Wake up, policy-makers: The fintech paradigm shift could change everything October 13, 2016 Nowhere within the financial firmament does enthusiasm abound more right now than in the arena of fintech. Just as it has disrupted and revolutionised our social interactions and shopping habits, the internet is breeding new ways to cut the cost of transacting and pair those with capital with those seeking it. Peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding [...]
This UK startup using AI for compliance just raised millions October 13, 2016 A UK tech startup which uses artificial intelligence to ensure compliance rules are followed by financial firms has raised millions of pounds from top investors. ComplyAdvantage has raised $8.2m (£6.7m) in a series A round of funding led by Balderton Capital to fuel expansion into the lucrative US market. The regulatory tech firm, or regtech (an offshoot of [...]
What Brexit? UK startup funding has bucked a global slowdown October 13, 2016 Cash being ploughed into the UK's tech startups has defied a global slowdown as the impact of Brexit turns out to be limited – so far, at least. Venture capital investment inched up 10 per cent to $834m in the third quarter of the year, fueled by high profile rounds for several star startups including Deliveroo and Darktrace. [...]
The government is seeking closer ties with business to battle cyber threat October 13, 2016 UK authorities are ramping up efforts to help British business fight the ever-growing threat of cybercrime. The government will seek greater engagement with chief executives and board level executives on cyber security to push it higher up the corporate agenda. The newly opened National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in London, part of multi-billion pound government plans to invest [...]
The “forgotten middle” is essential for creating Britain’s truly digital workforce October 13, 2016 The pace of innovation in technology is as exciting as it can be daunting. While the "digital native" generation seems to have little trouble keeping up with new tech developments, a lack of investment in digital skills is fostering a society of "digital consumers" rather than "digital creators". Last week, secretary for culture, media and sport Karen Bradley [...]
The Apple store: first look at the iconic Regent Street space, filled with trees, gadgets and polished rock October 13, 2016 The Apple Store – now just called Apple – on Regent Street will reopen on Saturday after a multi-million pound refit by architects Foster + Partners. The new shop banishes the famous glass staircase, instead opening up the space with a tree-lined central “boulevard”. There is also a living wall, a giant screen and an upstairs [...]
Tax Uber more and cut black cab fares, think tank tells London mayor October 13, 2016 The Mayor of London has the power to make Uber pay more taxes and the city's iconic black cab drivers should reduce night time fares to compete, according to a new report calling for a major shake up of London's cab industry. A maximum working day of 12 hours should be imposed on Uber drivers and all black cab drivers [...]
Smoke and mirrors: Who’s responsible for greater transparency in equity crowdfunding? October 13, 2016 What's in store for crowdfunding now? The FCA has reached the final stages of its latest review of the rules governing the sector, and this comes at a critical time in the cycle, when many deals are starting to conclude (and failures are becoming painfully apparent). Moreover, investment volumes have fallen for the first time [...]
OnePlus 3 review: This Chinese-made phone is one of the best non-exploding Android handset on the market October 12, 2016 If you can keep your head, wrote Mister Kipling, while all around you phones are literally catching fire and exploding, then you can pretty much claim the Android throne unimpeded, my son. The new OnePlus 3 is, for its price (and for prices a great deal higher too), one of the best non-exploding Android phones [...]
Movie-length games: new titles you can play in under three hours, including That Dragon, Cancer and Virginia October 12, 2016 These movie-length games pack an emotional punch but won't lead to you getting a messy divorce because you neglected your family to farm credits to pay for a new colour of rocket launcher. That Dragon, Cancer Platform: iOS That Dragon, Cancer is less a game than an interactive art installation about a grieving family coming to [...]