Best Things We've Heard All Week | MadTech Roundu

Last week was a week of random facts, and our top MadTech news will provide just that. Here are the best things we heard all week.

1. Self-driving cars could flip the auto insurance industry on its head

We caught up with our good friends from LV who produced this little nugget of information.

It's thought there will be a huge shift of responsibility from driver to car manufacturer, as well as a general price decrease.

And that got us thinking – where will insurers now focus to grow their market, and, more importantly, how will they advertise better to build a share of sectors like health which are seen as a big opportunity?

2. The Next Web was awesome

And the incredible LivingLens got through to the final of their scaleup pitch event. Congrats!

We actually joined our partners, Startup Amsterdam, at their stall this time and were really impressed with the quality of startups we met. Don't forget, we're still accepting applications for our first Amsterdam cohort!

https://twitter.com/Livinglenstv/status/865278436381773826

3. The Europa's nominees featured some of our key community

That's right, Richard Fearn and Gabbi Cahane – we're looking at you!

If you want to vote, you can do so here.

4. A slice of proof that we've got to do more

Yep, we weren't best pleased with this update, but with this bad news can come positivity if we all try. What were your thoughts?

Best Things We've Heard All Week: MadTech News

We've had rain, we've had sun, and when the temperature dropped in the middle of the week, we may as well have had snow.

Typically British – talking about the weather first – but yes, it's been another hectic week (for MadTech too, not just the skies). So here's our roundup of the best things we've heard all week.

1. We compared the age of a scaleup to the behaviour of a child.

Collider Mentor Network Sarah Wood Seenit

Well actually, it was Lee from Beem. Honestly: "We're a five-year-old company, and like many five-year-olds, were full of unique potential and not without challenges."

Lee served up this slice of gold dust at our Scaleup Mentor Network on Friday, where we had some of the biggest names in MadTech including Sarah Wood, Anu Shah, Zaid Al-Zaidy, Rod Banner, Marion Barnard, Richard Fearn and Frank Kelcz.

We were also joined by the team at Microsoft Bizspark, who once again supported us in providing the best community and support as possible to our startups, with Ella Cockerell joining us too.

2. Celebrate and embrace your vulnerability, because if you don't feel any, you're probably not pushing yourself hard enough.

That's a quote from Co-Founder Andy's favourite article of the week, and something we couldn't agree with more.

If you're a new manager and not sure what to focus on, definitely give it a read.

3. A huge win for the tech scene.

improbable founder

Did you see this update? UK virtual reality firm Improbable announced their $500m raise last week, which meant the latest UK unicorn was born.

4. Our animal knowledge is not what we thought.

We got told – good and proper. Turns out, Karmarama's short legged llama is apparently an alpaca. Oops.

https://twitter.com/shaunmnemonic/status/861540202682122245

5. Startup pop up trial landed on our doorstep.

We were pretty excited to see the incredible City Mapper bus outside Collider HQ last week. Did anyone hop on their free bus?

https://twitter.com/andyt8/status/861936710246117377

Best Things We've Heard All Week: MadTech News

The working week never feels long enough, but if someone suggested lengthening it, we'd laugh, cry and result in a resounding no. (Come on, even you entrepreneurial types).

But with so much going on in MadTech, from adtech and martech news, industry events, recent raises and inspiring people, here's our summary of the best things we've heard all week.

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1. "As the world gets more serious, social media becomes more trivial".

As a die hard lover of the Nokia 3210 ("I mean... it has snake"), Bob Geldof is never going to be the biggest fan of social, but his views gave us some serious food for thought.

Our marketing lady Tazz headed to a breakfast meet up with the man himself, who blames social media for many people's misjudgement, raising the point that speaking out on social isn't 'doing something' or 'doing good', it's just a self fulfilling prophecy which blocks us from making things count.

https://twitter.com/TazzGault/status/857596591338917888

2. We coined FONK.

Thanks Gabbi.👌

https://twitter.com/GabbiCahane/status/857980672929124354

3. Business is to "work with people who believe what you believe".

You know the quote? It's pretty powerful, no matter how many times you hear it. And that's why Co-Founder Rose thought this article – 27 things one person learnt from Simon Sinek – is well worth a read.

Point one: It took Simon over 11 years to become an overnight success...

4. Will the UK manage to fill the gap between seed funding and Series B?

It's a common debate in the office, and this week in particular, it became a bit of a theme.

We read this article from the Financial Times, and enjoyed a heated debate at FastPay's meet up, discussing the crucial matter of how to scale a digital media business. We'd love to hear your thoughts?

https://twitter.com/ColliderGB/status/857871545997430785

5. The llama at Kamarama's legs are too short.

Well, according to Co-Founder Andy anyway, who spent Friday afternoon with the Unilever Foundry judging a panel.

https://twitter.com/andyt8/status/860482978815803392

The Mad World of MadTech: April Roundup

MadTech has many verticals, with April proving just that, going down as a month of awesome coverage, impressive awards and enviable partnerships. Check out our top four updates from the Collider alumni.

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1. Good-Loop's Amy named by BBC as an ‘entrepreneur women using tech for good’

Not only did Amy impress our audience on Demo Day, she's now stunned the BBC thanks to her inspiring storing on why she decided to fund her startup.

Shocked by the huge existent inequality between countries and with a background in advertising, Amy decided to try and make the world a better place using adtech. Good-Loop aims to make a real positive impact by rewarding viewers of video ads with donations to their chosen charities.

Such a great example to follow! Read more here.

2. Emily from Seenit wins Entrepreneur Award from ‘10 Digital Ladies’

Our very own class of ’14 alum are making us proud again!

This time Seenit Founder and CEO, Emily Forbes, was a main guest at the event run at google HQ celebrating women who have successfully launched their own digital business. And not only that, but she ended up being crowned the Entrepreneur Award winner of the year.

From a background in film production and with almost no digital experience, Emily has built into a £1.1m business in just three years.

Big congrats to you Emily! Read more here.

3. LivingLens partner with world leader in experience management

The new product LivingLens and Qualtrics are releasing together will allow organisations to form a better customer understanding, giving them the ability to tell their stories and share feedback, all thanks to LivingLens' rich video content ability.

Read more here.

4. Sonovate name Pixoneye as ones to watch

The Pixoneye team have been spotted on the '50 Fastest Growing Companies in the UK' list by Sonovate. Congrats!