Profit warnings from South West companies listed on the London Stock Exchange soared by 66% in the first half of this year as the cost of living crisis hit consumers. According to new research by international accountancy group EY, 15 warnings were issued by quoted firms in the region...
Regional alternative finance lender South West Investment Group (SWIG) lent a record £14m to ambitious small and medium-sized businesses across the region in the past year, new figures show. The non-profit group, which supports viable businesses that cannot secure sufficient funding from their bank, provided 559 loans to 478...
Poku Osei, the founder and CEO of Babbasa, the Bristol social enterprise transforming the lives of young people from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds, has won a unique social enterprise award. The Cambridge Social Innovation Prize, which was launched five years ago, celebrates five exceptional social entrepreneurs and recognises...
Growth capital investment group BGF’s Bristol team backed fast-growth businesses to the tune of £40m during the first half of this year as the region continued to provide fresh opportunities for funding. Capital investments were made across a diverse range of sectors including technology, healthcare, engineering and manufacturing. Among the...
Specialist engineering firm SEA’s support for ex-military personnel has earned it the highest badge of honour under a scheme that recognises the role businesses play in supporting the Armed Forces. The firm, which has a base in Bristol, was presented with the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award,...
Aerospace giant Airbus has opened a world-leading wing technology research and development centre at its Filton plant as it looks to develop the next generation of passenger aircraft. The facility, which will be used to build and test demonstrators for a range of programmes and research projects, is the...
Small and medium-sized firms in Bristol with growth potential can apply to a new £200m fund aimed at boosting innovation and prosperity across the South West. Launched in Bristol by the British Business Bank yesterday, the South West Investment Fund (SWIF) will increase the supply and diversity of early-stage...
Workforce issues, including pressure to increase wages, remain the biggest headache for business based in Bristol and across the West of England, with many raising their prices to fund pay awards. Combined with wider concerns over inflation, this has led to a slump in confidence – with levels now...
Limbs & Things, the Bristol-based medical training products firm, has expanded its offering with the acquisition of a business specialising in keyhole surgery skills training. Edinburgh-based eoSurgical is a market leader in the use of technology and self-directed learning in laparoscopic surgery, pictured. Its simulators are entirely portable and...
Business West, one of the UK’s largest chambers of commerce, celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. The Bristol Initiative, which sits at the heart of Business West, is a community of 160 business leaders who positively influence the way the area is shaped, managed and developed. From 1989 Dr John Savage CBE,...
Science Creates, the Bristol deep-tech ecosystem, has launched an accelerator programme based in the city for engineering biology businesses as the sector prepares for rapid expansion. The programme will support life science start-ups and innovators in developing ground-breaking advancements in healthcare, the environment and quality of life. Engineering biology...
A healthtech business revolutionising stroke rehabilitation has won the Best Elevator Pitch at incubator SETsquared Bristol’s Tech-Xpo 2023 showcase. SoleSense uses shoe sensors and a real-time biofeedback app to provide personalised digital physiotherapy to stroke patients. The firm, which fought off strong competition from nine other SETsquared-based businesses to claim...
The founder of Babbasa, the Bristol social enterprise transforming the lives of young people from ethnic minority and low-income backgrounds, has spoken of his immense pride at its success as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. Poku Osei launched the organisation in 2013 in response to the growing gap in...
