Intelligent SME.tech Issue 24 | Page 9

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BlueTape to transform finance for SMBs in the construction industry

BlueTape , a leading payments and financing provider for the construction industry , today announced the closing of a US $ 50 million debt funding led by Arcadia Funds and a US $ 5 million seed round led by Chicago Ventures .

Other investors include construction industry executives , real estate developers and Plug and Play ventures .

This funding gives BlueTape the resources to continue providing payments and financing for the construction industry . BlueTape will increase lending , expand its team and develop new products to help construction businesses address the UK ’ s housing and infrastructure crisis .

The US construction industry market size is over US $ 1.3 trillion , made up of over 3 million small and mediumsized businesses .

Unfortunately , the industry lags behind others in technology adoption and has been neglected by traditional financial institutions .

BlueTape blends affordable financing options with easy-touse accounts receivable and invoice management tools .

Younger workers reconsidering WFH life

Emburse has announced the findings of its latest YouGov survey of British office workers , aiming to understand how living cost increases could influence work location preferences . Over 1,000 British employees were asked a range of questions covering hybrid working patterns and employer financial support in light of the cost-of-living crisis and increasing utility bills .

Emburse has commissioned research intending to understand the impact of increased living costs on British workers , to understand whether employees are being financially supported by their employer under these new circumstances . It also explored any shifts in work pattern behaviour as a result of the energy bills price increase .

The data suggests that the majority ( 42 %) of employees would opt for financial support from their employers to cover heating , electricity and mobile phone bills rather than commuting costs ( 35 %), indicating employees are still leaning towards WFH life .

KPMG and Stone & Chalk launch new tech residency scholarship

KPMG Australia and Stone & Chalk have joined forces to launch the Future Technology Programme , a commitment to help Australian start-ups succeed , not just at the beginning of their journey , but into the future .

Five start-up founders and their teams will receive complimentary residency for 12 months at one of Stone & Chalk ’ s startup hubs located nationally in the heart of Sydney , Melbourne or Adelaide . They will also receive a personalised support programme to help them rapidly grow their start-ups , covering areas such as investor readiness , industry insights , connections to potential clients and mentoring on how to work with global companies .

This unique partnership combines the largest innovation community in Australia at Stone & Chalk with KPMG ’ s deep expertise and knowledge . In this environment , innovation and advancement will be propelled forward through the collision of ideas and people .