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1 week ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
Any entrepreneur who uses TikTok for business will tell you that it isn’t just a place for funny videos, trending dances, and viral sounds. The popular social media platform has become a hotspot for small businesses to show off their products and connect with their customers in a way that feels more personal than your average online ad. And for some businesses, going viral on TikTok has led to some great successes.
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2 weeks ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
The UK job market is facing an uphill battle, as new research suggests that concerns about inflation and interest rates are causing businesses to be cautious when it comes to hiring. Research from careers website Reed.co.uk, as reported by LBC, has revealed that job listings have seen a sharp drop over the past year, leaving many jobseekers in a tough spot.
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2 weeks ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
Banking giant NatWest Group has this week announced a minority investment in Yonder, the fast-growing credit card that offers rewards tailored to customer lifestyles and preferences. Yonder has thrice appeared in the Startups 100 Index, our list of the fastest-growing new companies in the UK. The platform placed third this January, fresh off the back of achieving a nine-figure valuation at the end of last year.
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2 weeks ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
The UK has a thriving startup ecosystem, so it’s no surprise that many non-UK residents want to move to the country to start a business.The problem is that the UK’s immigration process is complicated and time-consuming. Among the long list of requirements, you usually need to be in full-time work or study to get approval for a visa. But for entrepreneurs, there is a shortcut.
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2 weeks ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
Many people assume you need six figures to start a business. But thanks to evolving technology and the modern world of work, it’s easier than ever to launch a new venture. It’s fortuitous timing. In today’s poor economy, accessing the funding you need has also become more challenging than ever. If securing financial support now proves to be difficult, a great option is to monetise the skills you already have. This will allow you to launch on a shoestring budget. Say, £1,000?
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3 weeks ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
Tax brackets and responsibilities can be difficult for anyone in the working world to wrap their heads around. But new research suggests even bosses are struggling to make sense of it. Somewhat alarmingly, digital payments provider, takepayments has discovered that 31% of sole traders don’t know what tax band their business is in. With a new financial year starting this Sunday, being unaware of tax obligations can lead to costly penalties.
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3 weeks ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
The new National Living Wage (NLW) was officially introduced yesterday, increasing the minimum hourly pay for all employees aged over 21 to £12.21 per hour (the National Minimum Wage for under 21s has also increased). But many are already urging major retailers to swap out the NLW and pay employees the higher Real Living Wage (RLW) instead. Among them, campaigners are calling on companies like Next, Marks & Spencer, and JD Sports.
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3 weeks ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
Refillable deodorant brand Wild has been bought by the multinational consumer goods company Unilever for an undisclosed sum, in a deal that will reportedly value the brand at £230m. Wild has twice been featured in the Startups 100 Index and was also previously nominated for the Startups 100 Sustainability Award in 2023. Co-founder Charlie Bowes-Lyon yesterday announced the sale on LinkedIn, stating it would help to supercharge Wild’s mission to eliminate single-use plastics in toiletries.
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3 weeks ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
It’s the debate of the century in the recruitment world – are AI job applications a smart hack to win candidates their dream role, or are they just plain cheating? AI is helping many organisations to cut corners on fiddly admin tasks, causing jobseekers to increasingly rely on it to write time-consuming cover letters at scale. Employers and recruiters have been vocal about their disdain for AI CVs. But one expert argues that the use of chatbots and other smart tech isn’t the problem.
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3 weeks ago | 
startups.co.uk | Emily Clark
Image credit: BBC/Simon Pantling Since its first run in 2005, we’ve seen many Dragons’ Den investors come and go – listening to different pitches, negotiating deals and deciding to back some of the UK’s most successful businesses with their hard-earned cash. Like most entrepreneurs, the Dragons didn’t start with millions in their pockets.
