How Valerie Brandes Became an Award-Winning Publisher by Embracing an Unexpected Entrepreneurial Journey
The Jacaranda Books founder’s story proves that purpose, resilience, and courage—not age—can redefine success in publishing. Success stories often begin with ambitious business plans, investment pitches, and lifelong entrepreneurial dreams. Valerie Brandes’ journey was remarkably different. The founder of Jacaranda Books, one of Britain’s leading independent Black-owned publishing houses, describes herself as an “accidental […]
North West Scaleups Get New Growth Platform as SCALE Manchester Debuts in November
Manchester, UK – Growth-stage businesses across England’s North West are set to benefit from a new platform aimed at accelerating innovation, investment and collaboration as SCALE Manchester makes its debut on 25 November 2026. The event, organised by SCALE, will take place at Freight Island, Manchester, bringing together founders, investors, business leaders and ecosystem partners […]
SEIS funding hits a record £276m as EIS plateaus at £1,575m: UK risk capital is moving earlier and smaller, SyndicateRoom finds
HMRC’s May 2026 statistics show the April 2023 SEIS expansion pulling capital toward younger companies — while EIS sits below its pre-pandemic level and London’s share of the money continues to slip. CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom — 7 July 2026 — Every May, HMRC publishes the closest thing UK venture has to a source of truth […]
As Corporate Comms Becomes Commercially-Inclined, PR Must Come on Board
By Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi The job of the public relations department is made difficult when it’s left to defend what it didn’t decide. A corollary is that communication isn’t meant to make decisions sound right after the fact but to help organisations think before speaking. Communications, as the guardian angel of a brand’s reputation, relationships, […]
President Tinubu Commissions Abuja’s Transit Way N2, Declares Era of Abandoned Projects Over
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the newly completed Transit Way N2 Corridor, a major road infrastructure linking Abuja’s Central Business District to Wuse through two modern bridges, describing the project as evidence that the Federal Capital Territory is entering a new era of timely infrastructure delivery. The commissioning formed part of activities marking […]
Africa’s Energy Revolution Begins with Innovation: A Conversation with Ada eze Osakwe
In a time when Africa is grappling with urgent questions around energy access, youth innovation, and sustainable development, a new generation of thinkers is stepping forward with bold ideas and practical solutions. In this edition of Etạ Interviews, we speak with Ada Eze osakwe, a researcher and advocate focused on renewable energy and climate innovation, whose […]
THE AI WONDERWOMAN LAUNCHES AFRICA’S FIRST 120-DAY LIVE AI REVOLUTION TRANSFORMATION MISSION
AI4AFRICA Set to Empower Businesses, Professionals, Youths, and Communities Across the Continent Through Real-Time Artificial Intelligence Adoption Starting with Lagos, Nigeria Africa stands at the threshold of the most significant technological shift of the 21st century. At a time when Artificial Intelligence is redefining industries, economies, and the future of work, one African leader is […]
Olodo Uprising: Before Brands Bite the Enticing Bait
By Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi The sensuous has always sought to subsume the substance in the Nigerian entertainment scene. Netizens who have been splitting hairs and spleen to push their stance on the trending Olodo Uprising debate forget that the pop culture conclave has been down this path before. Intellectualism apologists will therefore sleep easy if […]
Deactivating WhatsApp Read Receipts Defines Dialogue of the Deaf
By Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi Communication on messaging apps remains a mortal affair – not a conversation between man and God. Pompous persons who disable the blue marker on WhatsApp make what should be an interaction seem like a supplication. This parallel applies because the ordinary Christian is usually unsure whether the Lord has heard their […]
Effective PR Mirrors, Doesn’t Make Up!
Effective PR Mirrors, Doesn’t Make Up By Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi While makeup is usually worn by women to enhance beauty, it is a public relations anathema for an organisation that would be appealing. In today’s attention economy with its attendant digital rebellion, the souls of brands and businesses are constantly under a ruthless, unforgiving microscope. […]
