Mid-Week Tech News Roundup – September 23rd to September 27th 2024

Fixtuur Secures Major Investment And Exec Shakeup

Manchester-based ecommerce platform Fixtuur has received a significant investment from Maven Capital Partners. The company, which specialises in creating immersive online shopping experiences, has also appointed a new chairman.

Mavem's strategic investment will fuel Fixtuur's rapid expansion, enabling the company to maintain its impressive year-over-year revenue growth.

Founded in 2019, Fixtuur has a team of talented developers and designers based in Manchester. The investment from Maven will fuel the company's rapid growth, allowing them to expand their reach and further enhance their platform.

In addition to this, it has been reported that Steve Klin will be joining Fixtuur as chairman. With his extensive experience in the tech industry, Klin is expected to play a crucial role in guiding the company's future. His previous experience with BlueVenn, a customer data platform, will be invaluable as Fixtuur continues to scale. He joins Charlie Sharland, a veteran executive with a history of growing technology businesses internationally, who will be a non-executive director on the board.

David Thomson, chief executive of Fixtuur, was reported as saying: "We are thrilled to receive this backing from Maven Capital Partners. Their continued support validates our significant progress in scaling Fixtuur and demonstrates their trust in our vision for the future. 

"Having Steve Klin and Charlie Sharland onboard adds unparalleled expertise to our leadership team. Their knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we continue to scale globally and enhance the impact of our platform."

Learn more...

Asda's Leadership Shake-up and Continued Growth

Asda has announced a leadership change, with co-owner Mohsin Issa stepping down from his executive role to focus on the EG Group. This strategic move will see Lord Stuart Rose and the existing senior management team taking the reins of day-to-day operations. Asda continues its search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer.

The company's shareholders have made significant investments over the past three years, totaling £3.8 billion. This financial backing has fueled Asda's expansion, increasing its store footprint from 623 to 1,200 locations through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions. Additionally, the retailer has launched a successful loyalty app that now boasts six million active customers, accounting for more than half of its total transactions.

Lord Rose, Chairman of Asda, said: “We respect Mohsin’s decision to move on from his role at Asda where his work is complete to be the sole CEO of EG Group. We are very grateful to Mohsin for the role he has played in overseeing Asda, including launching into the growth market of convenience stores and introducing a loyalty app now used by more than six million customers. He has laid the foundations to deliver a world-class IT infrastructure, strengthening Asda for the long term. I look forward to continuing to benefit from his insight as a non-executive director on our Board.”

As Asda continues its search for a new CEO, it will be fascinating to observe how the company evolves under the interim leadership of Lord Stuart Rose and the senior management team. The retailer's recent growth and expansion, coupled with its successful loyalty program, demonstrate its potential for continued success. A new CEO will have the opportunity to build upon these foundations and shape Asda's future direction. It remains to be seen how the company will navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the dynamic retail landscape.

Learn more...

Moonpig Expands Toy Gifting Options with The Entertainer Partnership

Moonpig has partnered with The Entertainer to offer customers a wider selection of toys to accompany their personalised cards. This collaboration brings together Moonpig's expertise in personalised gifts with The Entertainer's extensive toy range.

Customers can now choose from up to 200 new products from The Entertainer and its Early Learning Centre business, featuring popular brands like Paw Patrol, Barbie, and Squishmallows. This expansion aims to provide customers with convenient, combined gifting options for occasions such as birthdays and new baby celebrations.

Moonpig is the latest company to leverage The Entertainer's Toy Box – Total Retail Solution. This service enables retailers to customise their toy offerings through bespoke sourcing, ranging, wholesale, or retail execution. Earlier this year, Tesco also extended its partnership with The Entertainer, expanding its toy selection to 759 large supermarkets in the UK and 94 in Ireland.

Learn more...

51toCarbonZero Makes the Final in Two Growing Business Awards

51toCarbonZero, a technology startup dedicated to helping organisations achieve net zero emissions. has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards in the Annual Growing Business Awards. The company is a finalist for both B2B Business of the Year (small) and The Bridges Positive Impact Award.

The Growing Business Awards recognise the UK's most exceptional, fast-growing SMEs. Being a finalist in these awards is a testament to 51toCarbonZero's hard work, dedication, and positive impact.

The driving force behind 51toCarbonZero's mission is the urgent need to address climate change. Each year, humanity adds 51 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere, posing a significant threat to our planet. By providing organisations with the tools and resources they need to reduce their carbon emissions, 51toCarbonZero aims to contribute to a sustainable future.

Their platform offers a comprehensive solution for measuring, managing, and reducing carbon footprints.

Key features of the 51toCarbonZero platform include:

• Carbon Footprint Measurement: Consolidate all carbon data into one place, providing real-time insights across Scopes 1, 2, and 3.
• Climate Promise Delivery: Create and execute action plans with clear accountability and governance.
• Reputation Growth: Engage stakeholders through custom apps and a recognised kitemark.
• Decomplication: Simplify the net zero journey with personalised support and access to expert consultants.

Neil and Richard, the founders of 51toCarbonZero, are excited to share their company's journey and mission with the judges next week.

Leap Automation secures £7.9m investment to expand robotic solutions

Aberdeen-based Leap Automation has received a significant boost with a £7.9m investment round. The funding, led by a £3.5m contribution from the Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), also includes participation from Mercia Ventures and WA Capital.

Leap AI, founded by Ben Bamford & Ben Stuart, specialises in robotic solutions for the manufacturing sector. Their artificial intelligence-powered technology enables them to offer robotic automation solutions to businesses of all sizes. The company has strategically selected the food and drinks sector as their initial market, recognising its status as a key growth industry in both Scotland and the wider UK. This sector is particularly impacted by labor shortages and current economic challenges, making it an ideal target for innovative production solutions.

“From the outset we have strived to build simple, flexible and cost-effective robotic systems that solve our customers’ most pressing challenges. The need is greater now than ever before, with labour shortages costing the UK food sector over £1.4bn last year. This funding will enable us to increase headcount, scale our operations and solve more problems for more customers through further product development.” - Ben Stuart, chief executive of Leap AI

Learn more...

DRS Software Shortlisted for Two Leeds Digital Festival Awards

DRS Software has announced its nomination for two prestigious awards at the upcoming Leeds Digital Festival Awards 2024. The company's nominations include Tech Team of the Year (Small Company) and Leader of the Year (Martin Nyaga, Lead Developer).

Led by Stefano Marco Maria De Rossi, DRS is a specialist software development and consulting firm specialising in high-performance web applications, data analytics, and application modernisation. With a deep understanding of WebAssembly and cutting-edge web technologies, the company offers innovative solutions to complex application development and modernisation challenges.

Founded in 2015, DRS has a proven track record of delivering successful projects for major organisations such as Siemens, Shell, and Harvard University. Their expertise spans a wide range of areas, including web development, data engineering, desktop applications, and legacy modernisation.

This recognition highlights DRS's exceptional talent and innovative approach to technology. The company's Tech Team has been lauded for its successful modernisation of a legacy sales system for a global medical technology leader. By leveraging WebAssembly, DRS was able to transform the outdated system into a modern, web-based platform, delivering significant cost savings and accelerating deployment.

Martin Nyaga has been nominated for Leader of the Year for his outstanding leadership and technical expertise. As Lead Developer, Nyaga has played a pivotal role in the success of multiple high-stakes projects at DRS, including the recent modernisation project. His ability to guide his team through complex challenges and maintain effective communication with stakeholders has been instrumental in delivering the brand's exceptional results.

Learn more...

Hungry for tech insights? Explore our in-depth resources or catch quick tips on LinkedIn. Stay on top of IT and engineering trends with cutting-edge innovations. Fuel your career with expert advice and actionable strategies. Join a vibrant community of tech enthusiasts and unlock your next breakthrough!