UK & Europe

Rens crowdfunded, climate-neutral sneakers

World’s first crowdfunded, climate-neutral sneakers — with caffeine

HELSINKI-BASED eco-startup Rens has launched vegan, waterproof sneakers produced from coffee grounds and recycled plastic. The firm released “every-day” sneakers made from 21 cups of...
Buzz Lightyear

‘Commission-free’ investment platform expected in Q3 2021

FINTECH start-up Lightyear is offering Europe’s first commission-free investment platform. Set to start rolling out in Q3 2021, Lightyear marries multi-currency accounts with unlimited access...
Decacorn

The UK valley of the ‘decacorns’ comes alive with new entrants

THE UK RANKS third globally for $10bn tech businesses, with a total of 12 — behind the US, which has 157, and China, 38. The...
Ready Burger - vegan fast food

Plant-based, and growing strong: vegan burger funding hits £2m

ON A MISSION to bring a vegan menu to the high street, plant-based pioneer Ready Burger has closed its first funding round with Crowdcube,...
Business ideas, startup graphic

The UK’s newest entrepreneurs by generation … and by name

PEOPLE aged 25 to 40 have set up 49 percent of new businesses in Britain since July 2020. A study was conducted by cloud accounting...
Gap store closing

More holes in the high street: Gap shuts UK and Irish...

FASHION giant Gap is the latest firm to forego bricks and mortar and embrace e-commerce, announcing plans to close its 81 stores in the...
Business closed

Relief for small firms as rent moratorium runs until 2022

THE FEDERATION of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed the extension to a moratorium on commercial tenant evictions in England until March 25 next year. FSB...
Sessions Market food selection (Photo: Justin DeSouza)

Sessions Market cooks up an incentive to beat chef shortage

SESSIONS Market has launched a chef incentive and recruitment scheme to boost an industry hard-hit by the Covid pandemic. Founder Dan Warne, previously MD at...
UK Border at Heathrow Airport

EU citizens ‘need help from UK firms to resolve status issues’

WITH JUST 20 days for European citizens to apply for settled status in the UK, businesses should help with outstanding applications. That advice comes from...
Sleep Cogni device

Dreaming, perchance, of sleep? A UK firm has found a solution

A UK-DESIGNED sleep therapy solution is a step closer to capturing a share of an $80bn global market. SleepCogni, a data-supported device for people suffering...