IQ is undeniably a strong predictor of success, and there’s no way around that. It plays a critical role at a global level, especially in determining early career opportunities. For instance, not everyone has the IQ to complete a medical degree or excel as a computer engineer.

Given how fast-paced the world of startups is, keeping an eye on the newest market trends and staying ahead of them isn’t just smart play – it’s an essential element of success and survival. In the US alone, there are roughly 4.7 million businesses that launch every year. Globally? It’s hard to even begin counting.

Neurent Medical, the Irish MedTech company at the forefront of treatments for chronic inflammatory sino-nasal diseases, has secured funding from the Claret European Growth Capital Fund III (CEGCF III).

Metaview has released its 2024 Year in Interviews Trends Report, revealing the topics and trends that dominated hiring conversations in 2024.

Business owners plan to increase their use of outsourcing services over the next year, according to research carried out by Evelyn Partners. 

The majority of employers (55%) take a passive approach to encouraging the utilisation of the health and wellbeing support they offer, according to research by Towergate Employee Benefits.

Spain’s innovation ecosystem strives to keep pace with global rivals, according to the new ‘Tech Scaleup Spain. Keeping the pace of innovation in an evolving global scenario 2024 Report’ that Mind the Bridge (with the support of ACCIONA and Crunchbase) presented at Tech Spirit Barcelona, shedding light on the state of Spain’s innovation ecosystem and its positioning in the global race for technological leadership.

The CIPD is urging the UK Government to consult thoroughly with employers to ensure that proposed changes to employment law don’t negatively impact organisations or workers.

New research from Intuit QuickBooks uncovers a potential surge in entrepreneurial activity across the UK, marking 2025 as a pivotal year for self-employment growth.

In 2022-23, approximately 801,006 companies were registered in the UK, showcasing a rapidly growing entrepreneurial landscape.

The University of Salford’s Centre for Sustainable Innovation has received £101,000 of funding from Innovate UK, to help educate SMEs across Greater Manchester on the intersection of AI and cybersecurity.

Energy Revolution Ventures, an energy tech venture capital firm targeting the multi-trillion-dollar opportunity in electrification, has closed an $18 million seed and series A fund focused on breakthrough deeptech.

Switzerland Global Enterprise, the official Swiss agency for export and investment promotion, and Presence Switzerland, the Swiss government marketing and communication agency, announced that swisstech will be showcasing 10 of Switzerland’s most innovative startups at CES Unveiled, held before the start of CES 2025 on Sunday, January 5th, 2025, from 5:00-8:30pm at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, Mandala Bay Convention Centre, Shoreline Exhibit Hall in Las Vegas.

The startup ecosystem in 2024 has proven to be a hotbed of innovation, with emerging companies tackling global challenges and shaping the future of technology, sustainability, and industry.

When was the last time you gave your business a gift?

At Christmas we often think about giving gifts to our nearest and dearest. Well, is your business not something you care deeply about? Why not give your business some gifts this year. Often, we can get so busy this time of year, wrapping presents but also wrapping up as much as we possibly can before we take some well-deserved time off over the festive season. In all that business, we forget to take a step back and see what our business may need, or what may be of significant benefit for our businesses this year.

Despite Christmas having a reputation for being a quiet time for fundraising, many founders will continue negotiating rounds over the holiday season.

As we approach 2025, personal branding is no longer optional for entrepreneurs. It has evolved into a necessary component to achieve personal and professional success.

With registered company insolvencies the highest they have been for a decade, and 50% of new businesses failing within three years, many SMEs face financial trouble; to the point of having to fold. This usually comes down to finances. Many small business owners don't have any accounting qualifications, may never have seen a cash flow statement before, or understand the nuances in respect of tax and VAT. Michael Steed, President of AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians), shares the ‘danger’ signs small businesses need to look out for which indicate they may be in difficulty, and what they can do if they find themselves in financial trouble.

UK startups face a stark challenge: early-stage graduation rates, from Seed to Series A funding, have dropped dramatically from 12.5% in 2020 to just 4.5%. This trend highlights deep-set vulnerabilities in the UK’s startup ecosystem, compounded by a notable slowdown in new tech company incorporations. These shifts have serious implications for the UK’s ability to foster innovation and economic growth.

Tips and tricks from an investor, a startupper, and an event manager.