UK and Netherlands-based cybersecurity and compliance company Naq has successfully closed a €6 million Series A funding round to accelerate its mission to help health technology companies meet essential NHS standards amid rising cyber threats and regulatory delays.

A new survey from The Open University reveals a growing dilemma for UK businesses: almost all leaders (96%) see growth as central to their strategy, particularly in the context of the UK Government’s priority mission in achieving strong, secure, and sustainable economic growth by 2035. Yet nearly three in four admit it often comes at the expense of workforce diversity and inclusion goals (72%) and sustainability and net zero efforts (71%).

Launching a startup in the UK has never been more attractive. In 2024, founders raised over $17 billion, making the UK Europe’s leading hub for early-stage ventures and home to 30+ unicorns. But behind the buzz lies a stark reality: up to 90% of startups can fail – and for many, the first 90 days can determine the trajectory.

This November, women from every walk of life will gather for a one-of-a-kind event that redefines what empowerment truly means. The WomenIN Festival 2025, happening on 13–14 November at Cape Town’s iconic Newlands Cricket Ground, is more than a celebration – it's a catalyst for connection, change, and collective power.

New research from Kore.ai reveals that a shortage of specialised AI talent is slowing UK enterprises’ ability to scale and realise return on investment on AI pilots. Despite overall optimism into AI implementation across enterprises, over a third of UK businesses (36%) are faced with a lack of AI expertise when implementing a new AI solution, acting as a handbrake on progress.

ASML has invested €1.3 billion in Mistral’s Series C funding round as the lead investor. This has resulted in ASML holding an approximate 11% share on a fully diluted basis in Mistral AI. The total funding for the Series C round totals €1.7 billion, at a €11.7 billion post-money valuation.

Another season, another HR buzzword, welcome to the age of ‘Job Hugging’. Between mass redundancies, a tough job market, and low pay growth, employee behaviour has fundamentally shifted away from the apathy of quiet quitting and into fear mode. Today’s workforce is holding tight to their current roles out of a desire for stability amid uncertainty.

Scintil Photonics has completed a $58 million (€50 million) Series B funding round led by Yotta Capital Partners and NGP Capital, with participation from NVIDIA. The round includes new participation from BNP Paribas Développement, alongside existing investors including Supernova Invest, Bpifrance Digital Venture, Innovacom, Bosch Ventures, Applied Ventures ITIC Innovation Fund (AVITIC), underscoring continued confidence in the company’s technology platform and market opportunity.

AI is increasingly becoming the workplace’s first line of support, with a third (33%) of Gen Z professionals now using AI tools for work-related questions before asking their manager or colleagues, according to new findings from global talent solutions partner Robert Walters.

The Business AI Alliance, spearheaded by 4most, was launched on the 9th September at a Parliamentary Reception. The new alliance brings together sector-based organisations committed to shaping national AI policy with a focus on growth and influence, providing much needed SME representation in the face of big tech dominance and aspiring to a clear, positive narrative around AI’s economic potential for the UK.

The startup dream is sold as a sprint to success, a flash of inspiration, a flurry of funding rounds, and an eventual big exit. But the reality? It is a long game that will stretch your resilience, test your decision-making, and reshape who you are as a leader.

Messium, a UK agritech innovator using hyperspectral satellites and AI-driven crop growth models to solve the challenge of nitrogen efficiency in farming, has secured a £3.3 million seed investment.

When you run a small or medium-sized business, it’s tempting to believe that building your own technology is the best way to stay in control. After all, nobody knows your customers like you do. Surely the smartest move is to develop the tools you need, tailor-made for your market.

 One Carbon World (OCW) will be the official climate impact partner of the upcoming Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) taking place in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 October. 

BT has opened its test and integration facility, the largest in Europe, to cybersecurity innovator Sitehop to test its quantum-resistant encryption technology on the replica BT network, in a first of its kind proof-of-concept.

Perfat Technologies, a food deeptech company pioneering healthy and functional fat alternatives and a member of EIT Food Rising Food Stars, has raised €2.5 million in Series A financing to scale production, grow its team, and launch innovative healthy lipid-based solutions, to address the problem of harmful saturated and tropical fats without compromising taste or texture.

Start Up Loans reports that this summer has seen the highest number of loans taken out by founders over the past four summers. This growth comes despite reports indicating low levels of business confidence, highlighting that UK small business founders accessing the programme remain undeterred and keen to start up new ventures.

Confidence has become one of the most important currency markers in the workplace. Yet recent research – conducted by social research agency Hark - reveals that one in 10 children already feel a complete lack of confidence by the age of 13 in their ability to build a future career.

Digital Catapult has announced that its Black Founders Programme has returned for a third year in partnership with Sony Music UK and Sony Music Publishing UK and, in a first for the programme, in collaboration with broadcaster Channel 4. 

Most founders I meet believe PR is only possible when you have “real news”: a funding round, a product launch, a partnership, an acquisition. The problem? These moments don’t happen every month. In fact, for most startups, they’re rare.