Tech Nation, the scaleup network for entrepreneurs, has launched its inaugural Scale Ratio, which compares the number of seed stage, early growth and late growth companies in the UK’s tech ecosystems.

Ten of the UK’s most promising startups working with immersive technologies have graduated from Digital Catapult’s Augmentor programme, with a number of investment ready, disruptive and commercially focused applications ready to market.

The pandemic has created challenges that many businesses have never seen before. Beyond the initial financial strain many endured, the ongoing restrictions have had a lasting impact on the way the UK workforce approaches the working week.

What a difference a year makes. In the last 12 months, your company has no doubt changed beyond recognition. Long time employees are likely missing each other and may not have even met the newbies hired via Zoom or Teams in the midst of the pandemic.

EverUp, the savings app offering tax-free cash prizes, has launched in beta in the UK today to help millions of people to save money in a fun and exciting way. EverUp encourages and rewards good financial habits, through in-app games with real cash prizes.

Included VC, the first-of-its-kind global initiative building diversity within venture capital, has in a collaborative partnership with 11 funds from around the world, kicked off its Fellowship II. It is the only offering on the market that offers a nine-month, fully funded Fellowship to diverse individuals globally who are looking to enter the VC ecosystem.

New data has shown that December was one of 2020’s worst months for small businesses in the UK, according to data based on hundreds and thousands of small businesses.

With the country now in its third and hopefully final lockdown there are many businesses unable to operate from their usual premises under current government guidelines, many employees have reverted to working remotely from their homes.

The journey to becoming a technical founder is not as clear-cut as other career paths. Some careers have clear cut journeys. Doctors and nurses can expect university degrees, post-university education, residencies, clinics and more. Lawyers need to pass exams after post-university education.

Miso Robotics, the startup transforming the food service industry with intelligent automation, has announced the extension of its Series C round following high demand on the SeedInvest crowdfunding platform

Almost a third of Brits are curious about investing in cryptocurrency but are too baffled by it to take the plunge, according to a new national survey.

It’s a complicated time to be a business owner, whether it’s a multinational company or a small enterprise. But while larger companies are having to make systematic changes to accommodate lockdowns, social distancing, and the other realities of COVID-19, many small businesses have been left adrift without clear guidance on how to proceed.

Data from Innovate Finance has revealed that the UK fintech sector received $4.1bn of investment across 408 deals in 2020. This places the UK second in the world for capital raised, and first in Europe. Although fintech investment fell year-on-year by 9%, this can be attributed due to the pandemic and subsequent economic turbulence.

Make no mistake, this is a challenging time for start-up businesses looking to make a splash. When we finally emerge blinking into the light after this most recent UK lockdown, we will still be operating in a business landscape that has drastically changed in the last twelve months.

The New York, Berlin and Tel Aviv based-startup, Dynamic Infrastructure has won its first contract in Australia and will deploy a novel AI-driven predictive technology for maintaining dozens of bridges and infrastructure assets in Horsham Rural City Council in the state of Victoria.

Fashion production software company, SupplyCompass has announced its next webinar on 27th January at 16:30 GMT, delving into ‘How 3D will shape the future of the fashion industry’. The webinar will examine the potential for 3D technology to transform the current fashion industry and how 3D can become a more widely accessible tool that can be adopted by big and small fashion brands alike.

Businessman Simon Dolan is today launching a new campaign which is calling on the Government to scrap the payback of emergency COVID-19 loans taken out by crisis-hit SMEs.

Workspace accelerator, Huckletree has launched a new quarterly series, Huckletree VC Connect, which sees them partner with leading VC firms to help founders who are looking to raise in the near future with informal and personalised advice. 

London & Partners have announced a new partnership for the Mayor’s International Business Programme (MIBP) with Ciklum, a leading technology partner, to help London startups and scaleups expand internationally.

The past 12 months have presented unprecedented challenges for small businesses. Many have undergone severe hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, and some have closed completely. Even in this harshest of climates others have been able to keep trading, startup or even thrive.