Rebecca Burn-Callander

TransferWise, the money transfer platform, has raised $26m (£17.

Sugru, the maker of a colourful hi-tech adhesive putty that can be used to fix almost anything, will launch its maiden crowdfunding round in the US later this year, after rules banning ordinary Americans from backing start-ups were finally overhauled.

Savills, the upmarket estate agent, has led a £16m round of funding into digital property start-up Yopa in a bid to secure its future as consumers rush online to sell their homes.

America’s fastest-growing restaurant chain, MOD Pizza, has arrived in the UK, opening its first outlet in Leeds after securing backing from Carphone Warehouse founder and TalkTalk chairman Sir Charles Dunstone and his business partner Roger Taylor.

Jaan Tallinn, the co-founder of technology giant Skype, which is now owned by Microsoft, has revealed that he is working on a new project.

An organic baby food start-up, backed by the TV gastronome Prue Leith and Craig Sams, the co-founder of the upmarket confectionery firm Green & Blacks, is forecasting a turnover of £2m in its first year, having secured lucrative deals with Waitrose, Asda and Booths.

Rebecca Burn-Callander takes a look at the state of businesses in the UK

We’re more used to seeing female entrepreneurs but there are still huge obstacles in the way of women trying to start a business

This scheme has helped would-be landlords make the first step – but not without risks

Funding a business dream with parents’ cash comes with heavy emotional costs