Zen Terrelonge

OP

Opinion 5 min read

Can Shazam’s aggressive visual recognition launch dominate media engagement sector

Shazam, once just a music discovery service, has blossomed over the past few years to support advertisers with TV marketing. Now the company has flexed its muscles to expand beyond sound and into visual recognition technology for its 100m users, and brands including Disney, Evian and Warner Bros – but where does that leave existing players like augmented reality firm Blippar

IN

Interviews 3 min read

Independent studios warm up to lift business from Fitness First and Virgin Active

An increasing number of independent gyms, otherwise known as boutique studios, are opening across the UK and a report has warned big chains including Fitness First, Virgin Active and Sports Direct to sit up and listen.

IN

Interviews 2 min read

DJ Edith Bowman backs Supa Academy’s hunt for 500 young British retail entrepreneurs

Former Radio 1 presenter Edith Bowman has partnered with social enterprise Supa Academy to support its search for 500 aspiring British retail entrepreneurs with River Island, Facebook and Pepsi Max.

NE

News 4 min read

The Queen’s speech: Bosses say EU referendum worrying for UK’s skills and investment

Queen Elizabeth has delivered her state opening speech to mark the beginning of the new Conservative government, and confirmed the European Union referendum will happen by the end of 2017. But business leaders say it's a worry for skills, investment, and should take place before the end of 2016.

OP

Opinion 5 min read

The best of both worlds Financing a 30m venture capital firm with crowdfunding

Banks are often considered part of the problem for businesses that are struggling to secure money. As such, alternative finance methods – such as crowdfunding – have become a blessing, while venture capital is still a popular way to secure investment. But entrepreneur Mark Pearson has something else in mind – financing a VC firm with the crowd.

BU

Business Technology 7 min read

Tailing motoring giant BMW’s race into the UK’s sharing economy

The British sharing economy is rapidly picking up speed, so it seems rather fitting that luxury car manufacturer BMW has its foot pressed firmly down to accelerate through the market with ventures like JustPark and DriveNow.

BU

Business Technology 3 min read

London Gatwick among UK airports fitted with location-based marketing tech to reach 100m passengers

British mobile proximity marketing company Proxama, which pushes deals to consumers' smartphones based on their distance to retailers, has secured a deal that will integrate its Bluetooth beacons technology in airports across the UK.

BU

Business Technology 5 min read

Entrepreneurs should fear Futurama’s alcoholic robot Bender, says ex-Dragon Piers Linney

Millionaire businessman and investor Piers Linney, who left Dragons' Den this year, has stressed to entrepreneurs that change is a good thing which should be embraced – drawing upon cartoon series Futurama as a source of inspiration.

BU

Business Technology 3 min read

Vodafone claims dismissing 4G is undeniably holding enterprises back

British mobile network Vodafone claims the UK's businesses “are in danger of missing out on the digital revolution and falling behind” as 41 per cent of senior decision makers said there are no plans to introduce 4G into their companies.

RA

Raising Finance 2 min read

MMC Ventures and Institute of Directors to foster young British entrepreneurs and investors

To stimulate high-growth British businesses, MMC Ventures and the Institute of Directors (IoD) have teamed up for a partnership that will encourage the country's young entrepreneurs and investors to connect with each other.