VCs fail to add value beyond funding, early stage founders say April 1, 2021 The past year has seen VC investment go through the roof as firms look to capitalise on increased demand for tech, but founders are unhappy with what firms are offering beyond funding. Forward Partners’ More than Money report published today will make uncomfortable reading for the VC community. VCs may well have splashed the cash [...]
Millions of workers set to benefit as UK hikes minimum wage April 1, 2021 Around 2m of the UK’s lowest-paid workers will receive a “well-earned” pay rise from today following increases in statutory minimum wages. Workers are being urged to check their pay packets as the National Living Wage rises by 2.2 per cent to £8.91, the equivalent of more than £345 a year for a full-time employee. It [...]
Restart grants: Councils urged to release money ‘at pace’ as £5bn fund launches April 1, 2021 Councils have been urged to release new grant funding to business owners “as soon as possible” to help boost the economy. From today eligible businesses will be able to receive up to £18,000 as part of the government’s £5bn restart grants scheme. In a letter, local authorities have been told by government ministers to “press [...]
8 weird and wonderful applications of CRISPR technology March 31, 2021 | City Talk Techno-optimists like to talk about the notion of a “singularity” – a time when technology progresses so rapidly that life is transformed beyond recognition. The driving force of this hypothetical event is typically regarded to be artificial intelligence becoming omnipresent. But what does omnipresent AI really mean for everyday life? ‘Technoking’ Elon Musk says that [...]
Covid-19: France shuts schools as it enters third national lockdown March 31, 2021 France will shut schools for at least three weeks and extend tough lockdown measures to the entire country in a bid to combat a third wave of coronavirus sweeping across Europe. President Emmanuel Macron said he was widening restrictions that were already in place in Paris, swathes of the north and parts of the south [...]
Lloyd’s of London chairman teases ‘exciting’ plans for famous underwriting room March 31, 2021 Staff at Lloyd’s of London could see more flexibility introduced into their working week post-pandemic, but the iconic underwriting room will remain a core part of the London’s insurance industry, according to the chairman of the insurance marketplace. The insurance marketplace will open its underwriting room on 17 May, in line with the government easing [...]
‘Worldwide Hide’ Cadbury advert finds its audience March 31, 2021 Ahead of the Easter weekend, the confectionary brand Cadbury has significantly boosted its Ad Awareness among parents with children at home and the general population alike. As the Easter Bank Holiday looms, many parents will be wondering how best to keep their young ones entertained – and with some Covid-19 restrictions still in place, what [...]
Government denies reports that Cop26 climate summit could be postponed March 31, 2021 The government has denied reports today that the UN Cop26 climate summit in the UK could be postponed past November. A report from Sky News today suggested that Boris Johnson was trying to keep the Glasgow summit on-track for November, but that options were being considered to postpone it or conduct it virtually in the [...]
Exclusive: Royals recruited to help fight post-Brexit rivalry with Emmanuel Macron March 31, 2021 The Royal Family have been drafted in by the government to help attract more firms to the UK post-Brexit and to help fight a growing rivalry with Emmanuel Macron, after the French President put on a series of events aimed to steal investment away from the UK. The Royals will co-host a green investment summit [...]
Online learning platform Coursera jumps on US stock market debut March 31, 2021 Shares in online learning company Coursera surged by almost a fifth following their debut on the New York Stock Exchange today, valuing the company at more than $5bn (£3.6bn). Coursera, which offers online courses from top universities and companies, opened at $39 per share this afternoon — 18 per cent above its IPO price of [...]