As European VC deals hit a three-year low, competition for startups seeking funding has significantly tightened. VCs are focusing on portfolio companies and taking fewer risks with new ventures. Those who are making new investments are looking for watertight evidence of reliable routes to long-term, sustainable revenue and growth.
23.05.2023
For this specialist in New Technology, the boss of Twitter, who wants a six-month pause for artificial intelligence, is hitting the mark. There are too many ethical, economic and philosophical dangers lurking in the wake of the popular ChatGPT application.
23.05.2023
Water scarcity is a growing global issue, affecting millions of people worldwide. As Europe braces itself for yet another drought, with more than a quarter of the continent in drought as of April 2023, we are in a precarious situation. Despite examples of extreme water stress from Cape Town to Southern Europe, water demand is expected to grow by up to 55% between now and 2050, driven entirely by unsustainable water management practices in industrial and domestic uses.
22.05.2023
In large enterprises, the procurement function is responsible for sourcing and managing suppliers, negotiating contracts, and ensuring that goods and services are delivered on time and at the right price. These are processes that account for costs that often make up 50% of a company's revenue; for example, a procurement team of a company with €6B in revenue will manage approximately €3B in costs that go through the procurement process.
22.05.2023
Not many founders can predict exactly where their startup will be in ten years’ time. Plans, products, people change, with plenty of growing pains along the way. But what if your name becomes part of that pain?
17.05.2023
The debate on whether “ex-operators” make better or worse venture capital investors is tired and outdated. Instead, firms that recruit both types of candidates – those who have experience working in the tech and startup world (operators), and those from previous finance and investing backgrounds – can pull from a larger talent pool and build investment teams with a more varied set of skills. And as a bonus, that expanded talent pool itself is more diverse.
15.05.2023
With businesses and employees alike feeling the effects of inflation and the subsequent cost-of-living crisis, many employers are looking for alternative ways to engage and support staff which don’t involve salary increases. Rob Bright, CEO of Cloud Assess, offers his advice to those trying to support their staff during the financial squeeze.
12.05.2023
Compliance with regulatory requirements is fundamental to protecting businesses from data breaches. Understanding and adhering to those requirements means putting processes in place, from staff education to using the right tools to fight fraudsters. Doing so can help businesses keep their data safe and avoid reputational damage and hefty fines.
10.05.2023
We've all seen the headlines. That Open AI's watershed breakthrough spells the end of the copywriter. That it's going to radicalise content creation as we know it, making things easier, quicker and more efficient. But what about the inherent risk of over-saturation of the same type of content and its impact on SEO? Here, Richard Hayes, search director at Catalyst tells you everything you need to know about harnessing the best of generative AI while ensuring an organic visibility advantage over the competition.
10.05.2023
Fintech, or financial technology, has been one of the fastest-growing areas in the startup ecosystem in recent years. However, we’re currently seeing a significant drop-off in funding across all startups, with the fintech sector suffering most of all – fintech funding dropped faster than any other sector in Q1 2023, down 83% from the same period in 2022.
09.05.2023
Raising equity investment is a challenge for any business, but especially for underrepresented groups, the obstacles far outweigh the positive return they receive. In order for this to change there ought to be a recognition of these obstacles and a commitment from equity investors to make the change. Here equity expert and founder of Focused For Business Hatty Fawcett shares her tips for how equity investors can support underrepresented founders and close the gap.
08.05.2023
The investment industry has experienced a significant shift in recent years, with the online retail brokerage platforms transforming the ways in which people invest their money.
05.05.2023
Max Lunn talked to Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, about why London still rules the European roost when it comes to attracting high-growth businesses
03.05.2023
As a serial investor and entrepreneur, I’m constantly on the lookout for changes in the market. My brain is programmed to scan for exciting trends, innovative ideas and seismic shifts in how startups work.
03.05.2023