is collaborating with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to enhance the ONS Health Index. This tool aids businesses, local authorities, Integrated Care Boards, and the government in making informed decisions that promote health and economic growth. Additionally, it provides the Treasury with crucial data on the economic benefits of preventive measures.

Fiverr recently revealed its acquisition of AutoDS, a platform offering a comprehensive subscription-based solution for dropshippers. AutoDS streamlines the dropshipping process with features like product research and sourcing, inventory management, and automated fulfilment.

Sage, renowned for its accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology tailored for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), recently announced a new collaboration with Virgin StartUp, the arm of Virgin committed to aiding UK founders in their entrepreneurial journeys.

Kallikor has launched, a new venture helmed by a team with a decade of expertise in AI, simulation, and virtual world-building, has been launched to revolutionise automation and robotics adoption in addressing supply chain complexities and productivity issues.

On 1st August, With Life Cultivator was launched as the world's first incubator dedicated to supporting startups and established organisations through periods of substantial growth and transformation.

Meta and Startupbootcamp have joined forces to invigorate the MENA startup ecosystem with a focus on advanced AI technologies. Their collaborative initiative, Llama Design Drive, is tailored to meet the unique needs of startups in the region.

At an event in Paris, Alibaba.com announced its partnership as the first worldwide Olympic and Paralympic e-commerce partner to join the Athlete365 Business Accelerator programme's fourth edition. This International Olympic Committee (IOC) led initiative aimed to aid athletes in their dual-career and career-transition phases by equipping them with entrepreneurial skills.

Thredd, a swiftly growing global payments platform, has reported significant industry-wide growth in fintech-driven digital payments. Adding to this positive outlook, Thredd has also renewed its partnership with Zilch, the pioneering ad-subsidised payments network (ASPN).

South Summit, the benchmark meeting for the entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem, continues to take steps to ensure that innovation and entrepreneurship are available to everyone. In this sense, South Summit has updated its website so that people with disabilities can navigate with full accessibility and without barriers.

To promote a sustainable and prosperous future through global collaboration, Taiwan has unveiled the Go Green with Taiwan campaign. This initiative encourages participants to submit projects that demonstrate environmental or economic sustainability using products or solutions from Taiwanese companies.

New analysis by the O3 platform, an AI-powered venture classification tool from the University of Oxford and OpenOcean, has uncovered surprising trends in the UK's AI startup funding landscape. Contrary to popular belief, between 2012 and 2021, AI startups outside London received higher average funding than those within the capital.

The European Commission's NGI TrustChain initiative has allocated an additional €1.8 million in grants to top European startups to combat online misinformation and identity fraud using blockchain technology. This latest funding round, dubbed 'democracy grants,' will support 15 startups from 10 different countries, each receiving up to €117,000. The selection process was highly competitive, with 162 startups vying for the grants.

Network X, the world’s most comprehensive event for the telecommunications industry, will return this October to bring together industry experts to network, connect, and discuss some of the biggest issues and innovations in the field to date.

Network X – the world’s most comprehensive event for the B2B telco industry – has released the first look at the agenda, sessions, and big names joining the highly anticipated Network X Headliners Stage 2024. The Network X Headliners offers a unique opportunity for attendees to gain insights from leading figures and stay informed on emerging technologies and their impact on the future of telecoms.

Network X, the global event for the B2B telecommunications industry, returns to Paris this October, uniting the brightest minds and biggest innovators shaping the future of connectivity.

Flo Health, one of the most downloaded women's health apps globally, has secured over $200M in a Series C funding round from General Atlantic. This investment boosts Flo's valuation beyond $1 billion, making it the first digital women's health app to achieve unicorn status.

Litera, a company in legal technology solutions, has acquired FileTrail, a renowned name in information governance and records management.

In March, the European Parliament made history by adopting the Artificial Intelligence Act, establishing the world's first comprehensive legal framework for AI.

Milton Keynes City Council is expanding an electric car charging scheme following a successful trial, providing home charging solutions for motorists without driveways. In collaboration with Kerbo Charge, the council initially tested ‘through-pavement channels’ with six families lacking off-street parking.

Small Business Britain’s ‘Small and Mighty Enterprise Programme’ is set to return this autumn to aid Britain’s smallest firms as the economy begins to recover.

Achieving unicorn status as a founder in Europe is more challenging than winning an Olympic medal. According to a study by Antler, a leading early-stage VC firm in Europe, there are four times more European Olympians than European unicorn founders.

The UK’s premier electric vehicle (EV) event, the London EV Show, is set for an exciting comeback, focusing on startups and entrepreneurial innovation in the EV sector.

IBC2024 is now open for registration, with the global media and entertainment (M&E) industry set to converge on the RAI Amsterdam on 13-16 September. The event will bring the content and technology community together to showcase game-changing innovations, address media’s most pressing trends, and enable collaboration during the four-day exhibition and three-day IBC Conference.

Prosemino, a venture builder dedicated to developing startups that address the net-zero challenge, has announced the opening of a 2,500 sq ft lab at British Land and AustralianSuper’s Canada Water campus. Supported by a developer and in partnership with Energy Revolution Ventures, Prosemino is pioneering a new approach to creating net-zero technologies.

LYNEports has emerged as the victor of the Aerospace Xelerated (AX) Startup Pitch Competition at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow.

Sage, a pioneer in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), has announced an expansion of its partnership with Stripe, a financial infrastructure platform for businesses, to help improve cashflow management and payment processing for SMBs.

According to recent research from Google, 61% of jobs in the UK could undergo significant changes due to the integration of AI, with only a minimal number facing complete elimination.

Hiya, a provider of global voice security services, has acquired Loccus.ai, an innovator in deepfake detection technology. Loccus.ai's real-time identification of AI-generated voices sets a new industry standard for detection accuracy.

DeepL has expanded its platform by adding Traditional Chinese, increasing its total language offerings to 33. This addition enhances AI-driven, precise translations, specifically benefiting businesses and enterprises. Traditional Chinese, used by over 33 million people worldwide, marks a significant milestone for DeepL in its mission to enhance global communication.

The ODI’s latest white paper, "Building a Better Future with Data and AI," based on research conducted in early 2024, highlights critical flaws in the UK's tech infrastructure that could hinder the expected benefits of the AI boom for society, the economy, and individuals. The paper also provides recommendations for fostering diverse and equitable data-centric AI.

New Native Inc’s platform, lablab.ai, dedicated to promoting AI innovation, has announced its support for AI71, an AI company launched by Abu Dhabi's Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and VentureOne. Together, they are organising a hackathon featuring the Falcon Large Language Models.

Vanta, the pioneering trust management platform, announces that it has raised a $150 million Series C funding round at a valuation of $2.45 billion.

NEC X, the Silicon Valley innovation accelerator backed by NEC’s advanced technologies, has announced the graduation of Chekable from its prestigious Elev X! Ignite venture studio programme, in addition to a new investment from NEC X to help scale Chekable’s transformative AI solution for inventors and patent professionals.

Fireblocks, an easy-to-use platform for building blockchain applications and managing digital asset operations, announces the launch of Fireblocks for Startups, a suite of self-service tools designed specifically for startups to easily build blockchain-based products.

A recent survey conducted by workspace provider infinitSpace revealed significant trends among 250 UK office landlords.

Storyblok, the content management system (CMS) designed for all team types, recently revealed that Octopus Energy has adopted its platform to streamline content management and reduce reliance on developers.

The Sustainability Group, creators of the FuturePlus sustainability management and ESG reporting platform, has surpassed its funding targets in its latest 7-figure upround. This success comes through follow-on and new investments from Two Magnolias, high net worth individuals, and family offices.

The Hustle Awards 2024 brought the startup industry together to celebrate some of the brightest talent within the ecosystem.

Nine trailblazing British startups are set to collaborate with Digital Catapult, the BBC, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to drive innovation in the UK's creative industries. Each startup will receive £50,000 to develop AI-powered prototypes aimed at revolutionising creative production and addressing key industry challenges, ultimately boosting the UK's creative economy.

Weavr has announced the acquisition of a European e-money licence, marking a significant milestone for both the company and the embedded finance industry. This licence, granted by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) after an extensive review of Weavr’s unique operating model, is set to boost the adoption of embedded finance by B2B SaaS businesses.

The Feria del Campo 4.0 – Expo Agritech 2024 will debut in Malaga, Spain, from 26th to 28th November, introducing the inaugural AgriTech Startup Forum, a competition for entrepreneurs.

David Yeudall, a former principal mechanical engineer at a UK prosthetics company, has made notable advancements in developing upper limb prosthetics that are more comfortable, functional, and affordable. His work has been supported by Heriot-Watt University's DeepTech LaunchPad programme.

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the owner and producer of CES, the world’s most powerful tech event, is paving the way to CES 2025 with its robust fall event schedule, new exhibitors, updated CTA and CES branding—including a new CES website—and acclaimed programming.

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the owner and producer of CES, the world’s most powerful tech event, is announcing a new partnership with the European Commission’s European Innovation Council (EIC) for this year’s CES Unveiled in Amsterdam. This partnership will help identify breakout technologies from across Europe to be showcased at the event taking place in the Beurs van Berlage on October 15, 2024. The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has also renewed its long-standing partnership with CES Unveiled in Amsterdam to demonstrate the groundbreaking innovations from the Netherlands.
 

Starting today, UK businesses can take advantage of Lightyear's new business accounts, enabling them to earn interest and invest their cash through the platform.