Archive for January 2020
British startup uses AI to develop new drug compound, in a world-first breakthrough
A British startup has used artificial intelligence to create a new drug molecule that will soon enter clinical trials, in an unprecedented breakthrough for the use of machine learning in drug development, according to BBC News. Designed to treat patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the drug was created in a collaboration between the Oxford AI startup […]
Indian ride-hailing firm Ola will launch in London, where Uber faces the loss of its license
The Indian ride-hailing firm Ola will launch in London this February, after transit authorities revoked Uber’s license to operate in the city last year, according to Business Insider. The service launched in other UK cities in 2018, and was granted a 15-month license to operate in London last July. To gain a foothold in the UK’s […]
Facebook launches tools for users to track and control third-party data collection
Facebook has launched its “Off-Facebook Activity” tool in the UK and other regions, giving users more transparency and a degree of control over data collected on their activities beyond the social media platform, according to BBC News. Many websites and apps collect data on a user’s activity and send it to Facebook, where it’s linked to […]
French startup ManoMano raises €125 million for its DIY home improvement platform
The French startup ManoMano has raised €125 million in a Series E funding round, to further develop its online marketplace for home improvement and gardening products, according to EU-startups.com. Founded in 2013, the company has now raised a total of €310 million. Last year was a banner year for ManoMano. The company grew 50 percent in […]
UK will allow Huawei to build 5G networks, but with key restrictions
The UK has announced that it will allow Huawei to develop certain elements of the nation’s 5G network, rejecting calls from US officials to ban the Chinese firm entirely, according to BBC News. However, the company’s participation will come with restrictions. Huawei will be prevented from working on certain sensitive, or “core” elements of the […]
Facial recognition cameras will be deployed throughout London, according to police
London’s Metropolitan Police have announced plans to deploy live facial recognition cameras across the city, according to The Guardian, to detect individuals on watchlists “for serious and violent offences.” The Met says the technology will go into use next month, and will be deployed in popular locations for shopping and tourism. While facial recognition has been met […]
Apple is fighting calls from EU lawmakers to eliminate its Lightning charger
Apple is challenging proposals by members of the European Parliament to force the company to adopt a standard, universal charger for mobile devices to replace its proprietary Lightning cable, according to Business Insider. Lawmakers argue that forcing consumers to rely on the Apple-exclusive Lightning cable generates a massive amount of electronic waste, by rendering other cables obsolete. […]
New funding round from Ophelia Brown’s Blossom Capital draws $185m for Europe’s startups
The UK’s Blossom Capital has announced its second funding round, totaling $185 million, for early-stage funding of Europe’s tech startups, according to EU-startups.com. Co-founded by Ophelia Brown, formerly of Index Ventures and LocalGlobe VC, Blosson Capital is aiming to become the lead investor for Series A and seed funding rounds in Europe’s startup scene, with a […]
Despite threats of US retaliation, the UK will tax tech giants, with support from Europe’s digital policy chief
The UK will move forward with its plan to tax multinational digital firms, despite retaliatory threats from US officials, chancellor Sajid Javid said at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this week, according to The Guardian. “We plan to go ahead with our digital services tax in April,” he said. “It is a proportionate tax, and […]
German startup Grover secures €250 million for its tech subscription service
The Berlin-based startup Grover has drawn €250 million in funding, to expand its tech subscription service in Germany and into the rest of Europe, according to Tech.eu. Founded in 2015, Grover offers a subscription service allowing users access to over 2,000 tech devices such as laptops, smartphones, virtual reality equipment, micromobility vehicles, and wearable tech. In […]