James Murdoch considers the challenges for investors around the timely collection of EIS and SEIS Certificates.

The anger and frustration unleashed by the appalling murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis is simple to understand - Black Lives Matter - no exceptions! Whilst some of the issues are straight forward and action can be taken to resolve them quickly; much is complex and difficult to put right overnight as it is deeply ingrained, insidious and systemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the housing market hard but this does not mean that developers looking for financing are out of options, says Hilltop Credit Partners, adding how a combination of factors will translate into specialist finance providers coming to the forefront for filling in the funding gap. The West-End fund is a specialist funding partner for small and mid-sized residential property developers and house builders in the UK.

Richard Davies, Chief Operating Officer at Revolut, just spoke at CogX, the Global Leadership Summit and Festival of AI and Breakthrough Technology, where he discussed the future of challenger banks, the ambitions for Revolut  and the challenges for the sector ahead.

Daisy Onubogu, Head of Networks & Communities, Backed VC and Anu Adebajo, Investment Manager, British Patient Capital, spoke at CogX, about how those in the start-up and VC ecosystem can take real action to support black founders and improve diversity in the sector.

One in seven small business owners (14%) say they are transitioning towards becoming fully or mainly online enterprises since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK, according to new research from Hitachi Capital Business Finance.

In my annual review of my portfolio last month, I focussed on an analysis of what had happened in "normal time" any effects of current, more challenging times, had not yet come through. But what is the risk to companies and to my portfolio strategy and is it worth continuing to invest in this sector? More generally what are the lessons of this stress test for the future?

While the initial shock of lockdown was evident in early April with some deal processes being postponed or even falling away entirely, the surprise has perhaps been the speed of the bounce back in new deal activity in just a few weeks, according to David Gee, an investment committee member at YFM Equity Partners (YFM).

Financial firms need to adopt a digital-focussed working environment if they want to survive beyond current lockdowns, says Arches Capital. The Amsterdam-based Business Angels believe that strong technological foundations and connectivity have been among the main reasons why they have been able to support their members and the Dutch start-up ecosystem amid current social and economic uncertainty.

Sukendhu Pal talks about the impact of Coronavirus on London's start ups and offers advice on what they can to help mitigate some of the worst impacts on their businesses.

Turnaround investor Jon Moulton has described the Covid-19 environment as the biggest disruption he has seen in his 40-year business career.  Mr Moulton, who lives in Guernsey and is Chairman of The International Stock Exchange, headquartered in the island, is one of two panellists speaking at Guernsey Finance’s Virtual Funds Forum later this month.

Figures from Plexal and Beauhurst released this week show there was £663 million of investment in UK companies over the lockdown period between March 23 and April 27. However, the total number of deals is down and almost 1,000 small U.K firms are currently in administration or liquidation.

Kerry Baldwin, Managing Partner of IQ Capital has commented on why the UK investment industry shouldn't get a false sense of security from these figures.