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Scotsman
06-08-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish Investor Showcase announces banking sponsor
UK investment performance is strong, which is an exciting backdrop for Scotland's leading investor showcase event, Invest2Scale, to return this September. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Invest2Scale, Scotland's leading investor showcase event, has today announced HSBC Innovation Banking as a new headline sponsor for its 2025 event. The financial partner to innovators and their investors joins the Scottish National Investment Bank and British Investment Bank as event sponsors supporting the continued growth of Scotland's thriving scale-up ecosystem. Now in its fourth year and firmly embedded in Scotland's investment and innovation calendar, Invest2Scale is the first event of its kind, focused solely on connecting ambitious scaling businesses with investors from outside Scotland. The 2025 event will expand on its successful format, offering more opportunities than ever before for meaningful meetings between founders and funders from across the UK and beyond. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the latest Q2 Innovation Update report from HSBC Innovation Banking and UK investment performance is strong, as UK startups have raised more investment than any other European country so far in H1 2025, with the UK raising 30% of all European venture capital. Invest2Scale returns to Scotland in September In Scotland, its developing tech hub of deep tech, biotech and AI innovations is showing signs of being increasingly attractive for investors. reported UK artificial intelligence startups have raised an all-time high of $2.4B so far this year, which accounts for 30% of all UK venture capital raised in H1 2025. Reflecting this rapidly evolving sector, Invest2Scale will have a dedicated AI panel at this year's event. HSBC Innovation Banking's sponsorship of Invest2Scale this year reflects its appetite to support technology and life science companies and investors across the UK. Its sponsorship will also see some of the team lending their expertise to keynote panels at the event in Edinburgh. Richard Faulkner, Head of Regional Coverage, HSBC Innovation Banking UK, said: 'Scotland is now firmly on the map as a place for innovation, particularly in sectors like life sciences and AI, where we're seeing real momentum. We're proud to support Invest2Scale as headline sponsor for 2025. The event reflects our commitment to helping innovative businesses scale, wherever they are in the UK and whatever their life stage.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stuart Hendry, Senior Partner at MBM Commercial and Invest2Scale spokesperson, added: 'Invest2Scale has built a strong reputation of showcasing Scotland's scaling companies to a global audience. The event has become a critical platform, with a track record for creating investment connections that go on to shape the growth journeys of some of the country's most promising companies. Securing HSBC Innovation Banking's support reflects how far the event has come and should help open even more doors for our attendees this year.' Invest2Scale returns to Edinburgh on 30 September 2025. It is set to be the biggest yet, with curated 1:1 meetings, insightful panel discussions, and the opportunity for investors to forge new relationships with some of Scotland's most exciting scale-up businesses all in one day.
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Business Standard
05-08-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Agentic AI startups raise $2.8 billion in 2025, says Prosus report
A new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) startups focused on autonomous workplace agents attracted $2.8 billion in global venture capital funding during the first half of 2025, signalling investor confidence in AI systems that work alongside human employees rather than merely assist them. The surge in so-called 'agentic AI' investment reflects a fundamental shift from traditional AI tools that respond to prompts towards autonomous systems capable of independent decision-making and task execution in corporate environments. This shift promises to reshape workplace dynamics as organisations prepare to integrate AI colleagues into their workforce structures. The funding figures come from a new report by Prosus titled The Rise of the Agentic Workforce: How Autonomous AI Agents Will Transform the Workplace, produced in partnership with venture capital intelligence platform Agentic AI represents the third major wave of AI adoption, following predictive and generative models. What sets it apart is its ability to make independent decisions, its capacity to learn and adapt, and to take ownership of complete tasks. These AI systems are now being deployed across sectors such as customer support, logistics, finance, software development and healthcare. 'The rise of agentic AI represents a foundational change in how we'll work with AI technology in the coming years,' said Fabricio Bloisi, chief executive officer of Prosus. 'We are past the tipping point of AI agent adoption and it is now firmly rooted in the workplace. Agentic AI companies are attracting billions of dollars of venture capital investment. At Prosus, we plan to hire the largest AI workforce in the industry this year, with AI agents working across our organisation from HR to customer support.' The report said agentic AI is gaining traction fast and that we are already past the tipping point of adoption. AI agents will transform the workplace by acting as digital co-workers rather than merely helpful tools. Coding agents are the first to reach product–market fit, with companies like Cursor already among the fastest growing companies ever. Fully AI employees are months, rather than years, away. Venture capital funding for agentic AI is also ramping up quickly. It is expected to total 10 per cent of all AI funding rounds in 2025, amounting to $6.7 billion of investment, with Europe punching above its weight in terms of its share. Customer service and healthcare platforms are the most funded application areas, while robotic process automation (RPA) and AI agent builders have outperformed within the category of 'AI agent enablers'. The report said we are heading towards a multi-agent future, where organisations will be structured differently and which will reward entirely new skill sets. People will set the direction for their teams of agent-based 'digital colleagues', who help carry out tasks. As AI takes on more routine work, people will need to evolve their skill sets, understand how to work effectively alongside AI systems and guide their performance, with a focus on strategic thinking and creative problem-solving.
Scotsman
05-08-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish investor showcase announces new banking sponsor
UK investment performance is strong which is an exciting backdrop for Scotland's leading investor showcase event, Invest2Scale, to return to Edinburgh this September. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Invest2Scale, Scotland's leading investor showcase event, has today announced HSBC Innovation Banking as a new headline sponsor for its 2025 event. The financial partner to innovators and their investors joins the Scottish National Investment Bank and British Investment Bank as event sponsors supporting the continued growth of Scotland's thriving scale-up ecosystem. Now in its fourth year and firmly embedded in Scotland's investment and innovation calendar, Invest2Scale is the first event of its kind, focused solely on connecting ambitious scaling businesses with investors from outside Scotland. The 2025 event will expand on its successful format, offering more opportunities than ever before for meaningful meetings between founders and funders from across the UK and beyond. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the latest Q2 Innovation Update report from HSBC Innovation Banking and UK investment performance is strong, as UK startups have raised more investment than any other European country so far in H1 2025, with the UK raising 30% of all European venture capital. Stuart Hendry, Senior Partner at MBM Commercial at Invest2Scale 2024 In Scotland, its developing tech hub of deep tech, biotech and AI innovations is showing signs of being increasingly attractive for investors. reported UK artificial intelligence startups have raised an all-time high of $2.4B so far this year, which accounts for 30% of all UK venture capital raised in H1 2025. Reflecting this rapidly evolving sector, Invest2Scale will have a dedicated AI panel at this year's event. HSBC Innovation Banking's sponsorship of Invest2Scale this year reflects its appetite to support technology and life science companies and investors across the UK. Its sponsorship will also see some of the team lending their expertise to keynote panels at the event in Edinburgh. Richard Faulkner, Head of Regional Coverage, HSBC Innovation Banking UK, said: 'Scotland is now firmly on the map as a place for innovation, particularly in sectors like life sciences and AI, where we're seeing real momentum. We're proud to support Invest2Scale as headline sponsor for 2025. The event reflects our commitment to helping innovative businesses scale, wherever they are in the UK and whatever their life stage.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stuart Hendry, Senior Partner at MBM Commercial and Invest2Scale spokesperson, added: 'Invest2Scale has built a strong reputation of showcasing Scotland's scaling companies to a global audience. The event has become a critical platform, with a track record for creating investment connections that go on to shape the growth journeys of some of the country's most promising companies. Securing HSBC Innovation Banking's support reflects how far the event has come and should help open even more doors for our attendees this year.' Invest2Scale returns to Edinburgh on September 30. It is set to be the biggest yet, with curated 1:1 meetings, insightful panel discussions, and the opportunity for investors to forge new relationships with some of Scotland's most exciting scale-up businesses all in one day.
Business Insider
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Lagos Startup Week turns 10: Africa's biggest startup gathering returns this July 2025
Get ready for a historic celebration as Lagos Startup Week (LSW), Africa's most influential gathering for innovators and entrepreneurs, announces its 10th-anniversary edition! This landmark event, themed "DND – Disrupting the Next Decade," Happening July 7–12, 2025, Lagos Startup Week will feature city-wide activities and experiences designed to engage the entire innovation ecosystem from community meetups and pitch competitions to masterclasses and exhibitions. The main conference will take place on July 10th and 11th at the iconic Civic Centre, bringing together founders, investors, creatives, and policymakers for two days of high-impact content and networking. Lagos Startup Week turns 10: Africa's biggest startup gathering returns this July 2025 Ten years ago, under the visionary guidance of Olumide Olayinka, Partner Prime Startups, Lagos Startup Week was born to ignite a movement and shape the future of innovation across Africa. What began as a nascent idea in 2015 has blossomed into a powerful reality. Fast forward to 2025, and Lagos is not merely participating in the global startup narrative; it's actively shaping it. Consistently ranked among Africa's most active startup cities by and Partech, Lagos has seen Nigerian startups attract over $3.5 billion in venture capital, launch globally relevant companies, and foster a new wave of digital pioneers. The city now proudly boasts five unicorns—Interswitch, Flutterwave, Jumia, OPay, and Moniepoint and has seen its ecosystem valuation grow 11.6x since 2017, proving its standing ahead of global cities like Istanbul and Pune. "This is more than an event. This is where Africa's future gets prototyped," shares Olumide Olayinka, Partner at Prime Startups and the driving force behind Lagos Startup Week. He passionately adds, "Lagos Startup Week was never just an event; it is a bold commitment to investing in the future of African innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. it was always a declaration. This city needed a platform where founders could breathe, build, and belong. Ten years later, we are still doing that, but now on a massive scale, and with the entire world watching." This 10th edition is going to be unforgettable! Imagine over 5,000 attendees hosted at the iconic Civic Centre for two days of pure inspiration. We're talking four stages buzzing with ideas, and electrifying Demo Days showcasing the tech that will literally shape our tomorrow. Whether you're looking to launch your big idea, scaling your existing business, or doing from the insights that will be shared by our guests and speakers, you'll connect with top tech experts, industry titans, forward-thinking regulators, and investors ready to back the next big thing. Our "DND – Disrupting the Next Decade" theme isn't just a catchy phrase. It's a deep dive into what it truly takes to build and thrive in complex markets, how Africa's most daring innovations grow, from humble garages to city rooftops, and how we, together, will define the next 10 years of entrepreneurial impact. This year, we're putting a spotlight on the founders who aren't just creating products but rewriting the entire narratives through their resilience and disruptive thinking. Get ready to be inspired by a lineup of visionary leaders and innovators who are shaping Africa's tech landscape. This year, Lagos Startup Week will feature dynamic voices whose dedication to disruption and entrepreneurial growth extends far beyond their impressive titles. We are excited to announce an initial roster of speakers, including: Jason Njoku, Founder & CEO, IROKO; Ngozi Dozie, Co-Founder, Carbon; Tosin Faniro-Dada, Partner, Breega; Ireayo Oladunjoye, MD & CEO, Endeavour Nigeria; Satoshi Shinada, Partner/Co-Founder Verod Kepple Africa Ventures, Wole Ayodele, CEO, Fincra; Tito Cookey-Gam, Principal, Partech; Aniedi Udo-Obong, Developer Ecosystem Program Partnerships, Google; Kayode Adeyinka, CEO, Gigmile; Oladunni Fanibe, Accelerator Portfolio Manager Africa, Google; and Akinbola Asalu, CEO, Aktivate just to mention a few. The Lagos Startup Week's team is going ahead to curate for more speaker announcements, so keep an eye out for updates! Our past editions have welcomed giants like Steve Case (AOL / Revolution VC), Michael Seibel (Y Combinator), and local legends like Shola Akinlade (Co-founder, Paystack). And we've showcased early-stage gems that are now household names, including Flutterwave, Moniepoint, and Paystack (acquired by Stripe for over $200 million). Lagos Startup Week is powered by Prime Startups, more than just an organizer, they're an ecosystem builder. They champion African founders all year long, offering support, forging cross-border partnerships, and engaging with policy to lay the groundwork for Africa's next wave of high-growth ventures. In a world that's constantly shifting and digitizing, Lagos Startup Week isn't just a date on the calendar. It's a barometer for how emerging markets will define the future of commerce, connectivity, and capital. It's the place where Africa builds, and the world can't help but watch. Join us in Lagos this July. The future isn't coming. It's being built right here, right now! Eko for Show!
Business Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Australian startups starved of cash despite big potential returns
[SINGAPORE] Australian startups lag far behind the US and China in funding raised despite the country's historical effectiveness at creating unicorns. Since 2000, Australia has produced 1.22 unicorns for every US$1 billion invested, the highest ratio globally and almost twice the number in the US, according to a study by Side Stage Ventures, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). China, which has struggled with a private sector crackdown since 2020, does not even appear on the list. Australia's startup funding trails highs reached a few years ago, and the nation is now trying to revive investment. Its relatively small domestic market and distance from the venture capital hubs of Silicon Valley and Beijing remain challenges, but the local startup community is pointing to global success stories such as Canva and Atlassian as signs of its potential. 'Access to capital remains a big challenge when competing with companies and founders in other countries,' said Ben Grabiner, co-founder of Sydney-based Side Stage Ventures. 'But more people are realising the potential in the startup ecosystem here.' Software is the most dominant sector among Australia's startups, underscoring founders' focus on products and services that are easier to export beyond the local market. Besides design-app startup Canva and collaboration-programme maker Atlassian, Australian firms, including shipping-software provider WiseTech Global and fintech Afterpay, have reached valuations in the tens of billions of US dollars. Other key growth areas include energy, health and creative industries, Grabiner said. The region's increasing demand for renewable energy is propelling innovations in solar power, he said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Yet the country is grappling with a funding winter. Its startups raised US$3.4 billion in 2024, little changed from the previous year and down sharply from a peak of US$6.5 billion in 2021, according to data from PitchBook. One challenge is the small pool of local capital and reliance on international investors, Grabiner said. In 2024, 39 per cent of early-stage capital in Australia came from overseas, compared with 21 per cent in the US and 27 per cent in Europe. Early-stage startups are particularly underserved. Such upstarts attracted just US$1 billion in investment in Australia last year – a fraction of the US$24 billion and US$10 billion their counterparts in the US and China drew, respectively, according to the Side Stage Ventures, and AWS study. Yet that also provides an opportunity, said Phil Cummins, managing director at investment adviser StepStone Group. He said seed-stage valuations and fund sizes are smaller in Australia than in the US and Europe, and there's less competition. 'At this point, it's no longer a question of whether startups can survive in Australia, but rather how well they can perform,' said Grabiner. BLOOMBERG
