UK tech special: The rocky but unstoppable rise in startup valuations January 30, 2022 The accelerated growth of startup valuations has sparked debate around the world, particularly in the markets where this has been reflected in the most significant raises and the speediest unicorns. Despite ongoing pandemic uncertainty, a quarter of the UK’s 116 unicorn tech companies became unicorns during 2021. Investment climbed significantly, up to £26bn in 2021 [...]
Long fraud trial looms for tech tycoon Mike Lynch as Priti Patel approves extradition to US January 29, 2022 The extradition of British technology tycoon Mike Lynch to the United States to answer criminal fraud charges has been approved by Home Secretary Priti Patel. “On January 28, following consideration by the courts, the extradition of Dr Michael Lynch to the US was ordered,” a Home Office spokesperson said last night. “Under the Extradition Act [...]
UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch fails bid to delay US extradition ruling January 26, 2022 British technology tycoon Mike Lynch, who is facing extradition to the US after being accused of fraud, has failed to delay a decision by the Home Office this morning. US authorities accused Lynch of being involved in a multibillion-dollar fraud over the sale of his software company, Autonomy, to Hewlett-Packard in 2011 for £8.5bn, which [...]
Sales and productivity have jumped since move to four-day work week, says London tech firm January 25, 2022 A London-based tech company has seen a 30 per cent boost in sales since moving to a four-day work week, the agency told City A.M. Since the change to a four-day, 32 hour working week, implemented in October of last year, technology consultancy company THRYVE ahas also seen its productivity go up by 20 per [...]
AI-driven fintech MDOTM bets on game theory January 24, 2022 MDOTM, a London-based fintech providing AI-driven investment strategies, has acquired the team of Mercurius Betting Intelligence, a company specialized in betting models and sports prediction with artificial intelligence. Following the €6.2m (£5.1m) Series-B round raised in September 2021 – which brought MDOTM’s total funding to €8.2m – the agreement will incorporate Mercurius’ skills in AI [...]
Exclusive: Kalifa calls on pension funds to fill fintech growth funding cap January 17, 2022 The author of a major review of UK fintech has called on pension funds to back British entrepreneurs and fill a major growth funding gap in the sector.
Tech leaders double down on digital currency following Lords rebuttal January 14, 2022 Tech bosses have doubled down on calls for a central bank backed digital currency (CBDC) after a report by the house of Lords.
Wise stock makes comeback after sudden share dive following Citi note that urged clients to dump fintech January 11, 2022 Shares in fintech company Wise are making a comeback this afternoon after they tumbled in London yesterday afternoon and this morning following an analysts at investment bank Citi urged clients to dump the stock yesterday. The downgrade was driven by analysts batting away Wise’s forecasts for revenue, saying the stock now priced in “excessive long-term [...]
Fintech firms unite again over Open Banking January 7, 2022 Fintech firms have come together to offer another robust defence of Open Banking just days after rebuffing claims from Starling boss Anne Boden that the initiative had failed. Speaking at an event organised by Open Banking Excellence, speakers from leading fintechs including Plaid, Token and Klarna argued that Open Banking was underpinning the rollout of [...]
Buy Now Pay Later firm Klarna claims ‘credit cards pose the real risk’ January 7, 2022 Klarna has claimed credit card providers pose a bigger risk to consumers as Government prepares to clampdown on the BNPL sector.