Michael Stausholm is the founder and CEO of SproutWorld, the Danish company behind the world’s only plantable pencils. Here, he talks to SME Today about his passion for sustainability, his fury at fakes, and making customised pencils for Michelle Obama. What is your business? SproutWorld makes the world’s only pencils that you can plant after use and grow into herbs, flowers or vegetables. The pencils are simple to use – once they are too short to write or colour with, the stub is planted into soil, with the capsule end down. That capsule contains seeds which can then grow into…
Author: sme-admin
By Ifty Nasir, founder and CEO of Vestd In my time as founder and CEO at Vestd, I’ve spoken to thousands of small business owners and I know that there’s one thing that everybody worries about: getting great people on board and getting them to stick around. Happily, I also know that there’s a compelling way to attract and keep hold of that talent – growth shares! Over the past five years we’ve seen a big jump in interest in growth shares (250%), especially from startups and early-stage businesses who want to reward their team but don’t necessarily have deep…
From fake funeral livestream scams to AI voice cloning, scammers in 2025 are using frighteningly realistic tactics – and it’s costing Brits billions. Experts at TelephoneSystems.Cloud have shared five of the latest scams exploiting new technology and the red flags that Brits should look out for. 67% of all reported scams in the UK are cyber-enabled, with criminals often taking advantage of technological advancements to target vulnerable people. * Scams now range from fake QR codes on parking meters and fraudulent digital landline switchover requests, to shockingly brazen tactics like fake funeral livestreams designed to exploit grieving families and friends. The explosion…
Rob Curtis, digital marketing specialist, founder of The Pursuit Agency, will be appearing as a guest speaker at South West Business Expo at STEAM in Swindon. Rob founded the Swindon-based marketing company in 2022, and will be hosting a talk for attendees at the South West Business Expo to urge ambitious businesses to embrace bold and strategic thinking and abandon the concept of ‘playing it safe’. The business event takes place on Thursday 10th of July. “I can’t wait for the South West Business Expo in Swindon. It’s always a great event, and anyone looking to grow their…
As ransomware continues to pose a serious threat to businesses worldwide, the UK Government has proposed new ransomware incident response rules aimed at reducing payments made by victims and enhancing the government’s ability to respond to these attacks. These proposals are part of a broader effort to reform UK cyber security rules, which was announced last year and is expected to take shape in 2025. What is the Ransomware Reporting Consultation? The UK Government’s Home Office has launched a consultation on new ransomware incident response rules. The main objectives of these proposals are to reduce the amount of money flowing to ransomware…
When putting together a bid strategy or business proposal, it’s crucial to showcase value that extends beyond simply offering the lowest price. Winning new business proposals is no easy feat. And writing them is unfortunately no easier. For new or small businesses, the process of bidding for contracts can be overwhelming, and leave you feeling unsure on what you truly bring to the table, especially in the face of stiff competition. If you’re left wondering what you can really offer a potential customer, the obvious choice might be to undercut on price. After all, better ROI and a lower price…
Joel Stone, founder of marketing agency Codebreak and SME AI and automation consultancy, That AI Guy, dives into the world of generative AI to explore how small business owners can use it to supercharge their products and services. Every man and his dog seems to be generating images with AI these days. You’ve probably seen the action figure trend, with big brands like Aldi and Holland & Barrett jumping on the bandwagon. Tools like Canva, Runway, Chat GPT and Sora are making it easier than ever. But the question is: could generative AI revolutionise marketing and give small businesses a…
Tide, the leading business financial platform in the UK, has been announced as the headline sponsor for 2025’s prestigious everywoman Entrepreneur Awards. The partnership will support female business owners through a year-long high-impact programme aimed at unlocking new opportunities for female founders ready to take their businesses to the next level. The everywoman awards have become a springboard for countless female entrepreneurs since their inception in 2003, providing a gateway to game-changing partnerships, commercial deals and investment opportunities that can dramatically accelerate business growth. The awards shine a spotlight on the UK’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs, from early-stage start-ups to…
In this compelling interview, we hear from Alexandra Palt, one of the foremost voices in sustainability today and widely recognised as the top keynote speaker on sustainable supply chains and the future of ethical supply chains. As the Executive Vice President of the L’Oréal Foundation and Chief Sustainability Officer at L’Oréal, Alexandra has been instrumental in leading the company’s ambitious transformation – redefining what corporate responsibility looks like in the 21st century. Her deep expertise, spanning sustainability leadership, gender equality, and inclusive innovation, places her at the heart of some of the most important conversations shaping global business today. In…
After a powerful appearance on the BBC Panorama documentary, motivational speaker and entrepreneur Brad Burton will headline The South West Expo on Thursday, 10th July 2025 at The Steam Museum, Swindon. Brad’s recent Panorama feature shed light on his harrowing experience as a victim of online stalking, a battle he has faced for the past four years. Despite the trauma, Brad has emerged stronger and more determined than ever—turning adversity into strength and using his voice to inspire others. Having worked with and inspired some of the world’s biggest brands, Brad will share his deeply personal and motivational story during…