Angel Investment Network reports strong annual revenue growth

Research released on Monday by Mettle, the NatWest-backed business account, using YouGov’s platform, estimates that the UK’s growing self-employed and side hustler movement will contribute an estimated £125 billion in turnover to the UK’s economic recovery in 2021. Furthermore, small and medium-sized businesses (with 1-49 employees) are estimated to contribute approximately £310.46 billion.

The eCommerce industry is fiercely competitive which can make it difficult to succeed. It is hard to compete with the bigger brands in your industry because they will have the reputation and visibility online to attract new customers, but there are a few key strategies that you can use which will help you to compete at a higher level and both attract and retain customers.

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (Calpers) has revealed plans to divest its entire $4 billion investment it has in hedge funds.

Last year, more than half a million people took part in a survey conducted by the University of Cambridge that explored psychological differences between the genders. Essentially: on average, women score higher on tests of empathy, and men score higher on tests of systemising, also known as the inclination to analyse.

Latest research from Bacs Payment Schemes Limited (Bacs) reveals that more than three quarters (76 per cent) of UK businesses are being forced to wait at least a month beyond their agreed contract terms before getting paid.

The reality is that today’s CRO’s (Chief Revenue Officers) are facing extraordinary pressure to transform their departments – especially in the face of a growing shift towards digital commerce models. Once upon a time, a sales executive could rely on experience, insight, and interpersonal skills to close a deal and keep the customer buying – but today, that’s a much more difficult task.

Last year 81% of large UK businesses and 60% of small companies suffered a cyber security breach. A report published on 23 March by HM Government and Marsh, one of the UK's leading insurance brokers and risk advisors, announces new joint initiatives between government and the insurance sector to help firms get to grips with cyber risk; to establish cyber insurance as part of firms' cyber toolkits and cement London as the global centre for cyber risk management.

Making quality investment decisions comes down to striking when the iron is hot. Jumping the gun or waiting too long to act can prove to be a major mistake. Unfortunately, making the right investment moves at the right moments is easier said than done. If it were simple and straightforward, everyone would be doing it. Accurately predicting the next Apple or Facebook is on an order of difficulty that eludes even the savviest of investors. However, putting your money into up-and-coming industries and sectors - or those primed for a comeback - is something that even the casual investor can do with enough insight and experience. With this in mind, let's take a look at the best business investment opportunities heading into 2023: Third-Party Logistics More products are being bought and sold online than ever before. It won’t be long until e-commerce takes over the majority of retail purchases. With this in mind, investors should consider investing in third-party logistics providers (3PL). From logistics optimization to freight audit software, these services specialize in helping retailers improve their supply chain management. What’s more, they help drive down shipping costs for companies operating with slim margins. Given the rate at which online retail is becoming the primary method of buying and selling products, investing in 3PL today is likely to generate significant returns tomorrow. Home Improvement The last few years saw a surge in homeownership. Given this trend, it doesn’t take a genius to see the profit potential that comes with investing in home improvement services. From companies specializing in repair and remodelling to material suppliers to stores selling these products, there are many entities involved in the home improvement process that can be seen as potential investment opportunities heading into 2023. Digital Marketing More eyeballs on more screens mean less attention paid to traditional forms of advertising. As a result, the value of digital marketing is destined to increase as the world becomes increasingly digital. Those looking for a worthwhile investment opportunity should consider putting their money behind one or more digital marketing agencies. Demand for these services is set to increase significantly over the course of the decade, giving investors a reliable roadmap to respectable returns. Food Delivery Chances are you ordered food delivery at least once within the last three months. That’s because more people are finding themselves unable or unwilling to devote the time needed to prepare their own meals. If you can recall the premium you paid for the luxury of having other people make and bring you your sustenance, then you know there’s tremendous profit potential in food delivery service. While the current food delivery landscape is especially competitive due to oversaturation, there will come a time when struggling operations are forced to sell to their more capable competitors. If you can accurately gauge when that will occur and which businesses are involved, you can buy low and sell high. Cleaning Services The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased attention paid to cleanliness and hygiene. The result is an uptick in demand for professional cleaning services, especially those tasked with sanitizing brick-and-mortar locations that see hundreds of people entering and exiting in a given week. Those investing in cleaning services now will reap the financial benefits later. Auto Repair In case you hadn’t noticed, the cost of a new vehicle has risen dramatically in recent years. Even a used car costs hundreds if not thousands more than it did previously. As a result, more people are holding onto their older, high-mileage vehicles than ever before. Auto repair companies - both locally-owned chains and those spread out nationally or multi-nationally - are set to see unprecedented demand in coming years. The same goes for aftermarket parts manufacturers and suppliers. It all adds up to auto repair being a viable opportunity for those looking to invest in profitable businesses. Making the right investment moves at the right time isn’t easy. It’s no surprise the best investors stick to slow but steady returns based on equally secure investments. With that said, disruptive industries and growing demand for existing services make for reasonably safe and secure investment opportunities for those able and willing to go after them. Good luck!

If you’re just beginning the crazy and sweet journey into the entrepreneurship world, you’re probably overwhelmed with all the new challenges this sort of voyage brings on. 

Retained earnings or profits are the portions of a business revenue after the shareholder dividends are considered. Companies must plan how to use retained earnings to help their growth. But retained profits also have their benefits and disadvantages. Below are the pros and cons that can help the business owners and shareholders make better-informed decisions about keeping the profit of their labour or not. Read on.