The latest Work Index from the future of work experts, Flexa, has analysed data from throughout 2024 to reveal the biggest work trends of the year, and those set to shape how we work in 2025.

Rumours circulating suggest that AllBright, the women-only members’ club, has entered administration.

MintNeuro, a startup working in scalable, low-power semiconductor technology for minimally-invasive neural implant applications, has announced that it is the recipient of three major funding awards from the UK government’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) in collaboration with leading institutions.

The account freezing order (AFO) is a legal power that UK authorities can use to hold and recover funds that they believe are connected to criminal activities. When authorities believe that certain funds are the proceeds of a crime, or may be intended for use in committing a crime, they can secure an AFO to restrict access to these funds. The AFO will freeze a bank or building society account and prevent any access to the funds within, and this can last for up to two years while investigators work to determine their source or purpose.

The GSMA, in partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has launched the GSMA Innovation Fund for Impactful AI, to empower small and growing enterprises in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) across Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.

Intryc, the platform transforming customer support quality assurance (QA) through AI-powered automation, has announced a $3.1 million seed funding round. The oversubscribed round saw participation from General Catalyst and scouts from Sequoia, alongside existing investors Episode 1 and 500 Emerging Europe, bringing the company's total funding to $4.2 million. The announcement follows the company's successful completion of Y Combinator's Summer 2024 cohort.

Crafting and executing a robust operational strategy can be the difference between a promising startup and a thriving, sustainable business. Operational strategy is not just a buzzword but the backbone of efficiency, scalability, and long-term success. Whether in the early stages or scaling up, having a well-defined approach to operations is essential.

South Summit, the leading international event for the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem, co-organised by IE University, has extended the registration deadline for its Startup Competition in Madrid until February 28. Startups interested in participating can register using the following link.

Mountside Ventures has announced the selection of Europe' first Emerging VC Manager Programme.

NatWest Group has made a minority investment in Serene, an early-stage AI platform dedicated to tackling financial vulnerability. Through real-time customer insights driven by AI and behavioural science, the platform detects early signs of financial distress and predicts risks to help financial institutions deliver personalised, timely support at scale.

Twenty-seven percent of employers cite living with serious ill-health, including cancer, as a concern for their Baby-boomer staff, 23% of employers have the same concern for Gen X staff, 13% for Millennial employees, and 11% for their Gen Z workforce, according to new research conducted during January 2025 by GRiD and released today for World Cancer Day (4 February 2025).

Today’s startups face the typical set of challenges when it comes to launching a new company in a crowded market. With a niche product or service, you need to cultivate a strong brand identity with a marketing campaign that will be visible. Speaking to potential customers, and gaining their trust are all increasingly important to make your mark entering a market. 

Rachel Jones, Founder of leading anti-counterfeiting organisation SnapDragon Monitoring, gives her top tips to businesses on how to protect intellectual property from criminals.

Following rumours that AllBright entered into administration, news has broken that the organisation’s assets have been acquired by a Cain International investee company, to enable the long-term growth of the business. Cain International remains committed to the management team, long-term strategy, and of the organisation.

When money is cheap, we want AI to be more human, or even more than human. Capitalists may even secretly dream of replacing their meddlesome employees with bots while claiming otherwise.  

Sidekick, the wealth management platform for the financially ambitious, has launched Custom Index portfolios explicitly designed to help Big Tech employees invest more strategically.

Growth is every new business’s dream. Expanding market share, increasing customer numbers, boosting revenue, and driving profit are ambitions that drive entrepreneurs. But in the quest to achieve these milestones, many businesses focus heavily on acquiring customers – any customers – because it feels rewarding and tangible.

Forty-one percent of UK managers have stated they’d look to implement ‘hushed hybrid’ to keep staff happy despite greater calls from leaders for a return-to-office.

The UK set a new record of 5.63 million active companies registered with Companies House at the end of 2024, an increase of 3% on the year before, according to the NatWest and Beauhurst New Startup Index.

Every year on 4th February, World Cancer Day serves as a global reminder of the urgent need for innovation in cancer awareness, detection, treatment, and care. With millions affected worldwide, and the stat sitting at one in two people likely to develop cancer within their lifetimes, the role of technology-driven solutions has never been more critical.