Without a doubt, the pandemic has changed our economy forever; and it may not have felt like the most obvious year to launch a business, but with Britons locked down entrepreneurial spirit seems to be inflated as 2020 saw a 12.3% increase in new businesses, the highest growth on record.

HMRC’s recently-released annual Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) statistics made for interesting reading. While the 2019/2020 numbers don’t offer a full account of Covid-19’s impact on the market, funding from EIS rose to £1.905bn - up from £1.867bn in 2018/2019 - with SEIS funding marginally down, from £171m in 2018/2019 to £170m in 2019/2020. Combined, EIS and SEIS have now helped over 45,000 startups receive over £25bn in funding. A testament not only to the two schemes, but to the UK’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The latest data from XpertHR finds that almost all organisations (95%) are taking action to boost diversity and inclusion in recruitment - an increasingly vital way to demonstrate organisational values and commitments to diversity and inclusion.  

Impact Central is a six month accelerator and mentor programme for impact-driven startups focused on rebuilding our society and environment. 

Technology incubator SETsquared Bristol, led by the University of Bristol, is relaunching its Breakthrough Bursary for the third year, continuing its commitment to promoting inclusion and equal opportunities in tech. 

Europe’s most creative new pet care businesses have been invited to partner with Purina for the latest edition of its landmark innovation accelerator. Powered by the Purina Accelerator Lab, Unleashed is now inviting applications for its third consecutive year.

Referencing service provider Vouch has increased their workforce by 46% in the last six months, despite uncertainty within the sector triggered by the pandemic. The company now employs 35 people, up from 24 back in March, with the new hires ranging from technology development to referencing and sales.

New Climate Accelerator will start in Cambridge in January 2022, working with start-ups who have innovative solutions for addressing the climate emergency.

Technology Venture Capitalist’s have invested a record £20bn into British startups this year, and with economic recovery at the front of everyone’s mind, there is, surprisingly, a remarkable level of optimism emerging from the embers of the pandemic.

Shruti Chawla and Johanna Bolinder are on a mission. As Head of Marketing and Head of Health and Sustainability at Spoon Guru, they are part of the startups quest to make food shopping smarter and easier for everyone.

With it being International Stress Awareness Week (1-5 November), Alex Hattingh shares five tips for overcoming occupational stress, a huge concern across every business.

As His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson met today at COP26, Rolls-Royce and Qatar Foundation announced they will enter into a long-term partnership to create a global centre for climate technology innovation.

Personal wellbeing is a key factor driving entrepreneurs to leave traditional jobs and set up their own businesses. This is a core finding of a new research study into the motivations of new business owners.

UK-based Unlock, a SaaS-enabled marketplace to build culture among remote teams, has raised a $2m seed round.

Freedom business summit 2021, the global summit for those looking for ways to take their freedom back, mitigate geopolitical risks, protect their wealth and build a location independent lifestyle is returning this November. 

The past 18 months have been challenging but, as some might say, through adversity comes opportunity. The pandemic has given many people the chance to reconsider their position - what they’re doing and where they want to go - so it comes as no surprise that 2020 saw a record number of startups.

Building on the success of the Virtual Interiors Event in February, which attracted almost 4,000 commercial interiors professionals from 83 countries, and a thought leadership festival in September, which saw over 800 ticket registrations, a second VI:INSIGHTS is due to take place 6th - 10th December.  

Europe’s largest business show is back for 2021, returning to the ExCeL London on the 24th and 25th November, with the launch of co-located shows including Working From Home Live and Retrain Expo. Helping 25,000 SMEs and startups to grow and develop, the 43rd edition of The Business Show will reveal the secrets of the business adaption, innovation and survival as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Business leaders have urged political leaders to use next week’s COP26 summit as the 'catalyst for change' and to help turbocharge a eco-revolution among UK firms. Global leaders will converge on Glasgow next week as the world unites to tackle climate change. Now, ahead of the conference, business leaders and experts have set out the policies they’d like to see delivered to help them trade in a more sustainable way. 

Real Business Rescue reveals an almost 10% improvement in SMEs in significant distress following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.