Exit Strategy 5: Timing Your Exit: How to Align Business Readiness with Market Opportunities

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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More Tech Startup Bollocks: Hype, Hustle, and the Myth of Disruption

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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Expanding to the US: Lessons from Internationalization Experts

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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Overview, Summary, Thoughts, and Recommendations on the NCSC Cyber Security Risk Management Guidance

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 in the Workplace: Key Takeaways from Disability Rights UK’s Talk

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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Anne “Honey” Lantree: The Beat Behind The Honeycombs

When it comes to the world of rock and roll, female drummers have often been overshadowed. However, among those who broke the mould and left an indelible mark is Anne “Honey” Lantree, the drummer of the 1960s pop group, The Honeycombs.

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Scaling a Cyber Intelligence Business: Lessons from Crisp’s Growth Journey with John-Orr Hanna

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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The Genetics Behind Asperger’s Syndrome

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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Exit Strategy 4: Getting Ready to Sell: A Practical Guide to Due Diligence

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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More Crypto Bollocks: The Myths, Scams, and Overhype of the Cryptocurrency World

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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Scaling Success: The TryHackMe Journey with Co-founder Ashu Savani

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 and De Humani Corporis Fabrica: Revolutionising Anatomy

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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Burnout-Proofing Your Startup Team: Lessons from The Zensory

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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From Comedy to Cosmic Horror: Why “Alien” is the True Spiritual Successor to “Dark Star” (and the Sequels Just Don’t Measure Up)

Explore how John Carpenter’s Dark Star and Ridley Scott’s Alien share a profound thematic lineage, with Dan O’Bannon as the creative bridge. This article delves into the transformation of cosmic comedy into existential horror, highlighting Alien as the true spiritual successor to Dark Star. With personal anecdotes, cultural insights, and franchise analysis, discover why the sequels, though entertaining, stray from this haunting legacy.

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Lessons from the Founder’s Fireside: Chris Wallis, CEO of Intruder

Chris from Intruder joined the Cyber Runway: Scale Founders Fireside session to share his journey in building a successful cybersecurity startup. The conversation explored the challenges of product development, securing investment, and adapting to industry shifts while growing a cyber business.

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Understanding Neural Differences in Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger’s Syndrome, currently part of the Autism Spectrum, according to the DSM5, does not involve missing neurons but reflects differences in neural structure and connectivity. This article explores key brain regions and neural systems affected, such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and mirror neuron system, highlighting their roles in social behaviour, sensory processing, and emotional regulation.

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Exit Strategy 3: What Makes Your Business Valuable? A Guide to Valuation Drivers

When it comes to planning an exit, understanding your business’s value, and the factors that drive it, is essential. Whether you’re preparing for a trade sale, IPO, or private equity investment, the right focus on valuation drivers can significantly enhance your outcomes. In this article, we explore the key components of valuation, strategies to improve them, and common pitfalls to avoid.

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More Metaverse Bollocks: Untangling the Fantasy from the Reality

The metaverse: a brave new world where we’ll work, socialise, and live out our digital dreams. Or so we’re told. From tech giants like Meta (formerly Facebook) to countless startups, everyone seems to be racing to build the metaverse, heralding it as the next great evolution of the internet. Virtual real estate is being sold for millions, companies are investing in virtual storefronts, and pundits are waxing lyrical about a digital utopia just around the corner.

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Building and Maintaining Momentum in B2B Sales: A Strategic Approach

B2B sales is challenging, now more than ever. Tightening budgets, economic uncertainty, and an increasingly competitive landscape mean sales teams must be more strategic than ever in how they generate and sustain momentum. In a recent Cyber Runway session, Tom Glason, CEO of ScaleWise, shared insights on optimizing B2B sales strategies. With over 20 years of experience in B2B tech and leadership roles across startups and scaleups, Tom provided a roadmap for improving sales processes, from effective discovery calls to engaging product demos.

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The Strengths and Weaknesses of Using SeedLegals, Crowdcube, or Manual Processes for Your First Seed Fundraising Round

Choosing the right method for your seed fundraising round depends on your needs and circumstances. SeedLegals is ideal for first-time founders and private rounds due to its affordability, simplicity, and guidance. Crowdcube suits businesses seeking broad investor exposure, especially consumer-facing startups, as it combines fundraising with brand marketing. A manual process offers full control and customisation, making it best for experienced founders with established networks or complex funding terms. Evaluating your budget, time, and investor outreach needs will help determine the best approach for your startup.

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