From artificial intelligence to quantum computing, Britain is a tech superpower November 6, 2018 Thousands of leaders from across the tech industry are descending on Lisbon this week for the annual international Web Summit. I’m excited to be here to champion the success of British tech to a global audience of investors and entrepreneurs. Britain is unmatched in Europe at producing tech-savvy, billion-dollar businesses. Last week, banking startup Monzo [...]
The UK remains ahead of the game in Europe’s tech sector November 6, 2018 The UK has continued to lead the way for funding activity in the European technology sector, both in terms of startups attracting investment and UK-based investors fuelling the continent’s exciting new talent. British startups secured almost a quarter of all early-stage tech investment in Europe in the last three years, according to new figures revealed [...]
Solving the shipping industry’s technological problems is a huge opportunity for the UK November 2, 2018 For decades, the business of moving goods across national borders has been hidden from the headlines. In ordinary times it is a rather dry subject, but Brexit has brought trade into sharp focus. One thing has become crystal clear: if goods cannot move freely through ports as a result of political agreement, a much greater [...]
For a rainy day: Monzo customers can now earn interest on their savings November 1, 2018 Fintech challenger bank Monzo is launching its first interest-earning savings pot. Customers will be able to create so-called savings pots within their Monzo account that will earn interest at one per cent per year, paid monthly, on savings of £1,000 and above. Customers can open up to 10 savings pots and can take money out [...]
Fintech star Monzo joins unicorn ranks with £85m funding round October 30, 2018 Digital banking startup Monzo will today announce the close of a fresh fundraising round at £85m, led by new US investors General Catalyst and Accel as the fintech firm prepares to leap across the pond. Existing investors Passion Capital, Thrive Capital, Goodwater, Orange Digital Ventures and Stripe also participated in the round. The news takes [...]
Going it alone: Tech giants to be hit by UK digital services tax October 29, 2018 Technology giants operating in the UK will be served with a narrowly-targeted digital services tax, chancellor Philip Hammond announced today. With consultations to occur before the tax goes live in April 2020, the chancellor said the move is to ensure "the UK continues to be the best place in the world to start and scale [...]
Ride-hailing app Mytaxi to pilot e-scooters in European cities October 29, 2018 Ride-hailing app Mytaxi is to join the swathes of European and US startups jostling for a slice of the electronic scooter market, with a pilot to be launched in European cities later this year. The branding of the scheme and the location of the first pilot have not been disclosed, however the firm said it will [...]
Reimagining the way we use space could reawaken our deserted high streets October 26, 2018 A group of some of the biggest restaurants in the UK have called on the government to tax web giants in order to save the high street. Since 2008, 11,000 major high street outlets have gone bust, while 1,500 restaurant insolvencies were reported in the UK in 2017, and 15,000 more are under threat. The [...]
DEBATE: With new research showing Manchester’s rapid growth, is the capital’s tech bubble bursting? October 24, 2018 With new research showing Manchester’s rapid growth, is the capital’s tech bubble bursting? Dominic Harvey, director at CWJobs, says YES. London may steal all the headlines, but as Tuesday’s figures show, Manchester is becoming an ever more dominant force for the tech sector – and the race to secure the UK’s top talent is really [...]
London fintech startups poised to expand in established European hub October 23, 2018 The UK's fintech industry, the country's most funded technology sector, is poised to expand internationally as UK hubs begin to sprout up in destinations such as Amsterdam. Three UK payments fintechs have jointly chosen the Netherlands as their European base, City A.M. has learned, seeking to reinforce their offering for European customers amid regulatory uncertainty. [...]