Founders stories

AI is fuelling a boom in solo UK “Founder + AI” ventures as entrepreneurs favour lean, automated operations over hiring staff.

NIIT Learning Systems snaps up US learning designer SweetRush for up to USD $26m to boost AI-driven custom training and near-shore reach.

UK learning platform HowNow backs domain-specific AI agents to join teams as ‘colleagues’ by 2026, reshaping workflows and competition.

Manchester agency PushON marks 20 years with 40% revenue growth, tripled scale and fresh AI-driven, international eCommerce ambitions.

Hedgehog lab has bought Label Sessions to build a full-stack innovation consultancy, linking AI delivery with a 500-strong global expert network.

Bizcap appoints long-time executive Rebecca del Rio as Deputy CEO for APAC, expanding her leadership as the lender accelerates global growth.

Canadian merger and acquisition activity is set to surge in 2026 as domestic startups gain favour, driven by local firms seeking labour-saving tech solutions.

NEC X invites founders to join Elev X! Ignite, offering hands-on AI access and up to USD $250,000 funding for seed-ready B2B SaaS startups.

Australia has seen a 40% rise in tech rescue projects, revealing a gap between startup ambition and early-stage technical support needed for scaling.

UK fintech founders embrace AI, with 83% adopting it, despite 81% losing confidence in the economy and nearly half considering relocating abroad due to tax concerns.

SOUTHSTART 2026 returns to Adelaide, uniting founders, investors, and innovators across Australia’s startup and technology sectors in March.

High-growth firms often underestimate equity's true cost, risking excessive dilution and lost control despite apparent freedom from immediate repayments.

KiwiSaaS relaunches as an industry-led network under NZTech to drive growth and connect New Zealand’s booming SaaS sector contributing NZD $2.2bn to GDP.

Gaming firms often raise equity early on, but cohort financing offers a smarter, less dilutive way to fund predictable growth stages.

Surveys show Osome users in Singapore and Hong Kong report higher satisfaction and loyalty than clients of traditional accounting firms.

Deel launches Business Visas service to simplify short-term international travel, easing HR burdens amid rising global business trips and regulatory changes.

Employee share schemes are expanding beyond tech, helping Australian SMEs attract and retain staff while fostering widespread wealth creation through equity.

Salus Ventures has appointed Dr Shane Arnott to its Strategic Advisor Program, enhancing its mission to bolster Australia's defence technology and resilience.

In the fast-paced tech industry, founders risk stagnation by prioritising speed over strategic learning, potentially overlooking vital market shifts.

Fiverr has unveiled its largest cohort yet for The Future Collective, a business accelerator supporting 15 underrepresented entrepreneurs across the US.