With 60% of startups in the UK failing in the first three years and almost three-quarters of small business owners experiencing cash flow issues, it’s not surprising to learn that almost two-thirds (65%) of small business owners wish they had known more about accountancy before starting their business.

A recent study has revealed that UK startups and small enterprises are showing a reduced inclination towards capital raising compared to their enthusiasm in 2023, alongside a trend of lower self-compensation.

Taking place 23rd to 24th April at ExCeL London, SME XPO promises to be a transformative event, bringing together leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs under one roof to network, collaborate and grow their businesses. 

With Gen Z set to constitute around a third of the world’s workforce by 2025, it’s fundamental that employers listen to their needs and create an environment where they can thrive. According to a Deloitte survey, Gen Z are uniquely motivated by environmental and social issues and make career decisions based on their values.

In today's digital age, social media has become an important platform for startups to showcase their creativity, connect with their audience, and build their brand identity. However, amidst the vast ocean of content circulating online, protecting intellectual property rights has emerged as a significant challenge for many businesses.

Platform.sh, a provider in the Platform-as-a-Service arena, has unveiled Upsun, its latest innovation crafted to serve startups and digital units within larger organisations that embrace startup-like coding and agile practices.

Over three-quarters (76%) of employers now evaluate the effects of their health and wellbeing support for staff, a study by GRiD, the group risk sector's industry body, has found.

Vento, the Italian arm of Exor Ventures, marks its second anniversary, celebrating significant contributions and achievements within the Italian startup landscape. In its two years, Vento has emerged as one of the leading entities in venture investment and venture building, driving innovation across diverse sectors and supporting the development of innovative startups.

Oriole Networks, a startup that utilises light to train Large Language Models (LLMs) a hundred times faster with only a fraction of the power, has secured £10 million in Seed funding to enhance AI performance and adoption, and address the pressing energy issue in AI.

Hailo, the chipmaker of Edge AI processors, announced it has extended its series C fundraising round with an additional investment of $120 million.

“To girls and women everywhere, I issue a simple invitation. My sisters, my daughters, my friends; find your voice.” - Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia and first elected female head of state in Africa.

According to new data from Indeed, 74% of UK businesses report that hiring has become more challenging over the past five years.

In the past year, the UK’s tech sector has witnessed the rise of several new job roles, mirroring the dynamic nature of the tech landscape. These include roles such as AI ethics experts, blockchain programmers and architects for the Metaverse. The prominence of these roles reflects how fast-changing the industry is, and how businesses need to keep up in order to stay relevant.

A website is your digital storefront – an opportunity to make a lasting impression and establish your brand in the hearts and minds of your audience and by bearing in mind these essentials, businesses looking to make a name for themselves from the get-go can ensure they create websites that not only captivate and inspire but also drive meaningful results for their business.

Towergate Health & Protection's recent study indicates a significant 91% of companies maintain a hybrid workforce. The findings suggest a mere 9% of businesses currently operate without any hybrid employees. On average, 39% of employees engage in hybrid working, with 27% of companies reporting over half their staff working in this mode.

Change-makers from government, business, and civil society from all over the world will come together to pave the way for solutions that enhance women’s roles in innovation.

Diamfab, a deeptech firm specialising in semiconductor diamonds, has secured its inaugural funding of €8.7 million.

Metaview, an AI assistant designed to eliminate administrative workload and inefficiency from recruitment processes, has secured £7 million in a funding round spearheaded by Plural.

Like Digital, a global digital agency with offices in the UK and UAE, has partnered with AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading expansion platform, to expand its operations into Saudi Arabia as it plans to increase its footprint across the region and beyond.

REMY founder Abeer Iqbal entered the Den, and despite intense grilling and no investment, left with a six-figure job offer from Peter Jones.