The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) is a government-backed tax incentive aiming to help small startup companies raise finance from investors in return for an equity stake in the business. Chancellor George Osborne introduced SEIS in his Budget 2012. SEIS started on April 6, 2012 and by the end of the 2012-13 tax year, 1,120 […]
Rise of the Investment Platform
Not so long ago, dealing in shares or investing as a business angel from a smartphone or tablet was unthinkable. Today, it’s a reality as millions of pounds are traded and invested every day online at the click of a button. Crowdfunding and investment platforms have revolutionised financial markets and allow entrepreneurs and ordinary people […]
China has the World’s Attention
China became the world’s largest economy as we moved into 2015, overtaking the USA, and although some begrudging US economists may question the legitimacy of the IMF’s Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) report (preferring instead to take the GDP table as gospel), there is no argument with the fact that China does have the world’s fastest […]
Eyes on the XPRIZE
XPRIZE bucks the trend as a global organisation in many ways, perhaps most notably in the fact that they strive for innovation to benefit humanity, rather than for self-serving purposes. The company inspires creators to provide ingenuitive solutions tasked with helping those on the planet who are in the most desperate need. The incentive is […]
Apple Exceeds All Expectations
The record-breaking quarterly profits Apple saw in the final three months of 2014 can really come as no surprise. The fiercely loyal followers of the tech super-giant could have been forgiven for fearing the worst when legendary visionary leader Steve Jobs, sadly passed. But it was Jobs who insisted that no new consideration should be […]
Facebook at Work, Will it Work?
Remember when enterprise social networking was going to be massive? Big investment came in for start-ups and existing social media channels looking to help integrate a business aspect to their own social media platform with the hope of creating a business channel capable of rivalling the popularity of Facebook or Twitter. Conferences were held, online […]
Kickstarter Releases Stats
Popular US-based crowdfunding platform, Kickstarter, has made its funding stats available on its website, and the results show just how far a good idea and a strong web-community can take a project. The mission of Kickstarter to “bring creative projects to life” is certainly being accomplished if the stats are anything to go by, and […]
Indiegogo Preparing for Equity Crowdfunding
Investing in return for an equity stake in the company is a particular avenue that has never been open to the crowdfunding community. This method of potentially profitable investment has previously been reserved for accredited investors only. Despite this, Indiegogo has still managed to successfully launch over 200,000 funding campaigns, sourcing investment in return for […]
Apple Pay Set for Launch
As Apple prepares for the launch of Apple Pay, a payments system which will allow consumers to pay for items and services using their smart devices, is the way in which we buy set to change forever? Near Field Communication Many notable enterprises already use mobile payments, EE has been operating the Cash On Tap […]
Branson gets behind TransferWise
Richard Branson and a variety of other high profile investors have invested $25 million in London-based business, TransferWise. The company was established in March 2010, and offers global currency transfers, without the hidden costs associated with traditional means. The Fintech start-up is one of a handful of innovative companies emanating from the ‘Silicon Roundabout’ district, […]