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By: Lynsey Barber

I'm City A.M.'s award-winning technology editor, covering everything from happenings at Apple and Google to the latest London startup. In particular fintech, blockchain, artifical intelligence, driverless cars, virtual reality and the sharing economy get me out of bed in the morning. I'm always trying to illustrate stories with pictures of dogs. Sometimes with some success. I was named technology journalist of the year at the UK Tech Awards.

Gartner Hype Cycle 2017: Artificial intelligence at peak hype, blockchain heads for disillusionment, but say hello to 5G

The hype around artificial intelligence is at its peak, while those interested in blockchain might be heading for disillusionment. That's according to Gartner's annual Hype Cycle, which tracks the progress of emerging technology trends, from early innovation to becoming a household must-have. Deep learning and machine learning are at what it calls the "peak of [...]
Meet the seven startups joining Facebook’s London incubator LDN_LAB

A gym where users also help their community and an app for mums are just two of the seven up-and-coming startups to join Facebook's startup incubator in London which opens its doors this week. Goodgym and Mush will be joined by Olio, a startup connecting neighbours and local shops to share surplus food, and Teacherly, [...]
Microsoft opens Shoreditch startup space Reactor

Microsoft is the latest company eyeing up London's hot shot startups with a $20m (£14.3m) investment in a new space in Shoreditch, opening today. Reactor will host the Silicon Valley tech giant's accelerator for scale-ups, along with a space for events such as hackathons to help grow the capital's startup ecosystem. Read more: Robot bookworms? [...]

France says bitcoin and other cryptocurrency derivatives come under Mifid II regulation

February 22, 2018

Authorities in France are cracking down on cryptocurrencies after deciding cryptocurrency derivatives" fall under EU financial regulation. The French financial markets authority Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF) said financial products based on bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies such as futures, binary options and contracts for difference, should fall under the European Union's MIFID 2 derivatives regulation. [...]
UK startups are growing by nearly a third every year

February 21, 2018

The 500 most successful startups created in the UK over the past six years have grown at an annual rate of 30 per cent a year, according to new research. Those that went on to IPO grew at an even faster rate of 43 per cent, the analysis by SyndicateRoom and Beauhurst reveals. But it [...]
Digital challenger bank Tandem has launched its first product – a credit card

February 20, 2018

Fintech startup Tandem is launching its first product to the public – a credit card. It's also the first digital challenger bank to offer a credit card, with others such as Monzo and Starling initially diving into current accounts. Read more: Bob Diamond's private equity firm is eyeing up digital challenger Tandem The card will [...]
A new fintech accelerator is launching in London as Investment Association plans VeloCity

February 19, 2018

London is getting a new tech accelerator that will focus on fintech, in particular startups looking to shake up the asset management industry. VeloCity will be launched by the Investment Association later this year to bring innovation to the industry. Read more: Maybe it’s time we ditched fintech? Members of the group, which represents more [...]
Transport for London to crackdown on Uber and private hire licence with new rules

February 15, 2018

London's transport regulator has promised to get tough on Uber and other ride-hailing companies, admitting that current rules are failing to keep up with technological developments. New plans could include women-only car sharing options and forcing innovative companies to share their data, as well as granting permission to operate only for limited periods of time. [...]
Deliveroo IPO could be on menu with star tech startup said to be eyeing 2019 float

February 11, 2018

An IPO could be on the menu for one of the UK's most high profile and fastest growing tech startups. Deliveroo has appointed PwC to evaluate is strategic options, the Sunday Times reports, with a float in either London or New York being considered for 2019. Founder Will Shu, formerly an investment banker, has previously [...]
UK fintech VC investment hit a record in 2017 as China falls behind

February 7, 2018

Investment into UK fintech by venture capitalists hit a record high in 2017 bucking a global downturn and grew at a faster pace than rivals, new figures reveal, shaking of concerns of a Brexit slowdown. The year saw $1.8bn (£1.3bn) of cash flow into startups working on innovative financial technology, a rise of more than [...]

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