The ‘commute’ was falling out of favour prior to the pandemic, as an increasing number of office workers started to embrace flexible working.

On 1st September, Electronic Specifier will be bringing the latest products and technology trends together at the ‘Electronic Specifier Expo’. Attendees of this virtual event will have the opportunity to hear from a wide variety of industry experts who will be sharing the latest products, technologies and solutions in the industry, as well as contributing to an informative programme of webinars and motivating talks.

UK fintech R8 is rebranding as Mode in order to bring together the Group’s separate businesses under one common identity. Mode has also announced the appointment of ex-Alipay executive, Rita Liu, to the leadership team. Rita will help advance the Group’s vision of transitioning the world to a truly digital financial system that reduces friction and costs for consumers and merchants, and that gives digital assets the place they deserve in today’s modern economy.

A London-based entrepreneur has launched a startup to target the industry of high-cost lending.

A new resource for anyone who runs their own business - or is thinking of doing so - has been launched by one of the UK’s most prolific supporters of micro businesses. The Happipreneur - Why #MicroBizMatters? is 2020’s ultimate guide for enterprising people, dedicated to helping ambitious entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to achieve happiness and success by controlling their own destiny.

Phos, the fintech behind the first-ever software Point of Sale (POS), has today announced the extension of its partnership with Mastercard to introduce their innovative mobile payment solution. 12,000 small businesses across 12 European countries will now be able to accept contactless payments using their Android mobile devices, with this number set to increase over the coming months. This will allow merchants to digitalise their payment processes and offer more payment options to their customers, with the potential to drive sales and grow their businesses.

A new study, commissioned by business bank, Allica Bank has looked to quantify exactly how much UK small businesses should be re-investing to succeed post-COVID-19. The study analysed data from over 1,000 companies and ranked their success on a scale that evaluated factors including productivity, growth, consistency and outlook.

An empowering new healthtech app called Blueheart has launched to democratise access to sex therapy and help people overcome sexual dysfunction to have healthy personal relationships.

Concerns have been raised about van driver safety after Department of Transport data revealed road traffic has risen to 83% of pre-lockdown levels. It is estimated demand for home delivery has increased by 100% due to COVID-19 as online sales have become a lifeline for small businesses. 

Gaming platform 3D Aim Trainer celebrated the first anniversary since its founding in June. The company, based in Dendermonde in East Flanders, Belgium, started as a passion project by competitive gamer Bernd Matthys and has since become a global success.

Manchester tech startup Fractory has announced that it has developed a first-in-the-world cloud manufacturing solution, becoming the only platform capable of instantly processing 3D models for pricing tube cutting without the need for manufacturing drawings. 

Santander UK is currently running the Santander Universities Emerging Entrepreneurs programme for 2020, bringing together budding entrepreneurs from across the UK and offering them start-up support as well as a chance of receiving up to £30,000 of funding at a virtual pitching competition final in September.

Local businesses are core to our communities, but the impact of COVID-19 has been tough on business owners and the surrounding community. As part of Google’s commitment to supporting local businesses in the UK, new research conducted by YouGov on behalf of Google has been released today which reveals the positive changes in people’s connections to their local community sparked by lockdown and that up to date online information is key to reigniting consumer confidence. 

It’s troubling times for industries around the world who are attempting to negotiate the impact of a global pandemic and - for those in the UK and EU, the uncertainty around Brexit.

Speechmatics and Prosodica, a provider of innovative voice and audio analysis technology and subsidiary of Vail Systems, have announced their partnership to deliver better caller experiences to enhance customer care and improve customer experiences.

A new wellness and health startup has set out to tackle sleep disorders and anxiety with a new product known as the weighted blanket.

George at Asda, UK supermarket clothing brand, has partnered with delivery experience platform, Sorted as part of a trial aimed at providing real time updates to improve post-purchase tracking for George customers.

Global provider of Real Time Locating Systems (RTLS), Quuppa has announced its first ever round of funding, worth €20m.

For freelancers and small business owners, mentors can help take your career to the next level. As such, Tide explores what to look for in an ideal mentor, and how to successfully find and approach one.

Retailer and wholesaler, BWG Foods, has become the first retail and FMCG business in Ireland to launch an innovative Scan, Pay & Go checkout technology, developed by MishiPay, as part of a new pilot scheme taking place across its retail network.