How to get ahead in fintech: Four courses for studying banking disruption August 13, 2017 There’s one word on everyone’s lips in the Square Mile and beyond these days… fintech. For the uninitiated, the portmanteau of financial technology threatens to bring the disruptive innovation felt already in industries such as retail by the likes of Amazon to the traditional world of banking. And for those looking to stay ahead of [...]
Those who fear automation will be its only casualties August 11, 2017 Whatever can be automated, should be. And regardless of whether it should, it will be. Automation has been a persistent economic force since the first industrial revolution, and an essential feature of any competitive business. The use of machines and other forms of automation to boost productivity is a major factor behind the rapid global [...]
6 Types of App Piracy You Need to Know August 7, 2017 | City Talk The risk of app piracy is high and with that comes significant risk to brand reputation, ranking and revenues. Luckily we’ve put together a handy guide on what how to avoid this growing issue. As much as £3 billion is lost each year across 14 billion app instals globally to pirated apps, according to mobile [...]
Steve France at Florismart is ending the Dutch monopoly on the flower industry using tech August 7, 2017 Upon reflection, breakfast at the The Ivy Chelsea Garden, abloom with foliage as it is, was an appropriate location to meet Steve France. The reason it is so apt is that France is chief executive of Florismart, a platform that is challenging, and successfully diminishing, the Dutch monopoly on the cut flower trade by culling [...]
How to increase app downloads July 27, 2017 | City Talk Whether you’re an app developer, you are responsible for commissioning app development or you’re simply tasked with promoting your organisation’s apps, the challenge of ensuring your app is found, downloaded and used has never been more difficult. The rise of the app has been well documented. In the 10 years since the smartphone (and then [...]
London cyber security startup Callsign, used by Lloyds and Deutsche Bank, has raised a huge $35m series A led by Accel and PTB Ventures July 27, 2017 A security startup focused on digital identity which helps keep Lloyds and Deutsche Bank protected has raised a huge round of funding from venture capital investors. London-based Callsign has landed $35m in a series A round of funding led by Spotify backer Accel and PTB Ventures a New York-based early-stage investment firm specialising in digital [...]
Tapping third-party app stores to improve downloads July 25, 2017 | City Talk Generally speaking, app developers, like brands in a supermarket, are in a battle for two scarce resources: consumer attention and shelf space. Lab Cave, a mobile games company headquartered in Madrid, is looking beyond distribution on the “digital shelves” of the Apple App Store and Google Play. It’s part of a bid to cash in [...]
Aviva and Founders Factory are betting on these five fintech startups for artificial intelligence, blockchain and virtual reality expertise July 24, 2017 Aviva is betting on virtual reality, artificial intelligence and blockchain when it comes to technology. The insurer has unveiled the first five startups to benefit from a multi-million pound investment into new technology with startup accelerator and incubator Founders Factory. And the two have also created their own startup together, OnCare, aiming to take the [...]
Barclays bPay, a £20 contactless pay wristband, given away for free in latest sign bank’s wearable has flopped July 19, 2017 Barclays has started giving away a contactless payments device normally costing £20 in the latest signal that its technology efforts have failed to take off. The bank is offering the bPay wearable band or key fob, used to pay for things with just a swipe, for free in a push to get them into people's [...]
Open Banking’s a step closer with these 20 fintech startups, but the clock is ticking on the CMA’s deadline July 19, 2017 The UK’s progress toward making banking more open has taken another step forward after 20 fintechs were chosen to test out a new way of sharing banking information for the benefit customers. A call for startups was put out as part of the competition watchdog’s ambitious plans to disrupt the big four banks’ hold on [...]