Google’s transition to Alphabet can help teach startups their corporate governance ABCs August 11, 2015 If it isn’t code for job losses, the announcement of a company restructure is normally reserved for the back of the business pages. When Larry Page posted a blog outlining the creation of Alphabet, an umbrella holding company to look over Google’s sprawling empire of businesses, however, it set newsrooms and investors alight. [...]
Gene-editing startup Editas just raised $120m from Bill Gates, Google Ventures and 12 other investors August 10, 2015 A gene-editing startup has just raised $120m to learn more about replacing faulty genes, gaining support from Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates and 13 other investors. The startup Editas Medicine want to tackle grave illnesses by removing our defective genes, and plan to use the recently raised capital to study a new technology that could finally [...]
London startups grow by 21pc – fuelled by a booming tech industry August 10, 2015 London’s startup scene is booming as the number of new ventures launched increased by nearly a quarter in just a year, shows data from Companies House. Startups increased by 21 per cent in just a year, according to Instant Offices, which compared how many businesses registered with Companies House last year with the year before [...]
How to make a startup successful: Five lessons from venture capital firm First Round July 30, 2015 Ever wondered what traits successful entrepreneurs have in common? Three startups are founded every second across the world, as hopeful entrepreneurs take a stab at their dream venture. The dream will be short-lived for most, however, as 90 per cent inevitably fail. It’s a risky business, and there may not yet be a way to [...]
London FinTech startup Iwoca raises $20m series B funding from Commerzbank and Acton Capital July 30, 2015 London FinTech startup Iwoca has landed a new round of funding including investment from Commerzbank. The $20m series B round from the German bank's venture capital arm CommerzVentures, Acton Capital Partners, the Munich-based private equity and VC firm, Redline Capital and other existing investors, will accelerate the lending platform's growth across Europe. “We're aiming to offer [...]
London startups reconsider the capital after a year because of property prices July 29, 2015 A newly established business setting up shop in London is more likely to consider moving out of the capital after a honeymoon first year, and the high cost of renting is to blame. The likelihood of leaving London jumps by nearly half after the first year, with 66 per cent reconsidering its location after 12 [...]
London food delivery startup Deliveroo takes away $70m series C funding from Greenoaks Capital, Index Ventures, Accel and Hoxton Ventures July 28, 2015 A London startup which delivers food from some of Britain's favourite high-street restaurants such as Wagamama and Gourmet Burger Kitchen straight to your door, has landed $70m (£45m) of new investment to expand internationally, including backing from the firm behind Just Eat. Deliveroo's series C round was led by Greenoaks Capital and existing investor Index [...]
Why wearable tech in healthcare is the best place for a startup right now July 24, 2015 Wearable technology is big business, with some of the largest tech and innovation companies in the world focusing on it right now. Its potential impact on the healthcare industry is huge, which makes it one of the most ripe areas for healthcare focused start-ups to enter into. Read more: Could London emerge as a global [...]
This chart shows just how many startups are launched worldwide every second July 23, 2015 London may be particularly fertile ground for startups, but entrepreneurs abound worldwide. Every year, millions of hopefuls take a stab at their dream venture. In fact, from Silicon Roundabout to Silicon Valley, the sheer number of startups launched globally can be hard to grasp. A staggering 100 million businesses are launched annually, according to figures [...]
Entrepreneurs beware: The Entrepreneurs Networks parliamentary snapshot reveals just how little MPs know about EIS, SEIS and other startup policies July 16, 2015 How much do MPs know about the real business world? A new survey suggests it might be even less than you think (and we're assuming you had pretty low expectations already). The Entrepreneurs Network's annual parliamentary snapshot has exposed a “worrying lack of knowledge” about existing policies that are designed to support entrepreneurs. [...]