Fintech predictions 2016: Blockchain and bitcoin unicorns will give way to “thoroughbreds” December 13, 2015 More good news for bitcoin, and the blockchain technology that it builds upon: At least five startups with $1bn valuations are expected to emerge within the next year, according to M&A advisers Magister Advisors. The advisers have been gazing into their crystal ball for next year, and foresee good times ahead for bitcoin firms, predicting [...]
Which countries are London companies hiring tech talent from? San Francisco, even with the capital’s 37 per cent smaller salaries December 10, 2015 London's search for the top tech talent goes beyond the capital, and even the country, with a quarter of jobs filled by someone from outside the UK. Candidates in San Francisco, the epicentre of technology and home to Silicon Valley giants such as Google and Facebook, received more offers from London companies than those in any other location. [...]
Sequoia Capital just made a big bet on insurance tech with $13m Lemonade investment December 8, 2015 Sequoia Capital, one of the world's leading venture capital firms which was an early backer of Apple, Google and Yahoo, has invested millions in a fintech startup with designs on disrupting the insurance world. New York-based Lemonade, a p2p insurance company which has yet to launch, has landed $13m (£8.7m) from the Sequoia and London-based VC firm Aleph Capital. It's [...]
Geek speak: The tongue-in-cheek guide to startup talk, from unicorn and elevator pitch to “winter is coming” and “acqui-hiring” December 2, 2015 With so many tech startup entrepreneurs descending on London for TechCrunch Disrupt Europe, we thought we’d try and familiarise you with how to deal with the geek hordes, as they invade London’s bars and cafes for the week. With our handy guide, you too can learn to speak like a startup guru. Thus, when someone [...]
Why Japan’s fintech startups are turning to London November 24, 2015 There are a few major reasons why I decided to start my business in London instead of Tokyo. Firstly, the UK’s fintech scene is open, fairer and more equal and there’s many opportunities to network and engage with the community in London. All of these factors are contributing to greater competition, creating more synergy and [...]
Britain’s brightest bulbs from the tech industry to present to Commonwealth politicians and businesspeople in Malta November 24, 2015 A group of digital start-ups will travel to Malta between 27 and 29 November to showcase the UK’s burgeoning tech scene in front of politicians and businesspeople from across the Commonwealth. Backed by government-supported organisation Tech City UK, the entrepreneurs will be attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which will be themed around adding [...]
Tech unicorns face fresh bubble fear November 24, 2015 Traders are piling up short interest on early stage technology firms after a string of young companies made market-busting initial public offerings (IPOs). The so-called “unicorns” – companies which are valued at $1bn before they have launched onto the stock market – are being targeted by traders betting their share prices will fall. Although they [...]
London is now a true rival to Silicon Valley – but risks loom November 19, 2015 This year has been dubbed the Year of the Unicorn. It’s not an allusion to the success of the Scottish National Party – the unicorn being the national symbol of Scotland – but rather a reference to the booming global startup scene. In the world of venture capital, “unicorn” is applied to young tech [...]
The Shard skyscraper wins new letting after poaching fintech firm from the City November 19, 2015 The developers behind the Shard skyscraper at London Bridge have secured another letting after poaching fintech firm Sapphire Systems from the City. The global software solutions firm has agreed to take 15,700 square feet of office space on level nine of the tower, City A.M. can reveal. It is understood to be paying in the [...]
Fintech Lookahead 2016: The disruptors you should be looking out for November 19, 2015 What can we expect to see from the fintech industry over the coming year? And what kinds of companies are leading the charge? In its 2015 Global Banking Annual Review, McKinsey said that “banks are under attack from new technology companies and others seeking to poach their customers. To date, banks’ losses to attackers have [...]