The latest research from The Global Payroll Alliance (GPA), reveals that since Labour’s Autumn Statement in October 2024, the number of PAYE staff in the UK has fallen by -334,748, equivalent to -67,000 people going off the books every month as businesses battle to reduce overheads under the strain of increased staffing costs.

The 45th PODIM Conference, one of the most influential startup and technology events in the Alpe-Adria region and the Western Balkans, taking place from May 12 to 14
in Maribor, once again gathered the crème de la crème of the startup and tech world. The three-day event attracted over 1,000 participants from around the globe, 58 venture capital funds and other types of private investors—who are estimated to manage investment funds worth more than €8.2 billion earmarked for investing in startups—188 startups from 23 countries, more than 80 speakers from all over the world, and many successful entrepreneurs. In addition to a rich program, more than 1,300 one-on-one meetings were held at the event. Yesterday’s final event of the Podim Pitching Competition also brought a winner – the startup infrared.city from Austria.

Kickscale, an AI-powered sales and intelligence platform, has raised a €2.1 million Seed round to scale its business in Europe and later to the Middle East and Asia. 

A screening process that removes bias in VC investment decisions identifies more successful exits and fewer shut-downs than traditional methods, according to a new white paper that has analysed thousands of companies over 25 years.

The South Summit Madrid 2025 Startup Competition, co-organised with IE University, will experience its most international edition with up to 23 countries represented among the 100 finalist startups. A figure that exceeds the 16 nations of last year's edition and reinforces South Summit's muscle as the main global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation worldwide.