All posts tagged: invests

UK invests £20m to accelerate fusion energy commercialisation

UK invests £20m to accelerate fusion energy commercialisation

The UK Government has announced a groundbreaking £20m investment to launch ‘Starmaker One,’ Britain’s first private fusion power investment fund. This initiative aims to accelerate fusion energy commercialisation, supporting businesses and start-ups in the sector to scale and innovate. The upfront government funding is expected to attract further private sector investment, positioning the UK as a global leader in fusion technology and creating thousands of high-skilled jobs. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasised the significance of the investment: “This government is taking back control of Britain’s energy by driving for clean homegrown power through our Plan for Change. “Fusion has the potential to provide us with energy security whilst attracting the best technologies to our shores and training up the next generation of British scientists and engineers. “We are backing both nuclear and fusion power, and today, we take a step forward in growing this exciting industry.” Fusion energy explained Fusion energy is a revolutionary power source that mimics the same process that fuels the Sun. It involves combining two isotopes of hydrogen at extreme …

UK invests £20m in flying taxis and drone services

UK invests £20m in flying taxis and drone services

The UK is gearing up for a transportation revolution, with flying taxis and large-scale drone services set to become a reality. In a landmark move, the UK Government has announced over £20m in funding to accelerate the development of next-generation aviation technology. Announced by the UK Aviation Minister Mike Kane, this funding aims to break down regulatory barriers, enhance public services, and propel the country toward a greener, more efficient future in air mobility. Minister Kane explained: “I want the UK to have the most advanced aviation technology ecosystem in the world. “That means creating a nimble regulatory environment and a culture of innovation so everyone can benefit from cutting-edge transport while tackling emissions, traffic, and potentially saving lives. “Our investment alongside the new Future of Flight industry group will bring together tech experts, drone operators, flying vehicle manufacturers and local communities to identify where change needs to happen.” Unlocking barriers to innovation The funding will help streamline regulations, allowing the aviation sector to embrace futuristic solutions like electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles and autonomous …

Canada invests m in HTEC’s hydrogen liquefaction facility

Canada invests $49m in HTEC’s hydrogen liquefaction facility

As the world transitions toward cleaner energy solutions, Canada is taking decisive action to solidify its leadership in sustainable innovation. Recognising the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and invest in renewable energy sources, the federal government is backing projects that drive economic growth while enhancing environmental sustainability. One such transformative initiative is a significant investment in hydrogen liquefaction technology, which promises to revolutionise the clean energy sector and pave the way for a greener future. Major investment in hydrogen liquefaction Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, has announced a significant $49m investment in HTEC through the Strategic Innovation Fund. This funding will support a $472m project to establish and operate a cutting-edge hydrogen liquefaction facility in North Vancouver. The facility will be able to capture and liquefy 15 tonnes per day of industrial by-product hydrogen, converting waste into a valuable, clean fuel source. Anand commented: “Low-carbon hydrogen is key in achieving our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 – and the demand for it is growing across Canada and around the world. …

EU invests €227M in Austrian wafer manufacturing plant

EU invests €227M in Austrian wafer manufacturing plant

The European Commission has approved a €227m Austrian initiative to support ams Osram in constructing a state-of-the-art wafer manufacturing facility in Premstätten. This initiative is a major step toward strengthening Europe’s semiconductor supply chain, enhancing resilience, and advancing technological autonomy. The investment aligns with the European Chips Act, reinforcing Europe’s role in global semiconductor production. Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, stated:“This Austrian project will have wide positive effects on the European semiconductor ecosystem. “It will support the development of a strong and resilient digital economy in Europe, ensure a secure supply of semiconductors for the industry and help create high-skilled employment while limiting any potential distortion of competition.” Strengthening European semiconductor independence Semiconductors power modern technology, from automobiles to industrial equipment and medical devices. Europe has long relied on foreign chip manufacturers, particularly in Asia and the United States. Recent global supply chain disruptions have highlighted Europe’s dependency on semiconductor imports, affecting industries from automotive production to consumer electronics. By investing in local wafer manufacturing, Europe can reduce reliance on …

EU invests €422m to expand alternative fuels infrastructure

EU invests €422m to expand alternative fuels infrastructure

In a significant move towards greener transportation, the European Commission has selected 39 groundbreaking projects across the EU to expand alternative fuels infrastructure. These projects will receive a total investment of €422m through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), reinforcing the EU’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality. This substantial financial boost aims to accelerate the transition to cleaner and more sustainable transport options. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, commented: “The 39 projects we are supporting today will accelerate the deployment of critical recharging and refuelling infrastructure needed for our expanding zero-emission fleets. “Together, they will add nearly 5,000 new charging points, including 626 mega-watt chargers, helping citizens choose zero-emission vehicles and contribute to a cleaner environment.” Key investments in clean transport solutions The selected projects will drive the deployment of essential infrastructure for alternative fuels. A significant portion of the funding will support the installation of 2,500 public electric recharging points for light-duty vehicles and 2,400 for heavy-duty vehicles along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Additionally, 35 …

US invests 5m to advance digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing

US invests $285m to advance digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing

The US Government has announced a $285m Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The funding will enable the development of a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute that focuses on advancing digital twins for manufacturing semiconductors. The first-of-its-kind facility will specialise in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly, and test processes. CHIPS is the first institute launched by the Department of Commerce and will join a network of 17 Manufacturing USA institutes boosting domestic manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo commented: “Digital twin technology can help to spark innovation in research, development, and manufacturing of semiconductors across the country – but only if we invest in America’s understanding and ability of this new technology. “This new Manufacturing USA institute will not only help to make America a leader in developing this new technology for the semiconductor industry, it will also help train the next generation of American workers and researchers to use digital twins for future advances in R&D and production of chips.” CHIPS Manufacturing USA overview The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute aims …

South East Angels invests in air traffic control startup Skyverse

South East Angels invests in air traffic control startup Skyverse

Brighton-based angel investment group South East Angels has invested in Skyverse – a startup providing technology solutions to air traffic control teams. Skyverse helps airports modernise away from traditional processes to a cloud workflow solution that provides more data, transparency and insight to a control tower. This allows regional and general aviation airports to access the same standard of tools typically delivered to the major international airports. Skyverse’s SaaS tools replace air traffic services’ paper-based processes and a significant volume of repetitious radio and telephone communications. The tools share clearer, faster and richer information between air traffic services and their network of users. This cuts controller and assistant workload while improving safety and situational awareness. With the backing of South East Angels as part of its seed round, Skyverse is looking to continue its growth internationally, helping small airports reduce costs and increase safety. Kristina Pereckaite, managing director of South East Angels, said: “We’re thrilled to be investing in Skyverse, who identified a market in need of modernising and built a product that can deliver …

‘You stay classy, Leeds?’ Anchorman star Will Ferrell invests in Championship club | UK News

‘You stay classy, Leeds?’ Anchorman star Will Ferrell invests in Championship club | UK News

Will Ferrell has become the latest celebrity to invest in Leeds United – joining Gladiator star Russell Crowe and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. The Hollywood actor, 56, has bought a stake in the Championship club’s owners 49ers Enterprises, in which golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas also have shares. Ferrell, who is best known for his comedic roles in films such as Elf, Anchorman and Blades Of Glory, is already the co-owner of Major Soccer side Los Angeles FC. He revealed his love of the English game during a six-day trip to watch matches around the country with friends, including Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa last season, speaking to Sky Sports pundits including Gary Neville ahead of the fixture. Ferrell, who played the chief executive of toy company Mattel in last summer’s blockbuster Barbie alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, was also spotted enjoying a pint with fans before watching Wrexham beat Wealdstone in the National League. Image: Ferrell with Gary Neville. Pic: Sky Sports Read more from Sky News:Lord Of The Rings …

Jack Dorsey’s Block invests in Bitcoin’s with 10% monthly profit allocation

Jack Dorsey’s Block invests in Bitcoin’s with 10% monthly profit allocation

Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s payments firm Block has announced plans to plow 10% of profits from its products back into Bitcoin each month. The initiative, unveiled in Block’s latest quarterly report, is the latest move from the enigmatic billionaire to underline his faith in the cryptocurrency. The fintech firm first embraced Bitcoin in 2020 with a $220 million investment. Those holdings have since surged 160% to reach $573 million by the close of Q1 2024. CEO Jack Dorsey emphasized his belief in Bitcoin’s potential in the report and stated, “Going forward, each month we will be investing 10% of our gross profit from Bitcoin products into Bitcoin purchases.” He added, “Historically and moving forward, our investment in Bitcoin transcends technology; it is an investment in a future where economic empowerment is the norm.” Addressing the question of ‘why Bitcoin?’ in the report, Dorsey wrote: “But why spend time on Bitcoin at all? We believe the world needs an open protocol for money, one that’s not owned or controlled by any single entity. We believe Bitcoin …

Citigroup’s VC arm invests in API security startup Traceable

Citigroup’s VC arm invests in API security startup Traceable

In 2017, Jyoti Bansal co-founded San Francisco-based security company Traceable alongside Sanjay Nagaraj, a former investor. With Traceable, Bansal — who previously co-launched app performance management startup AppDynamics, acquired by Cisco in 2017 — sought to build a platform to protect customers’ APIs from cyberattacks. Attacks on APIs — the sets of protocols that establish how platforms, apps and services communicate — are on the rise. API attacks affected nearly one quarter of organizations every week in the first month of 2024, a 20% increase from the same period a year ago, according to cybersecurity firm Check Point. API attacks take many forms, including attempting to make an API unavailable by overwhelming it with traffic, bypassing authentication methods, and exposing sensitive data transferred via a vendor’s APIs. “There’s a lack of recognition of the criticality of API security,” Bansal told TechCrunch in an interview, “as well as ignorance of the ever-growing attack surface in APIs and a resistance to embrace API security due to entrenched investments in security solutions that don’t address the API security …