Author: Chris Maguire

Vinted, the Lithuanian-founded online marketplace, has reported annual revenues of €1.1bn in 2025, a 38 per cent increase year-on-year.

At the same time, GMV (gross merchandise value) rose 47 per cent to €10.8bn.

GMV is the total value of goods sold through a platform or marketplace over a given period.

The figures show that Vinted reported adjusted EBITDA of €151m and a net profit of €62m.

Vinted was founded in Vilnius in 2008 by Milda Mitkute and Justas Janauskas after they had a conversation at a party about creating a platform where people could buy and sell clothing from each other’s wardrobes.

Through its network of delivery partners, Vinted provides members with access to more than 500,000 pick-up and drop-off points across Europe, supporting uptake of convenient, out-of-home delivery options.

Revolut has launched AIR – AI by Revolut – an in-app AI assistant designed to transform how millions of users interact with their money, manage their lifestyle and elevate their money intelligence.

Starting to roll out to customers across the UK now, AIR moves beyond the traditional chatbot, according to the FinTech. It acts as an intelligent assistant, deeply embedded in Revolut’s ecosystem.

Revolut says this represents a fundamental shift in how customers can interact with their finances, ending the era of multi-step navigation and empowering users to get a holistic view of their money.

AIR moves beyond the traditional chatbot and allows users to navigate their financial life through simple conversation. Whether it’s a granular breakdown of last month’s coffee spend, sorting travel essentials or setting card controls, AIR can help instantly.

Leeds Digital Festival returns this month with its Mini-Fest from 21st-23rd April to support skills development and growth. 

Organisers say this year’s ‘small but mighty event’ will explore how the rapid surge in AI and data science is fundamentally reshaping the Northern job market. 

A packed programme of nine interactive events across two days will showcase how this innovation is driving local employment and economic resilience.

Leeds-based tech innovation consultancy Parallax has grown its headcount significantly in the first quarter of 2026, with 30 new team members joining to support growing client demand.

The expansion marks the company’s most significant period of growth to date, following a strong 2025 in which Parallax secured 25 new clients and set its highest ever financial forecast for the year ahead.

The firm says the new hires – a mix of designers, full stack engineers, and product and delivery specialists – will strengthen Parallax’s core service offering, with a particular focus on AI innovation. 

Author: Chris Maguire

The founder of electricals retailer AO World said his gran is ‘delighted’ and hopes his ‘mum is proud’ after the company’s latest set of financial results.

John Roberts famously founded the Bolton-based retailer after a £1 bet in a pub with a mate before floating the business in 2014.

For the 12 months to March 31, 2026, AO World’s revenue growth is expected to be c. 11 per cent and B2C growth is expected to be c. 9.5 per cent, underpinned by market share gains across all key categories.

Adjusted profit before tax is expected to be in line with previously upgraded guidance, at the top end of £45-£50m.

Roberts said: “The numbers speak for themselves again and I am delighted to keep doing our talking on the pitch.

“I’d like to thank every AOer and every trading partner that has made it possible by embracing our relentless obsession with customers. In line with our values, my gran is delighted and I hope my mum is proud!”

AO expects to publish its full year results to March 31, 2026 on June 17, 2026.

Author: Jonathan Symcox

TT Electronics plc has named its next chair and CFO, while two non-executive directors are to stand down.

The listed firm saw a proposed £287 million takeover by Swiss electronics group Cicor collapse earlier this year after shareholders voted against the deal.

In the wake of that development, TT chairman Warren Tucker confirmed plans to step down as chairman in May after serving two three-year terms.

Now it has confirmed that Phil Swash will succeed him with effect from the end of TT’s Annual General Meeting, to be held on 15th May.

Two directors have also now decided to stand down, while the company has named its next CFO.

Next week’s final of The Apprentice will be contested by Karishma Vijay and Pascha Myhill.

28-year-old beauty brand owner Vijay is the red hot favourite to win Lord Sugar’s £250k investment and mentorship in the culmination of series 20.

However, Lord Sugar sprang a surprise when he fired Dan Miller in favour of Pascha Myhill, who is the youngest candidate left in the show.

Myhill, from Reading, was 21 when she appeared in the show and is seeking investment for her recruitment company within private healthcare.

Good luck to both. I’m off to eat my hat.  

Time to eat my hat after Dan Miller failed to make the final two.

The founder of loss-making student recruitment company  Young Professionals UK was told by Lord Sugar: “Your numbers are like a jungle. I’m not sure you understand them yourself.”

The first candidate to be fired on the night was Priyesh Bathia, who was told ‘don’t give up your day job’.

He was  quickly followed by PR man and Lawrence Rosenberg, who’d shocked Lord Sugar by asking for £5.5m for his startup.

“I don’t have any confidence in your business plan,” he said.

Anyone got any salt?

 

Lord Sugar might think about using AI to improve his jobs.

Priyesh Bathia’s business plan for a mobile cocktail party didn’t leave anyone ‘shaken or stirred’.

Worst ‘joke’ of the night followed the news that Karishma Vijay founded her skin care miracle product after being diagnosed with ache at the age of 18.

“I grew up in Hackney,” said Lord Sugar.

Pascha Myhill’s chances of making the final two just got a lot longer.

The youngest candidate left in the show admitted to Claude Littner that she didn’t know what profit and loss was.

Littler, who has been involved in the interview stage of The Apprentice since  series one, said her business plan was ‘woeful’.

I will eat my hat if the final two isn’t Dan Miller and Karishma Vijay.

Latest revelations include: PR man Lawrence Rosenberg’s 75-page business plan is  slammed as ‘tedious’; Pascha Myhill is branded ‘inexperienced’ after producing a seven page business plan; Priyesh Bathia’s business even isn’t registered at Companies House;  Dan Miller’s business is losing money but he has a holiday home on Marbella.

 

Terrible start  for PR man Lawrence Rosenberg in front of long-serving Claude Littner.

According to his business plan he wants an initial investment of £500k  – rather than the £250k top prize being offered by Lord Sugar.

Meanwhile Dan Miller reveals he doesn’t want to give away 50% of his student recruitment company Young Professionals UK to Lord Sugar.

This could get ugly.

‘That couldn’t  have gone any worse,” admits global account manager Priyesh Bathia after being grilled  by Linda Plant.

“You’re never going to do it,”  she said. Brutal. Puff of cheeks.

Meanwhile it’s an impressive start by Karishma Vijay when she’s grilled by Mike Soutar.

She passes her first test in being able to identify her own product.

 

10 minutes into tonight’s episode and we’ve had lots of  tears and threats of being sick – and the interviews still haven’t started.

Not sure if I’m watching The Apprentice or X Factor?

Hope it gets better.

 

It’s time. The remaining five finalists in series 20 of The Apprentice prepare to be put through their paces for a place in next week’s final – but who will it be?

According to a story in today’s Sun newspaper the result has already been leaked online – causing ‘chaos’ at the BBC.

They’ll be interrogated by Lord Sugar’s loyal associates Claudine Collins, Mike Soutar, Linda Plant and Claude Littner.

The interviews will be first time they’ve met the candidates as they haven’t been able to watch their performance in the previous 10 weeks.

Ten weeks ago, 20 candidates set out to become Lord Sugar’s latest business partner in the 20th series of The Apprentice.

The 2026 series started in Hong Kong and has also included tasks in Egypt and the Isle of Wight.

Now only five candidates, Priyesh Bathia, Pascha Myhill, Lawrence Rosenberg, Dan Miller and Karishma Vijay, remain to try to win Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment and mentorship.

On Thursday, the remaining five will have their business plans picked apart by Lord Sugar’s hard-nosed associates to see which two make it through to the grand final.

Follow the action live here from 9pm.

Zoho has opened a new office in Milton Keyes, creating jobs and driving regional tech growth off the back of doubling its UK headcount and reporting 43% over the past two years.

The launch comes amid strong UK momentum for Zoho, with the company reporting 43% growth and a tripling of its UK workforce over the past two years, marking a significant milestone in its continued expansion across the country.

The opening ceremony was attended by James Lancaster, Mayor of Milton Keynes, alongside representatives from the local business and innovation community.

Plans have been submitted to Manchester City Council for the UK’s first airport-based science, innovation, and manufacturing campus.

MIX MANCHESTER is set to be one of the largest science, innovation and manufacturing campuses in the UK, delivering two million sq. ft. of high-quality space at Manchester Airport, the UK’s only airport science location.

When complete, MIX MANCHESTER is expected to create up to 8,000 jobs for the region across the 60-acre site, capable of delivering two million sq. ft. of employment space.

It is being developed in collaboration by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), Manchester City Council (MCC), Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), and Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG).

Author: Chris Maguire

An entrepreneur has estimated her appearance on Dragons’ Den cost her £20,000.

Danielle Close is the founder of Brighton-based My Skin Feels, a vegan skincare brand that ferments rescued organic food waste from the Italian food and drinks industry.

Her appearance in Dragons’ Den was screened in February and saw her secure a £50,000 investment from Deborah Meaden and Gary Neville, although she decided not to progress with either offer.

Close said her appearance in the Den has been transformational, but admitted it came at a cost of £20,000.

The breakdown included £3,600 in stock lost during the production process and £4,000 in extra staffing around the episode.

Author: Chris Maguire

Ben Booth is the CEO and co-founder of  MaxContact  and has shared the 5 golden rules that every founder needs to know.

He said: “If there’s one useful thing I can do, it’s tell you what it actually looks like, not the version that looks good on LinkedIn.”

Here are his 5 golden rules:

1. It will be harder than you think

2. Nobody has it all figured out

3.  The board will not save you, choose them wisely

4. The highs get higher, but the lows get lower

5. Culture changes, your team must too

He said: “If there’s one useful thing I can do, it’s tell you what it actually looks like, not the version that looks good on LinkedIn.”