Business

Battery Ventures has raised $3.25bn in fresh capital to invest in technology companies worldwide, as it doubles down on artificial intelligence and enterprise software opportunities. The new vehicle, Battery Ventures XV, was oversubscribed and closed in a single round, marking one of the largest recent fundraisings in the tech-focused private equity and venture capital market. The Boston- and San Francisco-headquartered firm said the fund will back businesses across the US, Europe and Israel, investing from...

The continual evolution of digital entertainment has given rise to a vibrant ecosystem within the UK’s online gaming sector. Among the numerous offerings available, slot sites have emerged as a particularly dynamic segment. Their rapid development, driven by technological innovations and changing consumer preferences, demands not only an understanding of market trends but also careful attention to regulatory and business challenges. For UK entrepreneurs and business founders, exploring the factors that influence these platforms offers...

McLaren Charlotte has built its career around a simple but demanding idea: high performance requires structure, discipline, and respect for detail. As an authorised member of the McLaren Automotive network, McLaren Charlotte operates inside one of the most exacting performance cultures in the automotive world. From the outset, the business focused less on speed and more on systems. The goal was never to chase attention, but to build something that could last. “We’ve always believed...

Months ago, half a billion dollars flowed into crypto betting startups through new investment rounds. Behind these platforms: blockchain fused with online gambling mechanics draws serious interest. User counts climb, transaction speeds improve – founders point to real shifts underway. Venture Capital Moves Toward Digital Betting Half a billion dollars flowed into cryptocurrency gambling startups lately, and platforms such as 1xbet Ireland have also expanded their casino online presence by exploring faster digital payment options....

Profit margins at the world’s largest luxury goods companies have almost halved in just three years, prompting calls for more disciplined cost management that preserves brand equity while restoring profitability. Research from supply chain consultancy Inverto, part of Boston Consulting Group, shows that the average operating margin across the 20 biggest luxury groups has fallen from 24 per cent in 2022 to 13 per cent today. Half of those companies have seen margins decline over...

UK space technology firm SatVu has secured £30m ($40m) in fresh funding, including a strategic investment from the NATO Innovation Fund, as it accelerates plans to deploy a multi-satellite thermal imaging constellation. The round brings SatVu’s total equity funding to £60m ($80m) and marks a shift from single-satellite demonstration to scaled execution of its space-based “Activity Intelligence” capability. The investment also includes participation from the British Business Bank, Space Frontiers Fund II, managed by SPARX...

Octopus Energy Generation is investing nearly $1bn in Californian clean technology projects, deepening its exposure to the US energy transition and accelerating plans to deploy $2bn across the country by 2030. The funding, channelled through Octopus-managed funds, spans carbon removal, heat battery technology and solar-plus-storage infrastructure, reinforcing the company’s strategy of backing next-generation decarbonisation assets in advanced markets. Octopus will support two California-based carbon removal companies focused on grassland restoration and reforestation, converting degraded land...

If you have ever tried to defend creator spend in front of a CFO, you know the problem. The campaign can look busy on the surface. Views are high, comments are positive, and the creators are asking when the next deal is coming. Then the CFO asks one question: what did we get back in revenue, and how do you know it came from this spend? When the answer leans on Earned Media Value (EMV)...

The British Business Bank has committed up to £45m as a cornerstone investor in Redrice Ventures’ £75m Fund II, aiming to strengthen early-stage investment across the UK’s creative industries. The commitment, made through the Bank’s Enterprise Capital Funds programme, builds on a previous £36m cornerstone backing for Redrice’s first fund in 2021, which helped catalyse additional private capital into what became an oversubscribed vehicle. Founded in 2018, London-based Redrice specialises in seed-stage investments in premium,...

Nominations have opened for the 2026 edition of the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards), marking the 13th year of a programme dedicated to recognising exceptional Black British talent across the UK’s corporate and entrepreneurial landscape. With nearly 500 professionals and entrepreneurs already honoured since its launch, the awards continue to serve as a prominent platform for celebrating leadership, innovation and impact across British business. Organisers are calling on companies to put forward visionary leaders, high-performing...