Business support stories
EASI opens applications for its 2026 awards, offering a GBP £10,000 grant and year-long support to UK founders driving social impact.
UK female founders say peer networks and mentors matter most as they battle funding barriers, burnout and a gender gap in investment.
Sky Business becomes a patron of Technology Supply Chain, boosting connectivity support for over 5,500 UK manufacturing and tech members.
Infovista launches VistAI, an intent-driven agentic AI framework to automate cross-domain telecom operations and cut network complexity.
Exactly.com trims processing fees after 23% turnover rise, targeting UK SMEs with local acquiring and lower-cost eCommerce payments.
Cerillion secures its largest ever contract, a five-year Omantel BSS and OSS deal worth about GBP £42.5m on a subscription basis.
Australian employers grow bolder on 2026 pay talks, ready to lift offers modestly and use perks as tight budgets meet scarce skills.
Taara has launched Lightbridge Pro, a 20 Gbps wireless optical system promising carrier-grade uptime via automatic, hitless backup switching.
Taara launches Lightbridge Pro, a 20 Gbps wireless optical backhaul platform promising five nines uptime with seamless fibre or RF failover.
Event planners in Australia and New Zealand face tighter budgets, faster turnarounds and lingering doubts over AI's place in their work.
'Imbosster Syndrome' is eroding the confidence of Australian sole traders, with self-doubt stalling key decisions and slowing business growth.
Australian SMEs are upbeat on 2026 growth but say they are “flying blind”, lacking strategic advisers and facing a sharp regional advice gap.
Mastercard opens 2026 fund in Canada, offering CAD $10,000 grants and support to help women-owned small firms grow amid economic uncertainty.
New Zealand funds expansion of low-cost factory tech scheme to help 180 manufacturers boost productivity and compete with digital rivals.
Spark and Icehouse will run free nationwide AI and productivity workshops to help New Zealand SMEs lift performance and overcome tech barriers.
Stress is surging for New Zealand's small business owners, with nearly half considering closing as rising costs and tax shocks take their toll.
Canada is investing CAD $2,815,999 to boost digital skills and AI adoption across Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.
ANZ deploys AI-powered Salesforce CRM across business bank, promising faster service, streamlined workflows and time savings for frontline staff.
Commonwealth Bank will raise eligible variable business loan and overdraft rates by 0.25 percentage points from 13 February 2026.
New Zealand launches an AI advisory pilot, offering up to NZD $15,000 co-funding to help small firms plan and safely adopt AI tools.