Paul Beach, Head of Executives and Entrepreneurs at Arbuthnot Latham gives his perspective on the leading role entrepreneurs can play in driving the UK’s economic recovery.

James Murdoch, an experienced investor in Equity Crowdfunding, asks what is at stake in the Seedrs and Crowdcube Merger.

With half of its population under the age of 35 and a rapidly expanding middle class, Vietnam is one of the most dynamic frontier economies. It has also been a COVID-19 success story registering just 35 deaths from 1,168 cases. The effectiveness of its short lockdown meant Vietnam began reopening as long ago as April and the Vietnamese economy is forecast to grow in 2020 despite the pandemic.

A new report released by BGF and academic Sir Anthony Seldon calls for urgent action to recapitalise 21,000 businesses – the UK’s growth economy companies. According to the report, backed up by data from PwC, there is a persistent shortfall in growth funding, which has a profound impact on the long-term prospects of the UK economy. This ‘growth economy gap’ is made worse by the UK’s regional disparities and there is a risk the Covid-19 crisis will turn this gap into a chasm.

In his latest podcast (transcribed below), Seneca Investment Director, John Davies, discusses the outlook for VCTs in the current climate.

I have been impressed, not only with  the economic levers Rishi Sunak, has used to stimulate the economy but with the measured and calm way he has dealt with a crisis that could have been a poison chalice for many another Chancellor.

Convertibles have become more popular on the Equity Crowdfunding Platforms.  In this second article on the topic, James Murdoch shares more thoughts about investing in Convertibles. 

Oliver Woolley, CEO of Envestors, talks about why incubators, accelerators and networks matching investors and startups need to be regulated and the grey areas such organisations need to be aware of.

Ed Stevenson, investment manger at SFC Capital looks at why investment and growth into the augmented reality sector will accelerate over the next decade.

After a stuttering start - which could in fact be traced all the way back to the development by cinematographer Morton Heilig in the mid-1950s of the Sensorama, an arcade-style theatre cabinet that used stereo speakers, a stereoscopic 3D display, fans, smell generators, and a vibrating chair to stimulate all the senses - augmented reality (AR) seems set finally to break through into the mainstream. The global market is projected to reach $149 billion by 2025, up from just $4.32 billion in 2017.

The continued strong interest and engagement from the investment community in the UK’s independent network sector must be sustained if the UK wants achieve status as a gigabit nation, the Independent Networks Co-operative Association has said. 

John Auckland from TribeFirst discusses the proposed merger between Seedrs and Crowdcube. 

Elspeth Kinder, Partner and Head of Family Law, JMW Solicitors considers the value of prenuptial planning for entrepreneurs.