United Kingdom
I'm an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over a decade of experience covering business, tech and aviation.
Research publihsed in 2024 found that 32% of British people aged 55 or over said they have been thinking about starting a business – and almost a quarter have acted on it.
After a challenging 2023, there were higher hopes for what this year may hold for UK startups looking to raise investment and grow their operation. Did the first quarter live up to expectations?
Despite significant advancements in technology, developing drugs remains difficult and costly. What impact could AI have on the UK’s drug discovery sector and what is investor appetite like?
Manchester, home of six tech unicorns and the UK’s third biggest city, is one of the top startup hubs in the UK. Now, it has the fastest growing fintech sector in the country, which contributes more than £1bn to the regional economy.
The sector is under the spotlight, but is government support to date enough to help the UK’s quantum computing sector thrive on a global scale?
Greater accessibility at airports can transform the travel experience for passengers with additional needs. With more than one in five consumers having a disability, it’s important that airports continue to trial technology to make their operation as accessible as possible to all.
What is cultivated meat, how is it more sustainable than the traditional meat industry, and does the UK have an opportunity to lead the way in this subsector?
Famed as a nation of innovators, Scotland has nurtured successful unicorns like Skyscanner and household names such as FreeAgent. I explored Scotland’s tech ecosystem in 2024 and how events like EIE are central to its continued growth.
The UK continues to tackle a skills gap for crucial tech roles. At the same time, government plans to reduce net migration have caused concerns among startups that it will become even more challenging to secure the right talent.
When is the time to turn your side hustle into your main job? Three entrepreneurs offer their advice.
The process of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) is specialised and complicated – and it is significant to help meet global climate targets. Startups are playing an important role in making the UK’s target a reality.
In Finland's startup scene, the city of Oulu is a significant player. We take a look at why the city is popular with deeptech entrepreneurs
Last year, the number of tech specialists in Ukraine increased by over 7%. What's behind the momentum – and will it continue?
Spacetech and fintech startups lead the way in Scotland – and founders say the ecosystem should be doing more 'shouting from the rooftops'.
Cameron Chell, CEO and president of drone developer Draganfly, talks about the company's role in the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
Generative AI has dominated headlines for almost a year since the launch of US artificial intelligence-powered chatbot Chat GPT in November 2022. The story is still evolving for other generative AI players – especially in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena).
Established markets in North America could be the answer to cultivating change – but can European startups capitalise on these opportunities?
For this Techspace report, I conducted interviews with scaleups about their changing ways of working and what is most important to businesses in 2023.
As portfolio companies struggle, VCs are increasingly having to get their hands dirty, leading to a rise of platform roles.
I explored what Malta has to offer founders, from funding to a blossoming startup ecosystem.
Why does data infrastructure matter to your startup, why you should prioritise it and how do you build it out?
With interest rates remaining high and growth funding low, what roles will debt play in the M&A market this year?
Could rigid airships be the answer to the eco-friendly cargo movement solution? French aeronautic startup Flying Whales thinks so.
I explored the key takeaways from the latest Sifted Talks, which featured representatives from Deel, Vinted and Northzone.
I delved into developments in the healthy processed foods market and how the conventional processed food industry could benefit from new innovation.
I took a deep dive into what it takes to transport pets and animals on jets, from pre-flight essentials to entry requirements.
I spoke to industry experts about why UK women are still under-represented as business leaders and insights on how to fix the issue.
As an angel investor, founders will likely be queuing outside your door to persuade you to put money into their companies, but what about when you want to get it out?
Here's what you need to know about fundraising as a founder - and the top ways to help you get investor ready.
Expanding too soon could be spreading yourself too thin. But expand too late and you risk losing the US market to a competitor.
A container farm is a vertical farming system that is built inside a shipping container. I explored the companies operating in this field, the uptake of container farming and what the future holds for the sector.
The popularity of in-person crafting workshops is on the rise. We spoke to the cofounder of Wecandoo, a platform for local craft workshops
I spoke to industry experts and Gen Z business owners about how small businesses can become more attractive to the generation.
While the tech downturn rumbles on, investment in nuclear fusion remains strong – in 2021, over €2.7 billion was injected in this field alone. I talked to startups and VCs about the thriving sector.
Eva Wan, head of aviation digital strategy at Shell Aviation, talks about the role for blockchain in the future of sustainable aviation fuel.
From attracting LPs to working out the legal stuff, here's the lowdown on setting up your first-time VC fund.
By hiring people with different personalities, backgrounds and life experiences, businesses are more likely to foster deeper discussions, encourage new ideas, and grow to reach their full potential. I explored how SBOs can make this a reality.
Delaware is a small territory with a big reputation - so, why do startups decide to set up shop there, and how do you get started?
The need for humanitarian aid for the millions of people impacted by the Turkey-Syria earthquakes is colossal. I looked at aviation's role in providing that much-needed support.
As startups increasingly go remote, it's crucial they keep up to date with the differing regulations of hiring employees versus contractors.
The government created DSIT to "drive innovation" and focus solely on supporting the UK's science and tech sectors. But what has it achieved so far, and where do UK tech stakeholders think it can do more?
Estonia's startup ecosystem is evolving - and they are keen to attract foreign talent. What do you need to know before moving to Estonia?
I asked eight startups what they think about the importance of branding – and what rebranding can mean.
Shares in a startup can be lucrative, but how do you know if you're getting a good deal?
Carried interest provides GPs of VC funds and the wider investment team with an incentive to find the best deals - here's how it works.
What's typically included on the term sheet of a university spinout and what should founders keep an eye out for?
Four founders share the funding routes they took to finance their university spinout startups, from VC backing to grants.
Changes in EU law means certain companies will be required to submit ESG reports. How can smaller startups help?
In a new BCG X report, 73% of senior business leaders said that business building is a major priority for them.
Six experts share their thoughts on how to best approach social media strategy as a startup or small business.
Creating an exemplary customer service experience is essential to encourage brand loyalty and boost revenue.
I did midyear analysis of what's fast becoming a make-or-break year for UK small businesses.
GITEX Africa highlighted the continent's growing potential as a tech powerhouse. I spoke to VC Breega about their commitment to Africa's startup ecosystem.
How can the GenAI help make UN's SDG goals a reality and what role do startups play in this mission? We asked the experts.
Changes in EU law means certain companies will be required to submit ESG reports. How can smaller startups help?
I looked into this emerging diversification strategy and the benefits it can bring to startups in today's business landscape.
Learning how to strategise in the early days of a startup is crucial. We break it down, with help from the experts.
Chief revenue officers from Personio, Patchwork Health, Qonto and FIXR explain their role, the challenges and the skills you need to succeed.
From the pros and cons of listing to what makes a 'good' exit, here's everything you need to know about IPOs.
Revolut's CFO Mikko Salovaara has resigned from the company citing "personal reasons", the latest in a string of setbacks for the fintech as it pushes to become a global 'super app' and secure a UK banking licence.
Discover what NDAs are, how they work and what needs to be included to make sure your company's sensitive information is protected.
The UK's financial regulator has shared plans to boost London IPOs and address "a significant drop in the number of listed companies in the UK since 2008."
With mass layoffs in the tech world continuing to dominate headlines, it's easy to think that the tech downturn has wiped out any chances of progress for UK startups in 2023 - but how true is this?
As the world continues to go more digital than ever before, businesses are learning to adapt to new ways of working – and that includes hiring a global team.
I worked with agency Dentsu on NatWest's cost of living content project. This three-month role involved writing articles to help its customers navigate the current economic climate. These ranged from a guide on how to support a loved one through the cost of living crisis, to a listicle of TikTok accounts to follow for money-saving tips.
According to Austrian Startup Monitor, more than 2,800 startups have been founded in Austria since 2010. Of those, more than a third (34%) are green impact startups - and now, their expertise is in demand in the capital Vienna.
As a founder, it can be hard to know how to spend pre-seed funding - especially as the round is often the first significant cash injection a startup will get. I took a deep dive into the topic and spoke to founders and VCs to learn more.
You operate in the business travel industry and you’re interested in partnering with a fintech – where do you begin?
When Jay Shen was preparing for a presentation as part of his PhD research into sensor technology, never could he have imagined that the day would end with an idea that would evolve into a startup with over 220,000 users and helping a sector that was desperately in need of innovation.
According to research on aviation worker wellbeing by Trinity College Dublin, only 47% say their mental health is very good or good. I investigated how mental health support is being approached by the industry, the fallout of the pandemic on mental health, and what more needs to be done.
In this edition of Sifted Talks, we reviewed how cost management remains king when planning geographical growth, where and when to invest in your team and how opening communication channels with employees can prove fruitful in the long-term.
Building a talent pool is an effective way to ensure your hiring yields the best results, both for talent and diversity. But who is responsible for managing the pool? I spoke to HR experts to find out more.
In 2022, airports continued their battle with a post-pandemic recovery, and there is still much to overcome as we enter a new year. I spoke with aviation experts to discuss their trend predictions for 2023.
Angel investors offer time, money and expertise. But what extra perks are there to welcoming angel groups to your cap table?
What role do airports play in promoting and protecting the biodiversity of their surrounding areas? I investigated the efforts airports are making in the field and what more can be done.
I spoke to Recycle Russia's cofounder, Fred Roeder, about creating luggage tags from a downed Russian Jet to raise money for Ukraine’s defenders, and took a look at the invasion's ongoing impact on aviation.
For Sifted, I took a look at how startups and small businesses are responding to the current economic uncertainty and shifting their strategies to meet customer expectations.
Qatar is preparing to make history by hosting not only the country's first FIFA World Cup, but the first to be staged in the Middle East and in the smallest host nation to do so.
With no end in sight for the uncertainty in Europe's tech ecosystem, SaaS startups are looking at new ways to increase revenue and profitability. Embedded finance is one option, but how does it work and what is it?
Data from startups across Europe shows clear signs of an economic downturn in the European tech space, leading businesses to reevaluate their burn rates and expenditure. To keep flexibility and agility while growing their team and optimise costs, some startups are turning to outsourcing.
While investing in a new project can be daunting for startups during economic uncertainty, a huge number of businesses have thrived in adversity in the past - Airbnb, Beyond Meat and Uber. How could your startup continue to grow during the current economic uncertainty?
Did you know just 1.1% of funding went to women-led businesses in 2021? There is a huge financial knowledge gap between men versus women and non-binary people. I spoke to Margot De Broglie, cofounder at Your Juno, who has created a platform to address exactly that.
Every startup knows that a smart marketing strategy is an important tool for growth. But as the challenging economic landscape continues to unfold , a shift to a more human-centric approach to marketing is becoming more essential.
The number of digital nomads and remote workers is and because of this, so too is a need for the infrastructure to support remote talent. Data by global HR solutions provider WorkMotion found that 16% of companies worldwide already offer 100% remote working.
As part of the US’s climate goals, the Biden Administration has published a new plan focusing on the role of sustainable aviation fuel in the future of US aviation. I took a look into what it means for the aviation industry.
It took 18 years for Dearbhail Ormond, CEO and founder of Frendo, to be given a diagnosis of endometriosis. Her harrowing experience led her to launch an app specifically designed to help endometriosis patients and those with suspected endometriosis symptoms.
Research into over 200 companies conducted by Figures, a compensation app for startups and scaleups, found 75% of companies headquartered in the US have already taken action when it comes to salary raises or bonuses.
A coffee machine just doesn't cut it anymore - the traditional office is dead, and employers now need to do more to attract top talent back to the physical workspace.
According to a special report from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global warming can be limited through combinations of new and existing technologies, including carbon capture.
Did you know 14,000 tonnes of paint tins go to landfill every year? John Stubbs, founder and managing director at YesColours, and Emma Bestley, its cofounder and creative director, want to help change that.
Love Not War is a British sustainable sex toy startup that understands pleasure is important, and so is the planet. That’s why they created the world’s first sustainable range of eco-friendly vibrators. I spoke to its cofounder, Will Ranscombe.
The startup world is bursting at the seams with talented female founders, yet they're not being rewarded equally. In Vienna, the story gets more positive. This article was branded content in collaboration with ViennaUP'22.
Our first guest on the VOICE by Maddyness podcast is Farah, cofounder of sexual wellness and intimate health brand HANX. The idea for the business came after an awkward encounter with her boss while shopping for condoms on her lunch break.
I looked at the the ten most innovative start-up companies emerging from the Thames Valley that build on the region's expertise in data and track record of university spin-outs.
Our fourth guest on the VOICE by Maddyness podcast is Emma, founder of Killing Kittens. The business hosts female-orientated sex parties globally and has an online community of over 100,000 members.
If you’re reading this on the day of publication, it’s exactly a decade since Crowdcube, the UK crowdfunding platform, launched. Since then, it has accrued over 1M members and has helped businesses raise a total of more than £1B. Not bad, right?
For this five-page feature, I explored how talent shortages and staff retention could be the biggest challenge facing business aviation over the next decade.
Restrictions over the past 10 months have meant that most of us have spent more time at home. This has led many to reorganise and purge unwanted items, but with charity shops closed and unnecessary trips to the Post Office avoided, how else can we rid ourselves of our unloved fashion?
Beauty marketing campaigns would have you believe that everyone covets straight, smooth hair, but that simply isn’t the case. The Wild Curl has been created specifically for curly hair, a market the brand believes has been neglected for too long.
To celebrate International Women's Day, we asked female founders, leaders and VCs to share their best advice for those looking to follow in their footsteps - advice from female entrepreneurs, for female entrepreneurs.
I spoke to Benjamin Chemla, CEO and cofounder of Shares, about disinformation, marrying advice and investing, and the importance of inclusivity.
I spoke to Duncan Barrigan, chief product officer at GoCardless, about revolutionising the payment collection process, why he believes existing payments systems are broken, and the common errors businesses make when it comes to invoicing.
The impact of coronavirus has created new challenges for cybersecurity. In the latest webinar in Wayra UK’s Big Tech Sister series, female tech founders discussed the impact of the global pandemic on cybersecurity and the fresh issues that have arisen.
The first episode focused on some of the key marketing and growth issues startups tackle and the challenges that come with scaling. The panel featured a discussion between Anthony Rose, founder and CEO of SeedLegals, and Dr Geraint Evans, who works with numerous large brands and founders of startups on their marketing and growth strategies.
I spoke to Sonya Iovieno, head of venture & growth at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) UK Branch, about pinpointing job specifications, the key to success in overseas growth, and the sudden uptick in digital adoption.
Good Boost is a mission-led organisation that provides affordable and accessible therapeutic exercise programmes for both in water and on land via an AI app. We spoke to its founder, Ben Wilkins, about Good Boost’s impact on the rehab realm and the importance of team motivation to propel its success.
The huge number of businesses driven online in order to survive over the past 12 months has created a heightened need for efficient cybersecurity. Nadia Kadhim, CEO of Naq Cyber, has created a solution to help small businesses reduce the threat posed by hackers online.
Have you tried to book a UK holiday for this summer? With certainty on overseas holidays being allowed still unclear, more people than ever before are using their annual leave to stay on home soil and explore what the country has to offer.
The number of female founders is on the rise, and many budding entrepreneurs are in need of support to take that next step for their startup. In a quest to remedy this, Ceylan Boyce founded Academy for Women Entrepreneurs to coach business-minded women and support them in reaching their full potential.
The global pandemic has made most people consider the mortality of both themselves and their loved ones. Digital storage platform My Family Recovery Plan hopes to make death a little easier to manage for those left behind. We spoke to its innovator, Bernerdine Noronha.
I was ghostwriter for the 68-page Cannes Lions Innovation Report 2017, which highlighted promising startups. The report was distributed ahead of the annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.
Millions of vulnerable people are illegally trafficked around the world every year, many of them through airports. How are airports, airlines and charities working together to combat the problem?
