Top-7 Oxford Startups to Watch

Historically, Oxford-based startups have lagged behind their London and Cambridge counterparts in securing venture funding. However, this year, Oxford’s up-and-coming companies raised a combined €455 million (£378 million) across 28 deals, underscoring the potential of these innovative startups, according to Sifted. Analysts in the tech sector have highlighted several promising Oxford-based companies.

1. Salience Labs

• Founded: 2020
• Total Funding: €16.6 million (£13.8 million)

Salience Labs develops photonic chips that use light to transfer data, addressing bottlenecks in data centers where slow data transmission limits performance. The startup's technology aims to accelerate data center performance with faster and more efficient optical switches.

2. Fluorok

• Founded: 2022
• Total Funding: €12.93 million (£10.7 million)

Originating from chemist Veronique Gouverneur’s laboratory, Fluorok has created a chemical toolkit that eliminates the need for hydrofluoric acid, a hazardous substance used in producing essentials like pharmaceuticals and batteries. This technology has the potential to make the global chemical industry safer and more environmentally friendly.

3. Oxccu

• Founded: 2021
• Total Funding: €24.21 million (£20.1 million)

Oxccu’s team uses carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen, and renewable electricity to produce eco-friendly fuels and chemicals. The company’s primary goal is to reduce the cost of sustainable fuel, helping decrease the carbon footprint of the aviation industry.

4. Quantum Dice

• Founded: 2020
• Total Funding: €2.38 million (£1.9 million)

A spin-off from Oxford University’s Quantum Optics Lab, Quantum Dice is pioneering secure random number generation technology, which can be applied in cryptography, game development, and various scientific research requiring complex simulations.

5. Lumai

• Founded: 2022
• Total Funding: €3.48 million (£2.8 million)

The team at Lumai is developing AI accelerators based on 3D optics, offering superior speed and energy efficiency compared to standard digital processors. The company’s technology could enhance data center performance, enabling faster processing of large data volumes.

6. Archangel Lightworks

• Founded: 2017
• Total Funding: €4.76 million (£3.9 million)

This aerospace startup focuses on laser communication systems to improve data transfer from space satellites to Earth. Founder and CEO Richard Johansson believes this technology will significantly boost the volume and quality of data received from space, advancing satellite communications.

7. Ochre Bio

• Founded: 2019
• Total Funding: €36.5 million (£30.3 million)

Founded by Jack O'Meara and Quin Wills, Ochre Bio is a biotech company developing RNA therapies for chronic liver diseases. Using miniature liver organoids and computational biology, the team is testing new treatments that could drive major advancements in liver disease research.

These startups represent some of the most exciting developments emerging from Oxford’s innovation ecosystem, contributing to advances in data processing, sustainable energy, biotechnology, and beyond.

First family of the US

Donald Trump, a former president and businessman, has a family life that has often been in the public eye. It spans multiple marriages and a well-known set of children, each with significant media exposure and involvement in various business and social activities.

Marriages

Donald Trump has been married three times:

Ivana Trump: Donald Trump’s first wife, Ivana Trump (née Zelníčková), was a Czech model and businesswoman. They married in 1977 and had three children together: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric. The couple became a prominent pair in the 1980s, with Ivana playing an active role in Trump’s businesses, particularly as Vice President of Interior Design for The Trump Organization. However, their marriage ended in a high-profile divorce in 1992.

Marla Maples: Following his divorce from Ivana, Trump married actress and television personality Marla Maples in 1993. Together, they had one child, Tiffany Trump. This marriage was shorter-lived, with the couple divorcing in 1999. Tiffany grew up mainly in California, raised by Maples but kept a close connection with her father.

Melania Trump: Trump married his current wife, Melania Trump (née Knauss), a Slovenian model, in 2005. Melania has taken on the role of both a public figure and businesswoman, designing her own line of jewellery and skincare products before becoming First Lady of the United States in 2017. Together, they have one son, Barron Trump, born in 2006.

Children

Donald Trump has five children, each of whom has taken on varied roles in business, media, and public life.

1. Donald Trump Jr.: As the eldest son, born in 1977, Donald Trump Jr. is one of the most visible children of Donald Trump. He plays a key role in The Trump Organization and is heavily involved in business operations, focusing on real estate and global development projects. Known for his outspoken social media presence, Trump Jr. has become a prominent political voice among conservative circles.

2. Ivanka Trump: Born in 1981, Ivanka Trump is perhaps the most recognized of the Trump children. She initially made a name in fashion and business with her own lines of jewelry, shoes, and clothing. During her father’s presidency, Ivanka served as a senior advisor, focusing on issues related to women’s rights and workforce development. She is married to Jared Kushner, with whom she has three children.

3. Eric Trump: Born in 1984, Eric Trump is the third child from Trump’s marriage to Ivana. He is involved in The Trump Organization, where he manages the company’s real estate portfolio alongside his older brother, Donald Jr. Eric is married to Lara Trump, and they have two children.

4. Tiffany Trump: Born in 1993 to Trump’s second wife, Marla Maples, Tiffany is Trump’s only child raised primarily outside of New York City. She graduated from Georgetown University Law Center and has mostly maintained a lower profile compared to her siblings, although she has appeared at various family events and political functions. Tiffany married Michael Boulos in 2022.

5. Barron Trump: Barron, born in 2006, is the youngest of Trump’s children and his only child with Melania. Barron has largely stayed out of the public eye, appearing occasionally at high-profile events with his parents. He is currently attending school and is known for his fluency in both Slovenian, his mother’s native language, and English.

Trump’s Family Legacy

The Trump family, with its close involvement in both business and politics, has captured a significant amount of public attention over the years. Each member of the family has engaged in various forms of business or public service, and they frequently make headlines for both their professional and personal lives. With Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka, and Eric at the helm of The Trump Organization, the legacy of the family business continues, while Tiffany and Barron pursue education and new opportunities.

The UN WOMEN NOBLE PRIZE 2024

The UN WOMEN NOBLE PRIZE is a prestigious award recognizing outstanding women who have made significant contributions in various fields aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This prize is awarded to women leaders whose work has driven innovation, social change, and humanitarian efforts, positively impacting global communities. Here is a look at some of the recent laureates and their remarkable achievements:

• 2016: Olga Azarova was awarded the UN WOMEN NOBLE PRIZE for her pioneering work in advancing education quality worldwide. Her brand, MINIBOSS BUSINESS SCHOOL, was recognized as an innovative educational business model, transforming how entrepreneurship and life skills are taught to young learners globally.

• 2019: Lidia Golubenko received the award for her steadfast advocacy for women’s rights and leadership. Her efforts have supported countless women in achieving equity and empowerment, serving as a model for rights-based approaches to gender equality.

• 2020: Vera Chub was honoured for her commitment to education quality, particularly in underserved regions. Her initiatives have enhanced access to knowledge and educational opportunities, uplifting communities through improved academic standards.

Euro Plunge Against Pound: Causes and Expert Forecasts

November 7, 2024 — Today, the euro has shown significant weakening against the British pound. The currency’s decline follows unfavorable economic data and expectations of continued monetary easing by the European Central Bank (ECB). Experts attribute this drop to several key factors.

Economic Situation in the Eurozone

Recent reports from Eurozone countries have indicated a slowdown in economic growth, raising concerns among investors. The manufacturing and service sectors are cooling, GDP growth remains low, and consumer activity has declined, undermining confidence in the stability of the EU economy. These factors are driving investors to abandon the euro in favor of more stable assets, leading to a depreciation of the currency.

European Central Bank Policy

The European Central Bank has been maintaining an accommodative monetary policy to stimulate economic growth. However, such a policy weakens the euro, as low interest rates reduce the yield on assets in the euro area. Additionally, market expectations suggest that the ECB will continue on this path, despite inflationary risks, which further negatively impacts the currency’s exchange rate.

Strengthening of the British Pound