Author: Jonathan Symcox

Virtualstock, Europe’s largest dropshipping platform, has been acquired by a US rival.

Private equity-backed Logicbroker has completed a deal for Reading-headquartered Virtualstock, which was established in 2004 and processes more than eight million orders annually with a GMV (gross merchandise volume) of more than £2 billion.

Virtualstock’s dropship and curated marketplace platform powers online commerce for retailers including Aldi, Argos, B&Q, Currys and John Lewis. Its Supplier Hub also connects suppliers directly with buyers at major retailers.

The combined company will form one of the largest international dropship supplier networks. 

Author: Jonathan Symcox

England cricket stars Ben Stokes & Jofra Archer have joined India’s KL Rahul in investing in a medical travel disrupter.

The Medical Travel Company says it is seeking to close a critical gap in patient access as it launches the world’s first post-surgery insurance, protecting patients after returning home from treatment in India.

Stokes, Archer and Rahul’s investment company 4CAST has joined global VC Nexus Venture Partners in a €3.8 million raise.

Manufacturing at Jaguar Land Rover’s Wolverhampton engine plant has resumed following the cyberattack which suspended production for over a month.

The attack targeted its IT systems and also stopped production at factories in Merseyside and Solihull.

JLR said it had initiated a “controlled, phased restart of operations”.

The maker of ChatGPT is partnering with major companies including Spotify, Zillow and Mattel as part of its bid to transform the generative AI tool into a central portal where users can access a broader range of services.

Engineers at its developer conference in San Francisco demonstrated how they can now plug into ChatGPT in new ways, such as asking the tool to build a playlist in Spotify.

CEO Sam Altman also told the event that “you should expect a huge focus from us on really leaning into enterprise”.

Inspiration Healthcare Group plc has reported positive half-year results.

The global medical technology company said group revenue topped £24m for the six months ended 31st July 2025, up 41% on the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA profit was £1.3m, compared to a loss of £900,000.

Inspiration said it executed the two biggest export contracts in the group’s history during the period.

Insig AI plc, a provider of AI-led analytics and machine learning solutions, has raised £500k in a share placing following receipt of an unsolicited offer of equity investment.

The proceeds will be used to bolster its sales activities and the continuing evaluation of the company’s strategic options, including the potential establishment of a fund dedicated to investments in digital assets and related enterprises.

Insig also reported revenues of £421k for the six months to 30th September 2025, more than 155% ahead of the equivalent period last year (£165k).

Made Tech Group plc, a provider of digital, data, and technology services to the UK public sector, has announced that Neil Elton has mutually agreed to step down from his role as chief financial officer following his decision to leave the business to pursue other career opportunities.

He has a six-month notice period and will assist the board during this period to enable an orderly handover until a successor has been appointed.

Listed company capAI has incorporated a subsidiary in the United States to advance AI-driven medical and longevity initiatives there.

The incorporation of capMedical Inc in the State of Delaware ‘marks a new operational milestone’, it says, as the company initiates its capMedical division.

capAI incubates and invents AI systems focusing on media and medicine through an alliance with R42, based in Silicon Valley.

Today the company has also renamed its two UK subsidiaries: capMedia (UK) Ltd and capMedical (UK) Ltd.

Glasgow-based electric 4×4 manufacturer Munro EV has secured £2 million in fresh funding from existing investor Elbow Beach and other parties to accelerate production of its rugged M-Series vehicles, built for the mining, defence and construction sectors.

The investment will scale the firm’s Glasgow facility to fulfil £17m in current customer orders and create up to 300 new manufacturing jobs.

The company plans to ramp up production to 5,000 vehicles annually within six years, after initial deliveries to clients including Gleneagles Hotel and Denbighshire Council.

A Leeds-based managed security service provider forged out of BAE Systems has appointed Keven Knight as CEO and Matthew Briggs as chair, alongside raising £2 million from existing investors including NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance and Crown Fund S.C.A. SICAV-RAIF.

The new funding and leadership appointments for Talion Cyber Security will accelerate its growth across the UK and US, targeting the mid-market – organisations too complex for basic tools yet overlooked by enterprise providers.

Its hybrid defence model combines transparency, shared control and tailored security solutions across managed detection and response, threat intelligence and incident response.

Founded in 2010 to protect the London 2012 Olympics and spun out of BAE in 2020, Talion continues to build on its aim to deliver accessible, enterprise-grade cybersecurity to growing businesses.

Author: Patrick Killeen

Cambridge-based AI drug turnaround company Ignota Labs has acquired the full clinical asset portfolio of former unicorn Kronos.

The once high-flying MedTech, which was listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, saw its valuation peak at $3.5 billion before its collapse earlier this year.

Kronos had advanced two key programmes – istisociclib, a CDK9 inhibitor, and entospletinib and lanraplenib, both SYK inhibitors – into phase 2 trials before halting operations following safety and clinical setbacks.

After further layoffs, the resignation of CEO Norbert Bischofberger and a failed restructuring effort, Kronos was sold to Concentra Biosciences for just $0.57 per share in mid-2025.

Ignota Labs will now apply its proprietary SAFEPATH AI platform to identify and resolve the causes of toxicity that derailed development, with the goal of reviving and commercialising the drugs for patients.

Entrepreneurs First (EF), the global talent investor behind startups like Cleo, PolyAI and Gensyn, has launched The Bridge – an eight-week residency designed to fast-track Europe’s brightest entrepreneurial talent into the San Francisco Bay Area.

Starting in April 2026, the programme will give early-stage founders (pre-team, pre-idea) the chance to live, build and launch startups in Silicon Valley.

Based in a dedicated Hacker House, EF will provide full board, visa support, mentorship from top US founders and investors, as well as the opportunity to raise up to $250,000 initially and $3 million in future rounds.

Participants will also access $600,000 in startup credits from partners including OpenAI, Anthropic and GitHub.

Managed network solutions provider Evolve Business Group has appointed Will Clowes as its new chief revenue officer to support its next phase of growth.

Clowes joins with more than 15 years’ experience in senior leadership roles at amplify5, Creditsafe and Liberis, bringing a strong track record in scaling sales, customer retention and data-driven growth.

The appointment follows a period of major expansion for the Wigan-based firm which marked its 20th anniversary this year, opened a new 6,000 sq ft warehouse and grew to serve clients in 12 countries.

Backed by BGF investment, the company is now focused on strengthening sales, technology and operational efficiency as it continues to expand internationally.

A new global competition, the Investec Early-Stage Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, has launched to celebrate the world’s most promising founders at the very start of their journeys.

“The Easies” has been backed by Investec Wealth & Investment International, Endava and OPUS, and are the first awards to recognise entrepreneurs leading companies under four years old and pre-Series A.

Winners will receive £10,000, bespoke growth support and the chance to join the OPUS Delegation to Davos, gaining access to one of the world’s most influential stages for innovation and investment.

Four categories will honour founder bravery across impact, consumer, technology and female founder tracks.

More than 600 black female leaders from across the UK are set to gather in Manchester this month for Empowered to Lead, the North’s largest event dedicated to advancing diversity in senior leadership.

Taking place on 18th October at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, the one-day conference will feature MOBO Awards founder Kanya King CBE alongside leading diversity advocate Cynthia V Davis CBE and entrepreneur Ayesha Ofori.

Organised by social enterprise She Leads for Legacy, founded by mother-daughter duo Sharon and Afiya Amesu, the event will explore how black women can overcome barriers to boardroom and executive positions.

Sharon was recently included on BusinessCloud’s Northern Leaders 2025 list.

The initiative aims to inspire change by equipping delegates with practical tools, mentorship and insights to help them excel in senior roles.

Sci-Tech Daresbury-based global business transformation firm Lavasource has announced its expansion into North America with the opening of a new office in Delaware.

The move strengthens the company’s ability to support its growing U.S. client base and reinforces its commitment to closer partnerships.

Headquartered at the Innovation Centre within the Sci-Tech Daresbury campus in the Liverpool City Region, the business delivers large-scale transformation projects in more than 70 countries, specialising in HR, payroll and technology integration.

Its North American expansion will enhance regional support and on-the-ground delivery through local experts, enabling deeper collaboration with clients and partners.

fulfilmentcrowd, a tech-driven fulfilment provider for omnichannel brands, has announced record-breaking growth and continued global expansion following investment this summer from Palatine.

For the financial year ending 31st March 2025, revenue at the Chorley, Lancashire-based firm surpassed £20 million for the first time, with a 27% increase in transaction volumes across all territories.

The company reported a £3.1m EBITDA, nearly doubling the previous year’s performance, and a significant uplift in international revenues, which now account for over 29% of total group revenue.

The UK remains the principal trading entity – revenue here rose to £14.2m – while European operations surged by 42%, reaching £4.7m in revenue, and US revenue nearly tripled to £1.1m.

New centres opened in Dublin (Ireland) and Sydney (Australia) expanded its global footprint to more than 1.5m sq ft.

Fast-growing 3D mapping specialist Apollo3D has reported a record £550,000 turnover in the past year, up 20% on 2024.

The Otley-based business, which has grown to a 12-strong team, is also planning to increase headcount to 15 and says demand for its virtual and newly launched infinity tours continues to rise across the UK and internationally.

It is setting its sights on breaking the £1m barrier in the next 12-18 months.

Healix Health, an independent corporate healthcare trust provider, has announced three senior appointments as it celebrates 25 years of operation.

Matthew Wilson has been named IT programme director, joining the executive team. He brings over 25 years of experience delivering transformation and technology programmes, most recently at Simplyhealth. He will be responsible for developing Healix’s new claims management system and advancing its digital services for clients and members.

Sarah Taylor joins as director of corporate proposition and brings over 15 years of experience in healthcare product development and clinical pathway design, with her most recent role at AXA Health.

Holly Reoch is promoted to marketing director, and also joins the executive team. With over 20 years’ experience in marketing and brand strategy across the financial services and healthcare sectors, she joined Healix earlier this year as head of marketing.

The business now supports over 100 clients and more than 200,000 members through its healthcare trusts.

Risers

W.A.G Payment Solutions – +3.28%
Oxford Biomedica +2.93%
Prudential – +2.77%
Vietnam Enterprise Investments – +2.71%
Bodycote – +2.69%

Fallers

Mondi – -13.75%
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holding – -7.01%
QinetiQ Group – -5.32%
Raspberry Pi – -2.81%
Metro Bank Holdings – -2.49%