Posted By
Laura O'Brien
09 November 2012
Osborne's speech on eight technologies details where he thinks the UK could be a world leader. We need to ensure that opportunities to make this a reality are not missed.
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Posted By
Laura O'Brien
25 October 2012
Kickstarter, the popular crowdfunding platform, is coming to the UK. Its American incarnation has given rise to smart watches, feminist video series, and zombie-based health and fitness apps, all with the backing of engaged fans. Entrepreneurs, philanthropists and creatives pitch an idea to the site’s massive audience and offer rewards to those who are willing to donate towards a pre-specified target amount. If the target is hit or exceeded, the full amount pledged goes towards the project. So far, pitches have had to be based in the USA in order to be hosted over the platform, but as of the 31st of October the site will finally be able to launch projects based in the UK.
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Posted By
Laura O'Brien
22 May 2012
Seedrs has announced that it will be opening its doors to startups seeking seed investment; if it is successful we could see the expansion of a new funding source for British SMEs.
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Posted By
Laura O'Brien
01 May 2012
The Big Innovation Centre was delighted to host yesterday’s launch of 'Strengthening the Contribution of English Higher Education Institutions to the Innovation System: knowledge exchange and HEIF funding', the HEFCE-sponsored report into the contribution of higher education to economic growth.
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Posted By
Laura O'Brien
24 April 2012
The squeeze on bank lending to SMEs shows no signs of abating. February saw a drop in bank lending to UK companies of £4bn, the biggest fall in two years, according to the Bank of England’s quarterly lending report. The rate of decline has been higher for SMEs than for other classes of business.
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Posted By
Laura O'Brien
01 March 2012
Last week it emerged that the unemployment rate was 25% for the 21-year-olds leaving university last year, compared to 20% of 18-year-old school leavers. There is a growing feeling amongst the public that widening participation in higher education has led to a proliferation of ‘mickey mouse’ degrees and a corresponding drop in the quality of graduates. In 2010 a YouGov opinion poll found that 52 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement "too many students are going to university now and it's devaluing degrees".
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Posted By
Laura O'Brien
06 February 2012
For the gaming industry, it would be fair to say last week’s news was mixed, with a big split between the traditional and digital parts of the industry.
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