Winners of the year 2015: Uber, Lidl and Tony Pidgley and other success stories December 6, 2015 In 2015 the UK's economy continued to steadily grow and employment reached new highs – it was a good year for business. There will be plenty of champagne corks popping and glasses clinking this Christmas period, and no one has more reason to do so this year than these companies and personalities. Read more: The seven [...]
Countdown to Christmas, Syria vote and Star Wars economics: Here’s what got us talking this week December 4, 2015 A ray of sunshine after the gloomiest November in 86 years: this was the week in which the Bank of England declared the end of the financial crisis. Even banks aren’t stressed any more… What got us talking this week 1. Festive fun Only 20 more sleeps until the big day, and don’t we know [...]
Uber just raised a massive $1.2bn in its latest funding round, valuing it at up to $40bn December 4, 2015 Uber has raised a massive $1.2bn in its latest funding round, finally confirming the previously rumoured investment in a blog post. Travis Kalanick, Uber’s founder and chief executive, said the funding would be used “to make substantial investments, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.” The round is understood to value the firm at up to [...]
Uber’s rivals Ola, Didi Kuaidi, Lyft and GrabTaxi gang up on the rideshare app with “global alliance” December 4, 2015 Four of Uber's biggest competitors are ganging up on the cab hailing app, in a global alliance which they say will reach nearly half of the world's population. Taxi-hailing apps Ola, Didi Kuaidi, Lyft and GrabTaxi said they plan to start rolling out joint partner products in the first quarter of next year. Read more: Uber isn't breaking the law Uber has [...]
Uber’s $62.5bn valuation means it’s worth more than BT, Prudential and Barclays – and 86 other FTSE 100 constituents December 4, 2015 Uber is reported to have filed paperwork outlining plans to raise as much as $2.1bn (£1.4bn) in its latest funding round. Were the company to complete that funding round (and according to the Bloomberg report, the wheels are very much in motion for that to happen – with Tiger Global Management and T Rowe Price both [...]
London taxi drivers and Uber battling to win support with just 20 days left for TfL consultation December 3, 2015 Taxi drivers and Uber are gearing up for the final stretch in a race for support ahead of a crunch consultation that will decide the newcomer’s fate in the capital. Transport for London’s (TfL) consultation on whether to bring in further rules and regulations has just 20 days to run. Uber was given a boost [...]
Taxi drivers and Uber battling to win support with just 20 days left for TfL consultation December 2, 2015 NULL
Geek speak: The tongue-in-cheek guide to startup talk, from unicorn and elevator pitch to “winter is coming” and “acqui-hiring” December 2, 2015 With so many tech startup entrepreneurs descending on London for TechCrunch Disrupt Europe, we thought we’d try and familiarise you with how to deal with the geek hordes, as they invade London’s bars and cafes for the week. With our handy guide, you too can learn to speak like a startup guru. Thus, when someone [...]
Uber vs TfL: CMA regulator backs Uber calling new Transport for London rules anti-competitive December 2, 2015 The UK's market watchdog has thrown its weight behind Uber in a showdown between the Taxi startup and Transport for London (TfL), calling plans to curb the business anti-competitive. Responding to proposed new rules which seek a five-minute waiting time after ordering an Uber among other restrictions, the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has warned the plans may "excessively and "unnecessarily weaken competition" and [...]
Bring on ride-sharing: Uber’s about to launch UberPool in London – making journeys 25 per cent cheaper November 30, 2015 Uber will launch its ride-sharing service in London this Friday, the company said today – although it may be short-lived. The ride-hailing app, which has been heavily criticised by London's black cabbies, said its new service, UberPool, will give Londoners the option of sharing their journey with another passenger heading in the same direction at the same [...]