Industry Spotlight

Supercharge your MarTech to innovate and excite your customers with Elite Business Live at Technology for Marketing

Elite Business, the business publication dedicated to inspiring Britain's SMEs, continues its nationwide tour broadcasting live for free at the UK's best expos.

Elite Business Live Comes to ATOMICON to uncover business nightmares and share insight into the challenges and pitfalls of running a successful business.

Elite Business Live is excited to announce its participation at ATOMICON, the annual conference that is a 'must-attend' event for small businesses. The event will take place on Tuesday, 13 June, where Elite Business Live will broadcast from the main stage at 13:50 to thousands of people.

Now is the time to innovate your business model with Elite Business Live at SME Xpo

Elite Business, the business publication dedicated to inspiring Britain’s SMEs, is back with another special Elite Business Live at the SME Xpo.

Elite Business launch livestreams at the UK’s biggest business expos.

Elite Business, the publication dedicated to inspiring Britain’s SMEs, is celebrating 10 years of entrepreneurship with livestream panel discussions at the UK’s top business expos.

Growing Business Awards winner profile: ABL Health

This year's winner of the Bridges Positive Impact Award has been a pioneer in community-driven, people-centred healthcare services, writes Bridges' head of origination Kyle Bentwood.

Growing Business Awards 2022: Winners announced

We are thrilled to announce the results of the 2022 Growing Business Awards - many congratulations to all our winners!

Business confidence stalls as inflation, logistics costs take hold

More than two-thirds (70%) of UK businesses are still confident about growth over the next three years, but this confidence has stalled on the back of biting inflation and soaring logistics costs, according to the latest Santander Trade Barometer.

London-based Claret Capital raises €297m fund for tech startups

Claret Capital Partners, a London-based Pan-European growth capital provider, has closed its Claret European Growth Capital Fund III on €297m.

Seedrs launches venture partner programme

Seedrs, a private investment platform with more than £2bn in investments recorded to date, has launched its inaugural Seedrs Venture Partner programme, a new curated community for VCs, accelerators, ecosystem builders and serial entrepreneurs.

How to embrace the commercial due diligence process

Uncertainty means that private equity companies are scrutinising potential investments more closely than ever and anyone looking to secure investment should prepare for the due diligence process thoroughly, writes GRAPH Strategy senior partner James Tetherton

Key Capital Partners names new managing partner

SME-focused investor Key Capital Partners (KCP) has appointed James Hall as managing partner.

Venture Views: Support for Northern female founders “needs to move more quickly”

Northern female founders in the UK continue to face an uphill battle for access to funding, despite Levelling Up measures, writes Real Deals' Jennifer Forrest

N4 Partners appoints Gordon Merrylees for launch of UK startup fund

N4 Partners has hired Gordon Merrylees, the former managing director of entrepreneurship for NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank, as a director ahead of the launch of a new investment fund targeting entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses based in the UK.

RobinGood wins latest Alantra ScaleUp programme

Artisanal snacks company RobinGood has emerged as the winner of the latest Alantra ScaleUp programme, a pro bono initiative for companies with high growth potential.

Cornerstone VC raises £20m for diversity-focused tech fund

New investor Cornerstone VC has held a first close on £20m for its first fund, which aims to back UK entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.

Growing Business Awards: recruitment and talent management top list of challenges

Nearly half of the finalists in the 2022 Growing Business Awards have cited recruitment and the management of existing talent as the greatest challenge facing their business over the coming 12 months - far exceeding other concerns including rising costs, macroeconomic turmoil and scaling-up challenges.

Circular economy deals set to spike in 2022, says BDO

With more than £1.5bn of capital deployed into UK circular economy businesses over the past four years, consultancy BDO expects this trend to accelerate in 2022 on the back of strong H1 activity.

Growing Business Awards finalists looking to create c8,000 jobs in next 12 months

GBI does a deep-dive into the 116 highly successful UK companies shortlisted for the 2022 Growing Business Awards (GBA), including their revenues, growth rates and track-record of job creation.

Growing Business Awards: 2022 finalists announced

We are excited to announce the finalists of the 25th annual Growing Business Awards, who will now progress to the judging stage in early September.

Growing Business Awards: one in four entrants looking to raise equity within 12 months

A vast majority of the 145+ fast-growing UK companies taking part in the 2022 Growing Business Awards (GBA) are bullish regarding their prospects for the coming 12 months, with more than a quarter looking to raise fresh equity to fund their growth.

VCT review “could put £990m of start-up funding at risk”

With the Treasury Select Committee inquiry into the UK’s venture capital market currently looking at the efficacy of venture capital trust (VCT) reliefs, research by investment service Wealth Club suggests that changes to the current regime could put £990m of start-up funding at risk.

VC and growth capital funds getting more selective in current climate, says Cleary Gottlieb

Recent research suggests that venture capital activity slowed down in the UK in Q2. Michael Preston, a partner at law firm Cleary Gottlieb, links this to the global macroeconomic uncertainty, but also sees brighter days ahead.

Tosca Debt Capital secures £40m to back smaller Northern businesses

Tosca Debt Capital’s (TDC) Impact Fund, which focuses on supporting entrepreneur-led smaller businesses looking to grow and create employment following the adverse pressures of the pandemic, has held a first close on £40m.

Levelling Up: venture capital perspectives

Key players in the venture capital (VC) community share their views on the Government’s Levelling Up strategy, and the role that VC firms can play in it.

Value Creation Summit 2022: “Timing is key to getting internationalisation right”

Private equity backers and management teams must be conscious of timing when implementing an internationalisation strategy, according to speakers at the Real Deals Value Creation Summit

Optimising founders’ performance in an uncertain market

Investors are increasingly looking to deploy professional performance optimisation support to maximise the success of founders. Real Deals' Simon Thompson talks to Natalia Ramsden, managing director at SOFOS Associates, to find out more.

Financing drought threatens SME growth as RLS loan deadline passes, says Manx

More than a quarter (27%) of SMEs polled by Manx Financial Group PLC have had to stop or pause an area of their business because of a lack of finance.

Foresight to start deploying new Foresight North East Fund

Foresight Group, a listed regional private equity and infrastructure investment manager, has announced the first close of the Foresight North East Fund on £38m.

Santander launches international expansion platform

Santander UK has launched Santander Navigator, a digital subscription platform to support UK companies looking to expand internationally.

Investment into small companies grows by 88% to £18.1bn in 2021 - report

Equity investment into smaller UK businesses increased by 88% to £18.1bn in 2021, according to the British Business Bank, marking the highest yearly tally since the bank started tracking the data in 2011.

UK settling into three-day office week, footfall data shows

British workers have settled into a three-day office working week, according to the latest office footfall data from flexible office and workspace operator IWG - with hybrid working beginning to gain parity with salary, pension and holiday as the key factors considered when job hunting.

London remains Europe’s top startup hub - report

Startup Genome's 2022 Global Startup Ecosystem Report has placed London as the world’s number two startup hub alongside New York, and second only to Silicon Valley, with an ecosystem value of $314bn.

Foresight acquires Downing’s ventures businesses

Foresight Group, an infrastructure and private equity manager, has acquired the technology ventures division of Downing LLP, including management of the Venture Capital Trust (VCT) and venture Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) businesses of Downing.

British Business Bank appoints new CEO

The British Business Bank has appointed Louis Taylor as its chief executive officer, succeeding Catherine Lewis La Torre.

Venture Views: VCs and founders exercise greater selectivity around investments

Venture capital (VC) funds and start-ups are becoming more selective around the deals they accept and who they partner with, writes Real Deals' Talya Misiri.

Highest-growing UK SMEs vie for top spots in prestigious Growing Business Awards

With less than three weeks left to enter the 2022 Growing Business Awards, some of the most promising UK SMEs are competing for a chance to showcase their growth and join past winners including Reconomy, Pip & Nut, Revolut and Zoopla

Venture Views: Talent shortage threatens growth of tech industry

The current shortage of tech talent could be preventing start-ups from scaling efficiently, writes Reals Deals' Sam Birchall

Cost of living: one quarter of UK SMEs hit by more late payments

More than a quarter (26%) of UK businesses polled by Barclays have reported that late payments from customers have become more frequent, highlighting how the cost of living crisis is starting to impact SMEs.

Third of banking & financial services professionals mull leaving due to high pressure

Nearly a third (31%) of financial services and banking professionals are planning to leave the industry due to high pressure, according to a new report by digital accountancy platform LemonEdge.

Clearwater International launches new division to boost entrepreneur funding

Clearwater Growth will provide a range of transaction services tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and owner managers of businesses with turnovers up to £40m and equity cheques up to £15m, the firm said in a statement.

Livingbridge launches Software Advisory Board

UK mid-market private equity house Livingbridge has set up the Livingbridge Software Advisory Board, a group of software specialists who can support the firm's investees in facing their growth challenges.

Enterprise Investment Scheme increasingly appealing to small businesses

The number of small businesses planning to raise money under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) rose from 2,965 in 2019/20 to 3,245 in 2020/21 – an increase of almost 10% - according to a report from private investor network Growthdeck.

Disability inclusion improves but digital accessibility falls short

Valuable 500, an international disability network, has published new research revealing intensified efforts to improve disability inclusion within businesses.

What the judges are really looking for

As the entries open for the 2022 Growing Business Awards, the million-dollar question that every hopeful business wants to know the answer to is – what are the judges really looking for? What is it that spells the difference between an entry that makes it onto the coveted shortlist, and one that doesn’t?

London ranked best place in world for young entrepreneurs

Wondering where you are most likely to be surrounded by other young entrepreneurs? The answer is closer than you think, according to new analysis.

THE WINNERS OF THE 2021 GROWING BUSINESS AWARDS

We are absolutely delighted to announce the winners of the 2021 Growing Business Awards. Many congratulations to all our winners.

FD Excellence Awards 2021 - Winners Announcement

We are really pleased to announce the winners of the 21st annual FD Excellence Awards 2021 based on our annual Finance Directors’ Satisfaction Survey.

GBA Finalists predict a challenging but dynamic year of growth ahead

We asked our GBA Finalists for their views about what the year ahead has in store. This is what they told us.

Help us find the UK’s best service providers

If you think you have found a service provider that really delivers, we want to hear about it.

GROWING BUSINESS AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Many congratulations to all the finalists of the 2021 Growing Business Awards

SME LEADERS 20 WINNERS

We are delighted to announce the winners of our SME Leaders 20, an elite leaderboard of excellence run in association with Azets, the UK’s largest regional SME accounting and business advisory firm.

Celebrate your growth at the 23rd annual Growing Business Awards

The Growing Business Awards recognise exceptional growing businesses throughout the UK.

The gift that keeps on giving

A Growing Business Award can deliver a long-lasting boost to your business

bOnline wins a Smaller Company category in 2020 Growing Business Awards

Congratulations to telephony services provider bOnline, which has won the Smaller Company of the Year (turnover up to £10m) category in the 2020 Growing Business Awards.

Congratulations to all the winners of 23rd annual Growing Business Awards 2020

Many congratulations to all the winners of our 2020 Growing Business Awards. We are absolutely delighted to be able to celebrate your outstanding achievements in such a extraordinary and unusual year.

What the Judges said about the winners of the Growing Business Awards

Our judges were extremely impressed by the quality of entries to the 2020 Growing Business Awards, with every category bursting with exciting, vibrant businesses.

FDs’ Excellence Awards 2020 - Winners Announcement

We are delighted to announce the winners of the 20th annual FD Excellence Awards 2020 based on 20th annual Finance Directors’ Satisfaction Survey. We approached FDs and CFOs in the UK with an opportunity to showcase their suppliers who shine and really make a difference to their day to day life.

Top notch Growing Business Awards entries prove entrepreneurial spirit is still alive and kicking in the UK

The Growing Business Awards have once again managed to attract a stellar line up of entries to this year's awards, proving that entrepreneurial spirit is still very much alive and kicking in the UK despite the challenges facing businesses in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Lloyds Banking Group crowned best business bank in FD excellence survey 2020

Lloyds Banking Group has been named the UK’s Best Business Bank in this year’s Financial Directors Excellence survey, for the 16th year in a row.

Scottish Widows crowned best pensions provider in FD excellence survey 2020

Scottish Widows has been named the UK’s Best Pensions Provider in this year’s Financial Directors Excellence survey.

Microsoft Dynamics crowned best financial software provider in FD excellence survey 2020

Microsoft Dynamics has been named the UK’s Best Financial software provider in this year’s Financial Directors Excellence survey.

Azets crowned best accountancy firm in FD excellence survey 2020

Azets, formerly known as Baldwins, has been named the UK’s Best Accountancy Firm in this year’s Financial Directors Excellence survey.