In light of Earth Day 2022, new research suggests that although UK climate technology is playing a crucial role in tackling global climate change, challenges in accessing funding and a lack of support from the government is impeding the development of the industry.

Despite feeling overwhelmed about how to take climate action, research from Ecologi, a climate action platform has shown that eight in ten business owners want to be greener, just don’t know where to start. 

You’re reading this because you care. Because you want to make a difference, but the harsh reality is that you care more about your day job, the bottom-line, fund-raise, your next hire. Because that pays the bills and keeps the roof over everyone’s head. Once that’s all done, then you can worry about being sustainable.

Pitch, the collaborative presentation platform for modern teams, has introduced recordings, a feature that gives every team the power of collaborative video storytelling right within Pitch.

Futr, the live chat and customer service chatbots leader, has secured new funding from Blackfinch Ventures, a technology venture capital firm, and existing investors to continue its mission of using artificial intelligence to disrupt the delivery of customer service.

Research from XpertHR reveals that 67% of organisations say that their HR department does not currently gather enough meaningful data to measure HR performance within their business

SafetyWing, the Norwegian startup building a global social safety net, has announced the closing of a $35m series B funding round led by leading European growth investor Kinnevik with full participation from existing investors Creandum and byFounders. The insurance investor Mundi Ventures also joined this round. The funding follows an $8m series A funding round last year, led by Creandum.

EMJ has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. 

A dog walking app designed to give dog walking businesses a head start has launched a crowdfunding campaign to invest in blockchain technology and support its impressive growth and development strategy.

Vaayu, the climate tech start-up that helps retailers reduce their carbon footprint in real-time, has closed an $11.5m seed funding round led by Atomico, with follow on from CapitalT and participation from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian’s firm Seven Seven Six, along with a select group of angel investors including Cristina Stenbeck, Chairperson of the Zalando Supervisory Board and non-Executive Director of Spotify and Bryant Chou, co-founder and CTO of Webflow. As part of this round of investment, Atomico Partner Terese Hougaard will join Vaayu’s board, making it 75% female. 

PropTech startup Bright Spaces launched its first subsidiary abroad, in the UK. The startup, which creates advanced, end-to-end digital leasing platforms for commercial and residential real estate, already has two clients from the UK.

If you use a managed service provider (MSP) for your small business’s IT needs, you may have noticed that your monthly spend with them has increased. This is because Microsoft has raised the price of the monthly subscription licence for the Office 365 suite. 

This Earth Day, Gaia’s Farming Co. is urging people to make a sustainable swap from dairy to its deliciously creamy ‘Hemp and Oat M*lk’ and extra chocolatey ‘Hemp and Coco M*lk’.

The best way to understand how an industry works is to get involved in whatever capacity you can. For example, if you want to open a shop, go and work in one. Doing this will give you an insight into what it takes to run a shop on a day-to-day basis. It will give you an understanding of what customers want, the potential pitfalls and the products that sell best. Working in a shop doesn’t mean you’ll make a success of your retail business, but it will give you a solid foundation to build on.

The long-standing Leeds Digital Festival is returning this month for a “mini-fest” focusing on innovation in the sustainable tech sector. Ahead of the usual two-week event in September, the Festival’s organisers are showcasing the many firms and individuals who are trailblazers in the world of using technology for good.

AMLo Biosciences (AMLo), a medical device company spun out of Newcastle University specialising in the early detection of skin cancers, is pleased to announce it has secured significant further investment totalling £2.45m.

Arbor Steel has raised £200,000 in a pre-seed funding round to bring its digital identity citadel to customers. Developed following a £100,000 InnovateUK Grant, the platform provides a secure and efficient way to share personal data and interact with services whilst maintaining control.

The first thing I ask my employees during our monthly 1:1's is 'how are you doing?'. Our sessions are 90% revolved around what that person is dealing with, their workload, their home life - are they struggling? If so, why? 80-90% of someone's output is based on their mindset, so if you don't know what is happening in your teams' minds you can't possibly expect to accurately judge their performance or potential. As its stress awareness month this April here are some honest thoughts on stress in the workplace.

SlothMove, which offers users a 'stress-free' change of address and home-setup service when moving home, was only formed three years ago. The business flourished during the pandemic as property sales soared and now legal giants Taylor Rose MW have acquired a stake in the business, which has also been championed by former Dragon’s Den star Piers Linney. 

Starting a business isn’t an easy task. In fact, developing your idea and encouraging growth can be a journey filled with adversity.