Technology startups

Today's technology startup could be tomorrow's IT giant, and IT managers need to be aware of research and development (R&D) in IT that could provide innovative solutions to their business needs. We focus on the tech startups that offer innovation and fresh thinking for enterprise IT managers.

News 15 Sep 2023
Number of UK contactless payments rose by 30% last year

UK consumers are increasingly making contactless payments, with the number of payments using the technology up 30% last year Continue Reading
News 12 Sep 2023
European fintech investment plummets, but more sustainable future lies ahead

Investment in European fintechs has seen a dramatic drop, but a more sustainable sector will result from investment discipline Continue Reading

News 29 Dec 2022

Top 10 technology startup stories of 2022

Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 technology startup stories of 2022 Continue Reading
News 15 Dec 2022

Digital Ethics Summit: Who benefits from new technology?

Experts at the 2022 Digital Ethics Summit say expedited development cycles and obviously over-hyped PR material, in tandem with the public’s near-total exclusion from conversations around technology, is creating distrust towards the tech sector Continue Reading
News 09 Dec 2022

Labour unveils plans to make UK global startup hub

The Labour Party has published a review into the UK startup landscape, which calls for a number of changes to help make the country a more attractive place for startups Continue Reading
E-Zine 08 Dec 2022

CW Europe: Finland prepares for drone technology take-off

Finland is preparing for a future where it could rely on flying drone technology. Read about its plans in this issue. Also find out how a PhD student in the Netherlands is helping to detect hidden messages on the internet by using steganography. Continue Reading
News 06 Dec 2022

Industrial IoT focus of next NCSC startup challenge

The NCSC for Startups programme is looking for innovative ideas to encrypt and secure the industrial internet of things Continue Reading
News 30 Nov 2022

Parity AI talks about auditing recruitment algorithms for bias

Algorithmic auditing firm Parity speaks to Computer Weekly about the process of auditing artificial intelligence for bias, following its partnership with AI-powered recruitment platform Beamery Continue Reading
News 27 Nov 2022

Plexal inducts six into cyber leadership scheme

Tech innovation hub Plexal is expanding its Cyber Runway programme with a new Ignite strand dedicated to supporting high-potential security leaders Continue Reading
Opinion 22 Nov 2022

New India – the next global tech magnet

A group of UK tech leaders visited India, and may have seen the next world-leading tech ecosystem emerging Continue Reading
News 17 Nov 2022

Brexit deregulation will make UK next Silicon Valley, vows Hunt

Chancellor vows to revolutionise how the IT industry is regulated to spur competition, investment and innovation in a technological ‘Big Bang’ Continue Reading
News 14 Nov 2022

Sadiq Khan launches Data for London Advisory Board

Board will look at how to join up and share data between public and private London organisations in an effort to build a stronger data economy and improve public services Continue Reading
News 07 Nov 2022

UK climate tech startup investment doubles in 2022

Climate technology investment has nearly doubled in the UK over the past year and is growing globally, but questions remain over how to scale capacity and whether the necessary change will occur in time to prevent climate catastrophe Continue Reading
News 07 Nov 2022

Public sector IT projects need ethical data practices from start

Data ethics needs to be integrated into public sector IT projects from the very start, and considered throughout every stage of the process, to be effective Continue Reading
News 26 Oct 2022

ICO warns against using biometrics for ‘emotional analysis’

ICO warning highlights risk of ‘systemic bias’ and discrimination associated with organisations using biometric data and technologies for emotion analysis Continue Reading
News 25 Oct 2022

Sainsbury’s outsources for cloud-first benefits

Retailer signs multi-year IT services contract with Tata Consultancy Services to support move to cloud-first strategy Continue Reading
News 25 Oct 2022

UK needs stronger regional innovation clusters outside South East

Venture capital fund managers speak to Computer Weekly about the importance of innovation clusters to the UK tech ecosystem, and the need to develop further investment opportunities outside the South East Continue Reading
E-Zine 25 Oct 2022

The Most Influential Women in UK Technology 2022

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we reveal our annual list of the 50 Most Influential Women in UK Technology. We talk to the No.1 on the list, Flavilla Fongang, about how to improve diversity and inclusion in the sector. And we introduce our seven rising stars – the future female leaders of UK IT. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 19 Oct 2022

Lloyds Bank launches innovation sandbox

Banking group establishes a sandbox where fintechs can build and test applications for Lloyds Continue Reading
News 18 Oct 2022

Skype’s legacy and the rise of the ‘new Nordics’

Estonia and other Baltic states could be part of a ‘new Nordics’ of technology innovation Continue Reading
Opinion 10 Oct 2022

Currency markets causing choppy waters for UK outsourcing

Anthony Drake, director at tech advisory ISG, explains how the UK government’s botched mini-Budget announcement raised the cost of IT outsourcing Continue Reading
News 10 Oct 2022

Dutch infrastructure sector seeks closer collaboration with government

Although the Netherlands government is increasingly realising how vital the country’s digital infrastructure is, it lacks sufficient policy-making and vision, say industry associations Continue Reading
News 06 Oct 2022

Tech Nation and PwC launch joint climate tech accelerator

The Net Zero X programme by Tech Nation and PwC will help climate tech companies to overcome common growth challenges and scale faster Continue Reading
News 04 Oct 2022

Public sector aims to close digital skills gap with private sector

Digital leaders from the public sector have stressed the need to build up the digital skills and capabilities of civil servants to successfully deliver the government’s digital transformation ambitions, but not at the expense of supplier ecosystems Continue Reading
News 04 Oct 2022

Next phase of open banking already gathering pace

Open banking has had a major impact on the banking industry as finance forms harness data to provide better services, but the next phase of open finance promises even more Continue Reading
News 30 Sep 2022

A new take on an old relationship: Nordic startups lure UK investors to their front doors

When startup worlds collide: investment and entrepreneurship partnerships form across the Nordics and UK Continue Reading
News 29 Sep 2022

Cost-of-living crisis could spur fintech adoption

The cost-of-living crisis could have a similar impact on fintech and digital banking as the Covid-19 pandemic did, inducing further innovation in the fintech sector Continue Reading
News 29 Sep 2022

Five startups to join NCSC for Startups initiative

The NCSC has invited five startups to join its NCSC for Startups programme to help the government with pressing cyber challenges facing the UK Continue Reading
News 28 Sep 2022

UK suffers third highest number of ransomware attacks globally

Based on an analysis of around 5,000 ransomware incidents, NordLocker has found that UK businesses, and small businesses in particular, are a priority target for ransomware gangs Continue Reading
News 27 Sep 2022

Robo investment platform adopts open banking-based payments

Nordic consumer investment fintech simplifies customer experience through open banking software from Mastercard-owned Aiia Continue Reading
News 26 Sep 2022

More than 30 startups to join Plexal’s Cyber Runway accelerator

Now in its second year, the Cyber Runway accelerator has been designed to support firms at various stages of growth, as well as help the cyber security sector to improve on its diversity, inclusion and regional representation Continue Reading
News 23 Sep 2022

Copenhagen Fintech connects its members to the world

Copenhagen-based startup initiative is driving fintech developments across the Nordic region, with Mastercard its latest global partner Continue Reading
News 22 Sep 2022

Tech Nation announces 13 startups for 11th Future Fifty cohort

Thirteen high-growth startups set to join Tech Nation’s 11th annual Future Fifty programme to help them scale further Continue Reading
News 22 Sep 2022

Nordic private equity firms pursue cyber security acquisitions

Increasing interest in the security sector from Nordic private equity firms is a reflection of growing threats and increasing enterprise security budgets Continue Reading
News 16 Sep 2022

Barnet Council awards Capita contract extension

Barnet Council has awarded Capita a contract extension as part of its transition away from a large contract with the supplier Continue Reading
Feature 13 Sep 2022

AI Sweden connects the dots to keep the country competitive

How and why a centre dedicated to accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence technology has been created in Sweden Continue Reading
News 13 Sep 2022

Blancco works with charity to provide IT for African schools

Blancco is providing data sanitisation and erasure software to The Turing Trust so that old IT equipment can be securely reused by school children in Sub-Saharan Africa, instead of adding to world’s growing e-waste problem Continue Reading
News 09 Sep 2022

Interview: Keeping an IT business going during the Russian invasion

After heading home and discovering that his country had been invaded, Konstantin Klyagin was forced to make life-changing family and business decisions Continue Reading
News 09 Sep 2022

Sweden is ideal breeding ground for a direct-to-consumer unicorn

Sweden’s socially driven technology prowess could soon yield an e-commerce unicorn digitising direct to customers Continue Reading
News 07 Sep 2022

Tech Nation Libra programme selects 35 scaleups for second cohort

The Libra 2.0 programme is designed to help underrepresented founders in the UK who are growing and seeking specific support for scaling up their business Continue Reading
Feature 07 Sep 2022

How Sweden goes about innovating

A country of only 10 million people, Sweden is holding its own in the international community when it comes to innovation – and it’s no accident Continue Reading
News 02 Sep 2022

Interview: Sibstar, the fintech app for dementia sufferers

Creator of app and debit card designed to support people living with dementia tells Computer Weekly how the idea developed Continue Reading
News 23 Aug 2022

Home Office announces Scale-up visa for fast-growth firms

Scale-up visa launched to help high-growth businesses employ talent from overseas, but sponsorship requirements could undermine effectiveness Continue Reading
News 23 Aug 2022

Farming tech projects get £16.5m in government funding

Projects receiving funding through latest round of farming innovation programme include tech to improve fruit farming and the use of artificial intelligence to improve pigs’ welfare Continue Reading
News 16 Aug 2022

Cyber security accelerator launches in Greater Manchester

Accelerator will add to Manchester’s growing cyber security ecosystem, which already includes several tech unicorns, arms companies and the offices of GCHQ Continue Reading
News 12 Aug 2022

Met Police ramps up facial recognition despite ongoing concerns

The Metropolitan Police is taking an “irresponsible” approach to deploying live facial-recognition technology, say experts. We talk to civil society groups, lawyers and politicians about the controversial programme Continue Reading
News 10 Aug 2022

Increase in UK startups scaling to exit, but half still struggle

Despite more startups scaling to the point of exit than ever before, half are still stuck in low growth stages – particularly those working with emerging technologies Continue Reading
News 10 Aug 2022

UK to surveil convicted migrants with facial recognition

A Home Office scheme to biometrically scan the faces of convicted migrants who have already carried out punishments has come under fire from privacy and human rights groups for being discriminatory Continue Reading
Opinion 04 Aug 2022

Reimagining ethical digital technology

With ever-increasing digitisation leading to greater dependence on a range of digital technologies, enterprises need to urgently look at how they can incorporate ethical and social considerations into the tech they develop Continue Reading
News 03 Aug 2022

New EU due diligence law needs amending to stop tech sector abuse

European corporate due diligence directive seeking to transform how companies approach their human rights and environmental risk is welcome, but without further changes, it will fail to effectively curb tech firms’ harmful practices, claims international non-profit Continue Reading
News 02 Aug 2022

UK safety tech sector sees strong revenue and employment growth

Safety tech is now one of the fastest-growing sectors in the UK tech industry, with jumps in revenue, investment and employment Continue Reading
News 01 Aug 2022

Estonia is building AI Gov Stack

Data scientists in Baltic nation are creating a repository of software code that provides building blocks for digital services Continue Reading
Feature 29 Jul 2022

Luxembourg taps into innovation for better government tech

With a diverse population and a digital inclusion and open innovation strategy, Luxembourg has developed a way of using technology to improve government services Continue Reading
News 28 Jul 2022

NCSC startups scheme turns focus to operational technology, SME security

NCSC for Startups initiative turns its focus to supporting innovation around securing operational technology and addressing the challenges facing small businesses Continue Reading
News 26 Jul 2022

Supermarket facial recognition challenged by privacy group

Big Brother Watch’s legal challenge against Southern Co-op’s use of facial recognition claims the use of the technology in stores is ‘unlawful’ and ‘Orwellian in the extreme’ Continue Reading
News 22 Jul 2022

Russia could become the world’s largest market for illegal IT

Russia could become the biggest market for illegal IT equipment as companies try to get round sanctions imposed on the country Continue Reading
News 21 Jul 2022

UK government introduces data reforms legislation to Parliament

Proposed changes to UK’s data protection regime include new grounds for data processing, significant powers for the secretary of state to direct the regime’s application, and fewer restrictions on law enforcement’s use of data Continue Reading
News 20 Jul 2022

Starling Bank withdraws application for licence in Ireland

App-based bank decides against completing its application for a banking licence in Ireland after concluding it did not offer enough value Continue Reading
News 20 Jul 2022

Barnet Council to bring work outsourced to Capita back in-house by 2026

London borough is bringing swathes of outsourced services back in-house next year, with more to follow by 2026 Continue Reading
News 19 Jul 2022

European IT services see bumper quarter, but signs of slowing emerge

Spending on IT and BPO services in Europe saw significant growth in the past quarter, but there are signs of a slowdown Continue Reading
News 19 Jul 2022

UK fintech outperforms global sector

Investment in UK fintech continues to increase, outpacing a flat global sector, according to Innovate Finance Continue Reading
E-Zine 19 Jul 2022

Tracking the rise of homeworking across the UK

In this week’s Computer Weekly, new figures show that homeworking has more than doubled in the UK due to the pandemic – we look at the regional differences. The pressure is growing on cyber security teams – we analyse the expert advice on how to avoid staff burnout and lost talent. And we examine the important role that tech startups play in the rapid growth of Amazon Web Services. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 18 Jul 2022

Dutch multinational hires HCL for digital transformation

Netherlands-based DSM is moving to a single-supplier IT services model for its digital transformation Continue Reading
News 15 Jul 2022

Drivers’ union calls for immediate dismissal of Uber executive

Uber’s continued employment of an executive directly involved in efforts to resist regulatory oversight puts the ride-hailing firm in breach of its 2018 licence conditions, says drivers’ union Continue Reading
News 14 Jul 2022

Global IT services market shows signs of slowing

Spending on IT and business process services could be set to reduce over the coming months as the latest ISG figures show early signs of decline Continue Reading
Feature 11 Jul 2022

Retailers choose from menu of mobile apps to help reduce food waste

Supermarkets, convenience stores and coffee shops are among the retailers connecting with mobile apps and tech firms to drive down the wastage of food Continue Reading
News 08 Jul 2022

Ofcom publishes Online Safety Roadmap

The roadmap sets out how the online harms regulator will approach implementing the UK’s online safety regime, and tells tech firms to start preparing for the new rules Continue Reading
News 06 Jul 2022

Plexal seeks new scaleups for next phase of Cyber Runway

Established security startups looking to grow and scale their operations are being invited to join the next phase of Plexal’s Cyber Runway programme Continue Reading
News 24 Jun 2022

Ministers and MPs outline vision for digital economy

Government ministers and MPs met with the tech sector to discuss the UK’s digital strategy, the future of work, and how to deal with the country’s tech skills deficit Continue Reading
News 17 Jun 2022

Tech sector sustainability efforts need full ecosystem approach

Reorienting the tech sector around collaboration rather than competition and reassessing the industry’s conventional wisdom around economic growth is essential to improving sustainability on the timescale needed, London Tech Week attendees are told Continue Reading
News 17 Jun 2022

MoD sets out strategy to develop military AI with private sector

The UK Ministry of Defence has outlined its intention to work closely with the private sector to develop and deploy a range of artificial intelligence-powered technologies, committing to ‘lawful and ethical AI use’ Continue Reading
News 16 Jun 2022

Dundee security research centre opens with support from SBRC

An £18m hub at Abertay University in Dundee forms the centrepiece of Scotland’s first security research cluster Continue Reading
News 15 Jun 2022

Virgin Money slashes loan application time through fintech

Business loan application process at Virgin Money cut from days to minutes through fintech platform Continue Reading
News 13 Jun 2022

Tech startups raise more than £12bn in 2022 to date

The £12.4bn in venture capital raised is more than was raised in the whole of 2020, putting the UK ahead of every country other than the US Continue Reading
E-Zine 09 Jun 2022

CW Europe: Russia escalates cyber war on Ukraine

Microsoft has given details of cyber attacks on Ukrainian civilian communications, nuclear safety authorities, and the exploitation of the destruction of Mariupol in a phishing campaign. Also read about a report on the European Artificial Intelligence Act that suggests a limited ban on predictive policing systems. Continue Reading
Feature 08 Jun 2022

Swedish entrepreneurs capture the world’s attention with eye-tracking technology

A growing number of killer apps are driving the uptake of eye-tracking systems – and Sweden is positioned to play a leading role Continue Reading
News 07 Jun 2022

Russia looks towards import substitution in its IT sector

The exodus of Western IT companies from Russia and sanctions imposed on the country amid its military invasion of Ukraine are leading to shortages of IT and professionals in the sector Continue Reading
News 01 Jun 2022

Environmental social governance law enhances Danish tech’s impact

A new environmental and social law in Denmark could help the country’s tech startup ecosystem to differentiate Continue Reading
News 30 May 2022

Iceland’s natural and digital approach to healthcare disrupts global sector

Iceland has the perfect blend of natural health remedies and tech startup entrepreneurship to shake up the world healthcare sector Continue Reading
Feature 26 May 2022

Tech companies join UK four-day work week trial

Computer Weekly speaks with tech companies taking part in the UK’s upcoming four-day work week trial, which will measure the impact of shorter working weeks on productivity, wellbeing and the environment Continue Reading
News 24 May 2022

JPMorgan’s UK digital retail bank reaches half-million customer mark

Chase Bank in the UK has already reached the half-million customer mark, but expects a profit to be some years away Continue Reading
News 24 May 2022

Fintech unicorn Klarna to cut 10% of staff amid global shocks

Fintech unicorn to slash jobs in reaction to global economic shocks signalling challenges in the financial technology sector Continue Reading
News 20 May 2022

Third of organisations to outsource more IT amid talent shortage

Cutting costs is not the main reason for outsourcing IT in the UK, according to a major study Continue Reading
News 20 May 2022

Former Welsh steelworks becomes ‘living’ cyber lab

ResilientWorks security centre in Ebbw Vale provides an education hub for students and a testbed for industry Continue Reading
News 13 May 2022

Pro-competition data sharing will not include users’ personal info, says minister

UK government proposals to improve competition in digital markets by making tech giants share data with smaller firms will not include consumers’ personal information, says digital minister Continue Reading
News 12 May 2022

App-based Starling Bank doubles its Cardiff workforce

Digital bank is recruiting nearly 500 people, including data scientists and engineers, to its Cardiff operation Continue Reading
News 10 May 2022

CyberUK 22: Wales splashes £9.5m on cyber innovation hub

A new innovation hub hopes to spur on cyber security innovation in Wales Continue Reading
News 05 May 2022

Swedish digital entrepreneur interview: Haider Abdo

Consumer demands changed during Covid-19 and Swedish entrepreneur Haider Abdo has used this as a platform to take niche startup to the next level in the retail sector Continue Reading
News 05 May 2022

Five companies join NCSC for Startups to deal with ransomware

The NCSC has invited five startups to join the NCSC for Startups programme to develop tech that can help deal with the threat of ransomware Continue Reading
News 28 Apr 2022

More than 38,000 UK tech firms incorporated in 2021

Incorporation of technology firms in the UK was 62% higher last year than in 2020, with strong regional growth despite continued dominance of London in the ecosystem Continue Reading
News 26 Apr 2022

BCS passes defiant Ukrainian tech industry message to its members

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, has passed on a message from Ukrainian IT suppliers that the country is open for, and in need of, business Continue Reading
News 26 Apr 2022

How Denmark attracts tech companies

Danish government encourages research in strategic fields – and encourages the development of clusters, which include research institutes, tech suppliers and customers Continue Reading
News 21 Apr 2022

Tech to account for over half of regulatory compliance spending

By 2026, regtech will account for more than half of the money that businesses spend on compliance with regulations Continue Reading
Feature 14 Apr 2022

Refugee support group works with tech startup on reporting system

Computer Weekly speaks to a refugee support group about its ongoing collaboration with an academic tech startup to develop a digital human rights reporting system for refugees Continue Reading
News 07 Apr 2022

European IT and BPO outsourcing off to strong start

European IT and business process outsourcing services continue to increase rapidly, with cloud-based services now more than half of the total Continue Reading
News 05 Apr 2022

Structured decentralisation is the key to unlocking Nordic-level innovation

Finnish tech entrepreneurs will be taking the stage at the World Economic Forum to tell the world about the role of trust in Finnish startup success Continue Reading
News 30 Mar 2022

Lax money laundering controls lands N26 with ban from Italian central bank

German digital bank N26 has had problems with anti-money laundering regulations in the past, and is now banned in Italy Continue Reading
News 29 Mar 2022

UK tech ecosystem reaches $1tn valuation

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic prompted massive investment in the UK’s digital companies, which are collectively valued at $1tn Continue Reading
News 24 Mar 2022

Ad agency slashes NetApp costs with Datadobi data migration

US-based branding agency needed to migrate 20TB of large files to new NetApp hardware, but unwilling to stomach the vendor’s migration costs it chose Datadobi instead Continue Reading
Opinion 18 Mar 2022

National Cyber Strategy will enhance UK’s cyber power status

The UK punches above its weight when it comes to wielding cyber power around the world, but challenges to this status are clear. The National Cyber Strategy has a clear role to play in maintaining and enhancing this status, writes Paddy Francis of Airbus Cybersecurity Continue Reading
News 17 Mar 2022

Online Safety Bill introduced in Parliament

The government has introduced its long-awaited Online Safety Bill in Parliament, alongside new criminal offences and sanctions for tech company execs Continue Reading
News 16 Mar 2022

Estonian anti-money laundering software pilot reaps benefits

Estonian startup and local banks have successfully piloted a data-sharing platform that prevents money laundering Continue Reading