Planning and executing a business exit is a complex process, and even the most seasoned entrepreneurs can stumble. Mistakes during this critical phase can delay the sale, reduce valuation, or even derail the entire transaction. The good news? Most of these errors are avoidable with proper preparation and foresight.
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In the West Midlands, the definitions and boundaries of Cyber, Digital, and Tech are more than just academic semantics; they influence policy, investment decisions, and how the region positions itself on the national and global stage. While the rest of the UK and many parts of the world have moved towards recognising cyber as a distinct and critical sector, in the West Midlands, it still largely sits within the broader digital and technology categories.
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Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have been sold as the ultimate transportation revolution, promising safer roads, efficient travel, and even the end of human driving. From Tesla’s Autopilot to Waymo’s robo-taxis, we’ve been told for years that full self-driving cars are just around the corner. But despite billions of dollars in investment and countless headlines, the dream of autonomous vehicles remains more hype than reality.
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Securing a premium valuation multiple is the holy grail of exit planning. Buyers and investors are willing to pay higher multiples for businesses that demonstrate resilience, scalability, and growth potential. However, achieving a premium valuation requires more than just strong financials; it involves proactively addressing key value drivers and avoiding common pitfalls.
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Smart homes are supposed to be the future: refrigerators that order your groceries, thermostats that adjust themselves, and lights that follow your every command. Tech companies love to sell the dream of a connected, automated home that makes life easier, safer, and more convenient. But scratch the surface, and you’ll find a world full of broken promises, compatibility issues, and unnecessary gadgets.
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In the world of scaling a business, particularly in SaaS and cybersecurity, one of the biggest challenges is not just acquiring customers but acquiring the right customers. In a recent session, Richard Blundell, co-founder of Venture and a former executive at MessageLabs, shared hard-earned lessons from his experience scaling businesses, including MessageLabs’ remarkable journey from startup to a $695 million acquisition by Symantec.
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For many startup founders, finance can feel like a maze of spreadsheets, projections, and investor expectations. But at its core, startup finance revolves around a few fundamental principles: where money comes from, how it is spent, and how to maximize returns while maintaining financial stability.
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For any startup founder, the journey from idea to execution is filled with challenges. However, the biggest transformation isn’t just in scaling a business, it’s in evolving from a founder into a CEO.
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Timing is everything when it comes to selling a business. Exit too early, and you might leave value on the table; wait too long, and you risk market shifts or internal challenges diminishing your business’s worth. The right timing strikes a balance between your business’s readiness, market conditions, and shareholder objectives.
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Tech startups: the engines of innovation, disruption, and sometimes, pure nonsense. We’ve all seen the headlines. A scrappy young company with a flashy pitch secures millions in funding, promises to revolutionise an industry, and is hailed as the next big thing. But scratch the surface of many startups, and you’ll find more buzzwords than business sense.
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International expansion is a significant milestone for any startup, but it comes with its own set of complexities. In a recent discussion led by John Kinson, an experienced consultant specializing in global market entry and startup scaling, founders and executives explored the realities of expanding into the US. The conversation covered market readiness, legal and regulatory considerations, hiring strategies, and the cultural nuances that can make or break a company’s success overseas.
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This article evaluates the NCSC’s Cybersecurity Risk Management Guidance, highlighting its strengths in broad coverage and practical tools but identifying key weaknesses, including the lack of an integrated end-to-end framework, inconsistent depth, and limited audience-specific tailoring. It recommends strengthening the framework’s integration, providing accessible tools, addressing organisational resistance, and incorporating strategies for emerging technologies and black swan events. These enhancements could elevate the guidance to a truly comprehensive standard for diverse organisations.
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Disability inclusion is a vital yet often misunderstood aspect of workplace diversity. In a recent session hosted at Plexal, Kamran Mallick, CEO of Disability Rights UK, provided valuable insights into what it means to create a truly inclusive work environment. His talk covered the social model of disability, legal obligations under the Equality Act, workplace adjustments, and practical steps businesses can take to foster inclusivity.
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Scaling a company from a small team to a global market leader is a challenge that requires smart hiring, a robust governance model, and a deep understanding of customer needs. In a recent Cyber Runway Founders Fireside, John-Orr Hanna, former Chief Intelligence Officer at Crisp, shared his experience of growing the company from a handful of analysts to over 140 employees and achieving a 15x business expansion in four years.
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Asperger’s Syndrome has a strong genetic component, with multiple genes linked to brain development and synaptic function. This article delves into key genetic findings, such as SHANK and CNTNAP2 genes, chromosomal variations, and their impact on traits associated with Asperger’s, emphasizing the complex interplay between genetics and environment.
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Selling your business is one of the most significant milestones in an entrepreneur’s journey. However, even the most attractive businesses can falter during due diligence if they are not properly prepared. This stage is where buyers scrutinize every aspect of your business to evaluate risks, verify claims, and confirm the value they’re willing to pay.
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Cryptocurrencies have been touted as the future of finance, a tool for freedom, and a revolution in how we exchange value. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and thousands of altcoins promise decentralisation, wealth, and the collapse of traditional banking systems. Yet there’s an equal or greater amount of nonsense, speculation, and outright scams for every genuine innovation in the crypto space.
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Building a successful startup requires more than just a great idea—it takes execution, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to understanding your customers. This was the key takeaway from the recent Cyber Runway Founders Fireside session with Ashu Savani, co-founder of TryHackMe, a cybersecurity training platform that has grown into a 20-million-dollar revenue business without any external investment.
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Andreas Vesalius’s De humani corporis fabrica revolutionised the study of human anatomy by challenging Galenic orthodoxy through direct observation and dissection. Published in 1543, the Fabrica corrected centuries-old inaccuracies, introduced detailed anatomical illustrations, and established a new empirical approach to medical science. This landmark work remains a cornerstone in the history of medicine and a testament to the power of observation and critical inquiry.
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This Cyber Runway Scale session focused on preventing burnout in startup teams, addressing the mental and physical toll of high-growth environments. Experts shared strategies for work-life balance, team resilience, and sustainable leadership to ensure long-term success in cybersecurity startups.
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