News
Breaking the Stigma: How Employers Can Support Employees with Mental Illness
Mental illness, particularly in the workplace, is something that society continues to struggle with. Stigma exists largely because people don’t know what to say or do.
The Power of Disruptive Leadership in Small Business
The concept of disruption has been written about for years. In business, it has typically been considered a negative thing—a threat to the status quo and an obstacle to growth. But lately, some companies have realised that disruption can be used to great effect when handled correctly.
Foreign Exchange Market Update: Impact of Central Bank Decisions
by Terry Lovell (Head of Sales), Orbis Exchange
Starling Bank partner with the StartUp Awards for 2023
The StartUp Awards helps champion and support the ever-growing number of start-ups across the UK. We look to discover and celebrate some of the most exciting new businesses.
The number of small business owners who took insurance to guard against failure in 2022, hits new high
January 2023: Personal guarantee insurance (PGI), a product used by small business owners to protect against the risk of a personal guarantee being called in for a business loan, saw a steep rise in popularity in 2022 as the owners and directors of some of the U.K.’s smaller, limited businesses, took on new finance that put their personal assets at risk.
This week’s market report from Orbis Exchange
by Terry Lovell (Head of Sales), Orbis Exchange
Payroll compliance: Five steps to get it right every time
It’s never been more important to protect your business: here Simon Bradbury, Global Payroll Consultant and CEO at Global HRIS shares five ways to get your payroll compliant every time. – by Simon Bradbury, Global HRIS
GS1 UK are back to support the StartUp Awards for 2023
The StartUp Awards helps champion and support the ever-growing number of start-ups across the UK. We look to discover and celebrate some of the most exciting new businesses.
Big firms must be properly penalised for late payment
52% of small firms just ‘treading water’, rising to 72% in East Midlands
Average start-up loan value falls to £142k and loan volumes drop by more than half
New analysis of startup loans with personal guarantees attached has found that the average loan has fallen over 138% in the past year to £142,492, from £339,304 in 2021.
The key steps to StartUp Awards application success
The 2023 StartUp Awards entries are now open, and we’re so excited to see applications come in from across the nation and be able to celebrate some of the UK’s best startup businesses once again.
What the 2022 Autumn Statement means to start-up entrepreneurs
The StartUp Awards reached out to a number of start-up founders to hear their thoughts on the 2022 Autumn Statement and to understand how it could affect them.
The art of founder wellbeing: Why it’s important for you and your team
Workplace wellbeing is something that has been on the radar for quite some time, highlighting the need for founders and business managers to be more aware of and do more for their employee’s mental health and wellbeing. But one thing that often isn’t considered in this drive for wellbeing, is the founders themselves.
Sintali appoints new global expansion advisor
2022 London and East of England, Green StartUp winner Sintali, appoints net-zero property pioneer Joseph Micheal Daniels as Special Adviser to help their global expansion plans.
Communications for Start-up
ConXhub explains why the ability to communicate effectively is vital for businesses:
The StartUp Academy: How to detox your approach to finance and build a better business: Forget the first million!
Being a startup business it is easy to get bogged down thinking about how you can make your first million, and forget that there is so much more that goes into making a great business than just its turnover - and success isn’t only measured by millions.
The StartUp Academy: How to build amazing teams
In every business, your people are at the heart of everything you do, and they play a huge role in the success or failure of your business. This is why it’s vital that you’re doing the right things to attract, acquire and retain the best talent. If you have a strong team that is passionate, knowledgeable and willing to learn, it makes success far easier.
How to drive growth through customer experience
We’ve seen the customer experience change and evolve in recent years, with digitalisation taking over and the pandemic changing consumer behaviours drastically. Barry McNeill, founder of Work Extraordinary, joined us in a recent webinar to help you beat this killer growth pain by explaining how you can evolve more positively, and keep your customer front of mind.
Why startup businesses need diverse teams
Wondering what it takes to create a high-growth startup?
How Rishi Sunak can grow the economy despite the oncoming recession
By Dylan Jones-Evans, Founder of The National Start-up Awards
Tackling stress as a small business owner
This National Stress Awareness Day we’re shining a light on the importance of supporting small business owners, and encouraging founders to prioritise their mental health.
Free mentoring and support available for small businesses as we approach Small Business Saturday
Small businesses across the UK are being offered a big boost of free business support to help them deal with the current economic challenges, as Small Business Saturday unveils a major programme of online mentoring and training during November as part of its ten-year celebrations.
The StartUp Academy: How to get investment in your business
Are you a startup looking to go out for investment but don’t know where to start? Or you’re struggling with picking the right investor for your business?
The StartUp Academy: How to become a known authority in your industry
Most successful business owners will tell you that one of the keys to success is being a known authority within your industry. But what does that mean? And why is it so important?
Live Tech Games launches new interactive game with ITV
Live Tech Games who were awarded Overall Startup of the Year, Digital Startup and Young Entrepreneurs of the Year at this year’s Midlands StartUp Awards, has unveiled a brand new, free interactive competitive trivia game, WordSurge, offering ITV audiences exciting live gameplay while watching content they love.
HumanForest introduces its newest model
HumanForest, London and the East of England’s Creative StartUp of the Year, and London’s most sustainable and affordable eBike operator, with its daily 10 minutes free, is leading innovation within the micro-mobility sector, integrating a new style of eBike into their existing fleet.
Why is entering an awards programme good for your startup business?
This year we celebrated the inaugural StartUp Awards, where we set out across 9 regions in the UK to recognise, support and celebrate excellence in entrepreneurship.
According to research, 18% of small businesses have considered closure in the past year
The StartUp Awards 2023 sponsor Purbeck Insurance investigates small businesses closures:
How to cut the risks of a Personal Guarantee
Todd Davison, Managing Director of the StartUp Awards 2023 sponsor, Purbeck Insurance tells us all about cutting the risks of a personal guarantee:
Career development is key to talent retention for tech startups
StartUp Awards judge, and Co-Founder & CEO of ISL Talent, Alan Furley, shares his 2022 retention report, which investigates how businesses can best retain talent:
Purbeck Insurance looks into how many small businesses are signing up for personal guarantee insurance
The StartUp Awards 2023 sponsor Purbeck Insurance recently published their findings on the take up of Personal Guarantee backed loans by small business owners….
The StartUp Academy: How to know when it’s the right time to sell your business
An exit strategy is an important consideration for all business owners, but it’s often overlooked until significant changes are necessary, especially for startups and SME businesses that are just getting started.
Mrs Buckét reaches Disability Confident Committed status
Leading commercial cleaning company Mrs Buckét, founded by StartUp Awards judge Helen Flanagan, has been awarded Disability Confident Committed status after the business pledged to take action to improve how it recruits, retains and develops disabled people.
HumanForest teams up with Yonder in a bid to unlock London
The StartUp Awards, London and the East of England Creative Start-up of the Year, HumanForest, teams up with Yonder to help unlock the city of London.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY: Recognising the unique challenges startup founders face
Being a small business, or startup business founder can be hugely rewarding, but for many, it comes with a set of unique challenges that could have a huge effect on your mental health.
Mental Health and founders: Why I will never fall into the trap of perfectionism again…
Namrata Kamdar founder of the StartUp Awards winning business Plenaire discusses the topic of mental health as a founder, and why she no longer strives for perfectionism:
Meet Plenaire - the skincare brand putting wellbeing first
Meet Plenaire, the 2022 London & East of England Fashion and Beauty StartUp Awards winner - the skincare brand with a focus on mental health and wellbeing.
Are you at risk of losing sight of your customers’ needs because your focus is on growth above all else?
Our partner Work Extraordinary tells us how you can tell if you’re at risk of losing sight of your customer’s needs:
The StartUp Awards presents StartUp Academy in collaboration with BT
The StartUp Awards presents StartUp Academy in collaboration with BT - a webinar series set to provide StartUps with advice and inspiration for every part of their journey.
Norfolk-based software firm DueTrade discusses what it’s like to be award winners
2022 London & East of England Rising Star winners, DueTrade discuss their recent winning, and what it’s like to be a startup
Mini-budget extends SEIS – Chancellor introduces long-overdue reform
Key changes to be announced to Seen Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)
The Fearless Academy receives £500k funding to help close skills gap
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has awarded Fearless Adventures’ academy scheme almost £500,000 as part of the Skills Bootcamps programme.
UK-based accelerator Subak opens £20 million raise to back climate tech startups
The company gives a funding route to those not suited to equity funding, empowering climate startups to scale their critical missions without pressure to deliver profit.
The best start-up firms in London and the East of England revealed
The awards form part of the StartUp Awards National Series celebrating the best new firms and entrepreneurs across the UK
The sustainability startup on a mission to Bin Bezos and Buy Better
A new platform for sustainable products is crowdfunding to bring better buying to more people than ever – and they aren’t taking any prisoners.
Startup Awards are delighted to announce our latest partnership with Dream Factory – the content creation house for founders.
The StartUp Award National Series helps champion and support the ever-growing number of start-ups across the UK. We look to discover and celebrate some of the most exciting new businesses.
Creating the perfect pitch deck with Canva
A pitch deck is the first tool of communication and the perfect introduction for businesses approaching potential investors - whether it’s in person or via email. It acts as a sales pitch for your business that can be distributed to anyone, allowing people to understand your business idea, discover the business’s character, and understand its full potential - allowing them to decide whether or not they want to invest.
Google provides funding for 40 black-led UK start-ups as part of their Black Founders Fund
Google announces the names of 40 UK black-led businesses that will receive funding from its Black Founders Fund for 2022.
Startups set to get access to more talent with new scale-up visas
The UK’s top high-growth businesses will have greater flexibility and power to entice the world’s top talent through the new Scale-up visa, announced by the government today (22 August).
How I was an effective boss but a bad leader: Chris Kenna speaks at Ideas Fest
We often think that being an effective boss is the same as being a good leader, but Chris Kenna CEO and Founder of Brand Advance tells his story of how different those two things are, and how being just one and not the other can be detrimental to your team
Why have Virtual Numbers Become so Popular and Why are they Important?
Our partner ConXhub tells us everything we need to know about virtual numbers and their importance
OK Positive secures contract with forensics business Eurofins Forensic Services
StartUp business OK Positive secures huge contract with Eurofins Forensic Services - Exciting news for the company set to make huge changes in the workplace mental health space
Social Allies levels up with Sophie Milliken as new non-executive director
Social Allies is a strategic marketing agency with almost a decade of experience working with some of the most known brands in the UK, including Morrison Water Services, Dominos and Wilton Engineering - and they’re set to go from strength to strength as Sophie Miliken joins the team as the newly appointed non-executive director.
UpCircle Beauty pledges to freeze prices until 2023 as they address the cost of living crisis
UpCircle Beauty has become the latest name to address the UK’s cost of living crisis - and they’re doing their bit to help their customers enjoy the brand as much as they always have.
Rachael Flanagan named in prestigious 35 Under 35 List
Rachael Flanagan, Founder and Managing Director of commercial cleaning company Mrs Buckét, and one of our very own StartUp Awards judges, has been named in the 2022 Management Today 35 Women Under 35 Awards.
Independent womenswear retailer Scamp & Dude opens flagship store
Independent womenswear retailer, founded by StartUp Awards National Series judge, Jo Tutchener-Sharp, Scamp and Dude, has opened its flagship store in Marlow High Street - Buckinghamshire.
Starling Bank launches Bills Manager for small businesses
Starling Bank is introducing ’Bills Manager’ for small businesses to help business and sole trader account customers streamline their finances.
The best start-up firms in the North West of England revealed
The North West of England StartUp Awards form part of the UK-wide StartUp Awards National Series
Top 4 Green SME Myths Busted
Gabrielle Giner, Head of Environmental Sustainability at BT Group busts the top 4 Green SME myths
The best start-up firms in Wales revealed
The Wales StartUp Awards 2022 were held at the Depot in Cardiff
The best start-up firms in the South West revealed
The awards for the South West form part of the UK-wide StartUp Awards National Series
Competition to Support UK Tech Startups Opens
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has announced a new tech startup support competition to help small and scaling tech firms.
The best start-up firms in the South East revealed
The inaugural awards form part of the StartUp Awards National Series
The best start-up firms in the Midlands revealed
The best start-up firms in the Midlands have been revealed.
The best start-up firms in Northern Ireland revealed
The best start-up firms in Northern Ireland have been revealed.
The best start-up firms in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber revealed
The best start-up firms in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber have been revealed.
First-ever Scotland StartUp Awards winners crowned
Scotland’s most promising new businesses have been recognised at a new awards ceremony last night. The StartUp Awards National Series debuted this year to highlight the dynamic startup scene across the country that skyrocketed during the pandemic and has been rolled out in nine UK nations and regions, supported nationally by BT, EY Breakthrough Incentives, Clearco, Dell Technologies & Intel, Moblox, Fearless Adventures and with regional support from Glasgow City Council, GS1UK and the Moja Group.
How to turn your business ideas into action; Tips from Steven Bartlett
Entrepreneur, co-founder of The Social Chain, Diary of a CEO podcast host, author, and Dragons Den investor Steven Bartlett recently hosted a webinar with Vodafone Business to give his top tips, advice, and expertise on how to turn your business ideas into action by setting strategic goals.
Moja joins the Startup Awards National Series as latest partner
The StartUp Award National Series helps champion and support the ever-growing number of start-ups across the UK. We look to discover and celebrate some of the most exciting new businesses.
4,300 new businesses were set up in Wales in the first quarter of 2022 alone
New research from insolvency and restructuring trade body, R3 in Wales has found that more than 4,300 new businesses were set up in Wales in the first quarter of 2022.
Admiral joins the StartUp Awards National Series as latest partner
The StartUp Award National Series is delighted to announce our latest partnership with Admiral.
A new study by the School of Marketing reveals the importance of SMEs to the British economy
New research reveals how important small and medium enterprises are for the British economy, as businesses that employ between one and 249 employees contribute more than £2 trillion in turnover and employ 44% of the British workforce.
We’re working with ClearCo to find and fund founders building great products
Francesca James, Co-founder of the StartUp Awards National Series and founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, discusses latest partnership with Clerco, to help find and fund founders within the community.
UpCircle Beauty paving the way for eco-friendly beauty brands
Over the years the beauty industry has received its fair share of backlash over its impact on the environment, whether it be for excessive use of plastic, ingredients used, or the way products are tested. But brands like UpCircle Beauty are breaking down barriers and paving the way for more eco-friendly beauty brands.
Government launches competition for £12 million grant to boost UK tech growth
This week it was announced that a new government grant competition will be launched to boost the growth of innovative tech start-ups and scale-ups in all corners of the UK.
The StartUp Awards National Series has partnered with Clearco to provide you with financial tools to grow your business
Clearco is the fastest, most affordable way for founders to fund their businesses. Clearco offers the most founder-friendly capital solutions for e-commerce, mobile apps, and SaaS founders as well as access to a powerful global network, insights and data, and recommendations. Understanding the needs of e-commerce companies, Clearco has created a solution to help them grow.
Google launches virtual Startup School for Irish founders
Google has launched a virtual training programme for startup founders based in Ireland, offering free, hands-on virtual courses to help them to grow their businesses - in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland and Dogpatch Labs.
Wales’ first-ever National StartUp Awards finalists revealed
Wales’ most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
South West’s first-ever National StartUp Awards finalists revealed
The South West’s most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
South East’s first-ever National StartUp Awards finalists revealed
The South East’s most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
Scotland’s first-ever National StartUp Awards finalists revealed
Scotland’s most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
Northern Ireland’s first-ever National StartUp Awards finalists revealed
Northern Ireland’s most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
North West’s first-ever National StartUp Awards finalists revealed
The North West’s most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
North East, Yorkshire and Humberside’s first-ever National StartUp Awards finalists revealed
The North East, Yorkshire and Humberside’s most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
Midlands’ first-ever National StartUp Awards finalists revealed
The Midlands’ most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
London and East England’s first-ever National StartUp Awards finalists revealed
London and East England’s most exciting new businesses have been shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.
Small business support programme to launch in April for businesses in York
The Federation of Small Businesses (FDS) is set to launch a new programme of events and activities in April, to deliver support for the self-employed, small businesses and microbusinesses, in York.
Huge Congratulation to Wales’ LIMB-art on their recognition from the International Paralympic Committee
Massive congratulations are in order for Wales’ own, 2021 StartUp award winner, LIMB-art, after receiving amazing recognition from the International Paralympic Committee.
BT Skills for Tomorrow joins The StartUp Awards National Series as its newest headline partner
The StartUp Awards National Series are delighted to announce BT Skills for Tomorrow as our newest headline partner for 2022.
Is live-stream shopping the future for e-commerce businesses?
You’re probably all familiar with teleshopping channels such as QVC, which may seem outdated and unnecessary in today’s age of online shopping, quick commerce and other advancements we have seen in technology.
Work for Good; helping businesses fundraise for Ukraine
The tragic events happening in Ukraine has seen 1.7 million Ukrainians flee from their homes to stay safe, and as we watch the damage continue to Ukraine, many people will ask themselves, ‘What can we do to help?’
Dell Technologies Joins the StartUp Awards National Series
The StartUp Awards National Series are pleased to announce a major sponsorship with Dell Technologies.
Accountancy Cloud supports the StartUp community with a free CFO platform for startups
As a startup founder, there are so many things you need to take into consideration, and many that you may have never even thought of.
Where is the best place to start a business in the U.K? - School of Marketing investigates
If you’ve ever wondered where the best place to open up shop is, whether it be physically or virtually, our partner School of Marketing has all of the answers for you.
StartUp businesses and the need for sustainability; What can you do to help?
Over the last few years, there has been a global eco-awakening, with consumers and businesses becoming more aware of the effects they are having on the environment.
JD&Co joins The StartUp Awards National Series as its newest partner
The StartUp Awards National Series are pleased to announce a partnership with JD&Co.
How the Covid-19 pandemic has affected start-ups
The coronavirus pandemic was one that was unexpected, and as well as the devastation it brought across the world, it also meant that everyone had new challenges and obstacles to overcome - whether that be personal or business, positive or negative - it allowed for a world of new experiences.
Wales Startup Award winners 2021!
The StartUp Awards National Series is a collaboration between the founders of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards - an established national programme receiving over 5,000 applications annually - and the Wales Start-Up Awards, the only regional awards currently celebrating new businesses in the UK.
StartUp Awards National Series launches
The StartUp Awards National Series launches from a springboard of the Wales StartUp Awards, a successful programme that’s been running in Wales for the past six years.
Business West takes part in West of England Black Interns Pilot
Diversity is a big challenge to everyone in business these days.
£1m apprenticeship fund set to help small businesses support new talent
Earlier this month, over a million pounds was pledged to help people across the West of England develop new skills through an apprenticeship fund.
Birmingham Tech Week 2021 showcases West Midlands’ fast-growing technology cluster
This year’s Birmingham Tech Week (11-15 October) brought together 1,500 attendees for face-to-face events, and over 1,000 for online sessions, to celebrate the achievements of the West Midlands’ tech sector and explore its future significance as the country’s fastest growing digital hub.
£400M from chancellor for Midlands engine investment fund
Businesses in the Midlands are set to benefit from the next generation of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) thanks to a £400 million allocation from the Chancellor, to be delivered by the British Business Bank.
Tech festival attracts global brands and big investors to the Humber
A festival of technology which was only launched two years ago is about to make a return as a global gathering with industry leaders jetting in from the United States and the Middle East to highlight Hull and Humber’s worldwide connections.
Battery camera developed using quantum technology launches in key milestone for transport electrification
A commercial battery imaging system born out of collaborative work with quantum physicists at the University of Sussex and Brighton green energy start-up, CDO2 will be unveiled today at low carbon vehicle technology event, Cenex-LCV (22-23 September).
Scottish Enterprise investment portfolio generates record income
Income generated by Scottish Enterprise’s equity and debt investments exceeded £50 million during the last financial year – a record amount.
South East Local Enterprise Partnership launches flagship support programme to aid recovery of the South East visitor economy
Partners from across the South East are today announcing the launch of a brand-new support programme to aid the recovery of the South East’s visitor economy, which directly responds to the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the region.
No dallying in the dales: Yorkshire revealed as UK’s Startup Hub 2021
A study carried out by the research team at startups.co.uk reveals Yorkshire as the region most likely to see a post-pandemic startup boom. Not only has the region seen one of the largest increases in startups between 2019 and 2020, it also boasts one of the highest startup densities and startup contributions to regional turnover.
VC Investors From Across The UK In Belfast To Seek Deals With NI Firms
More than 80 investors meeting with local start-ups and scale ups during two-day programme.
Recovery Loan Scheme offers over £1bn to smaller businesses
The British Business Bank announces today that the Recovery Loan Scheme has passed a significant milestone, with 76 accredited lenders having offered over £1bn to smaller UK businesses as they steer a path towards a sustainable recovery.
Which UK locations are best for new businesses?
The top 15 towns and cities for start-ups in UK
NI food firms applauded as they rack up success at this year’s two major food and drink awards
Invest Northern Ireland has congratulated Northern Ireland’s food and drink sector, following significant successes at this year’s Blas Na hÉireann Irish Food and Drink Awards and The Guild of Fine Foods Great Taste Awards.
External finance now used by four in ten businesses across the UK, but a lack of local investors leads to wasted economic potential
More than four in ten businesses in the UK were using external finance in 2021 but a lack of local investors means economic potential continues to be wasted across the UK’s Regions and nations. The British Business Bank’s first annual Regions and Nations Tracker, published today, reveals that regional disparities persist particularly in access to equity finance and private debt.
Fearless Adventures announces fund and support network for D2C startups
Fearless Adventures has launched a multi-million pound fund and a one stop shop of support services pitched at the next generation of direct-to-consumer (D2C) startups in the UK.
Grasping the climate opportunity at COP26
Scottish Enterprise events put businesses in world spotlight with a virtual “shop window” that will showcase innovative Scottish businesses and projects to investors and customers around the world during COP26.
In The Welsh Wind distillery given go-ahead for major expansion
A NEW distillery in a former Tanygroes pub has been granted planning permission by Ceredigion County Council for multi-million pound development.
Welsh eco pet product start-up Project Blu secures multi-million-pound deal
Welsh eco pet product start-up Project Blu has secured a multi-million-pound deal with San Diego-based Metamorphosis, a venture capital firm dedicated to the incubation and acceleration of businesses in the pet industry.
Welsh fintech Yoello launches in Canada
The Wales based fintech Yoello has continued its course of fast-paced international growth during 2021 by landing in Canada.
