Xero has launched a new matchmaking tool to match small business owners with the right accountant or bookkeeper based on their industry, maturity and growth expertise.

New research from Uswitch has revealed that crowdfunding sites have helped fund 6 million projects in the past year and are now central to many business plans. It is becoming more popular than ever around the world to use crowdfunding as an investment source for businesses. Not only does it have its financial benefits, using crowdfunding is a great way to gain visibility and build a customer base for startups.

As Boris confirms lockdown will last until 8th March, and the idea of homeschooling continues to overwhelm working families around the UK, it is important employers are providing extra support and care for those suffering after nearly a year of remote working.

Wolves Summit has confirmed its return from 24th to 26th March 2021 in Warsaw with two days dedicated to startups, investors, and executives from the tech ecosystem. The hybrid format that made the two previous editions a success will be enriched with new digital experiences including multi-stage and matchmaking functionalities, an Investor Podium, dedicated Scaleup, Accelerator, and Community Partner Stages.

WeWork has launched Growth Campus, a new initiative aimed at giving a boost to the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The pandemic has presented a huge challenge for growth-companies: from startups to scaleups, to corporate incubation projects, the crisis has stifled momentum.

With record numbers of job losses as the coronavirus takes a continuing toll, employers and employees are being reminded of the need for clarity on their responsibilities and rights in Settlement Agreements and redundancies.

The challenges presented by COVID-19 have been a force for good in some organisations where it has accelerated a digital-first mindset and driven some positive developments.

Michelle Cowan and Bren Adams, the Founders behind Yorkshire-based tech start up, Justo Software and socialsendr, have launched a crowdfunding campaign via Go Fund Me to raise £25,000 to drive forward development of their second social media platform aimed at soletraders, freelancers and small businesses.

The world of finances, mortgages and debt is a veritable labyrinth of confusion, especially as clear education on how to navigate it is so few and far between. The startup Domeg, is setting out to do something about this.

OVHcloud today announced Sweden’s managed services provider Elastisys as an Advance Partner. This partnership will enable customers of both companies to access enterprise grade security-focused container services that are fully EU compliant.

European Health-Tech Innovation Week, sponsored by GIANT Health, is taking place from 17-21 May 2021 and is five one day hybrid conferences and exhibitions across Europe’s leading healthcare innovation regions; successfully driving improved healthcare outcomes and business collaboration by showcasing and championing Europe’s best healthtech innovations.

Small firms are being urged not to miss the deadline for this year’s Small Awards, a nationwide search for the smallest and greatest firms in the UK, across all sectors. Launched in 2017 by Small Business Britain, the annual awards have eleven unique categories across everything from longstanding family businesses and innovation-led startups, to social enterprise champions.

Starting a business is one of the most rewarding paths in life. The moments of elation will of course seamlessly morph into moments of aggravation and despair. But ask any entrepreneur, and there’s nothing they’d rather be doing.

Private capital raising platform, HUBX, today announced the completion of a £4.2m funding round with the closure of the second tranche of financing. European B2B technology venture fund Basinghall Partners, together with Barclays, ELITE and individual investors, participated in the fintech startup’s latest funding round.

University of Bristol multi-award-winning tech incubator, SETsquared Bristol, has seen its 80 startup and scaleup companies establish record leadership diversity.

Winners of the 3rd Global Finale of the Global Startup Awards, the world’s largest independent startup ecosystem competition, have been just announced on 27th January 2021. Global Startup Awards was founded in 2012 in Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Preparation is essential when it comes to data protection. Many start-up organisations are unsure how to recognise a breach, how to react, and how to respond. Failure to report a violation is usually down to a lack of knowledge, expertise, and data protection training. 

Workplace wellbeing has always been a necessity for productivity. However in the post-COVID environment, it will be more important than ever before. Where once upon a time the focus was on ergonomic workstations, air quality and mental wellness – all still valid areas of concern - there is now the added emphasis on providing an environment where the risk of disease transmission is as low as possible and importantly, where employees believe it to be so.

According to the World Health Organisation, 66% of the world’s population is expected to live in cities by 2050. This makes cities a perfect hub to transform society and rebuild a world with rich biodiversity and a balanced climate.

People across the country are being encouraged to show some love for small businesses as they face another challenging month in lockdown. With a government review of current restrictions not due until 22nd February, Small Business Britain issued the call ahead of this weekend’s Valentine’s Day.