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Novata announces collaboration with Microsoft to scale sustainability solutions for SMEs globally
Novata, a private markets’ sustainability management partner, announced a collaboration with Microsoft. Novata will leverage Microsoft Azure AI Foundry – including Azure AI Search – and Microsoft Fabric to unlock new efficiencies and capabilities in its sustainability solutions, data management and reporting process for businesses globally, giving small- and midsized Microsoft customers and supply chain partners access to Novata’ s pioneering sustainability technology solutions.
“ We are excited to deepen our relationship with Microsoft, a company that has not only revolutionised productivity but has also been a leader in addressing the climate crisis and leveraging AI for good,” said Alex Friedman, CEO and Cofounder of Novata.
“ This collaboration expands our global reach and strengthens our commitment to providing trusted technology that simplifies sustainability data management, helping companies unlock growth opportunities and enhance their resilience in a rapidly changing world.”
Since its commercial launch in April 2022, Novata has experienced significant global demand for its all-in-one solution for sustainability data management, carbon accounting, regulatory reporting and advisory services.
Novata has also been a portfolio company of Microsoft’ s Climate Innovation Fund( CIF) since 2023, reinforcing the alignment of Novata’ s mission with Microsoft’ s commitment to advancing sustainability solutions. CIF is dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of new climate innovations through both equity and debt capital.
Record levels of lending at ThinCats despite challenges in market
ThinCats, a leading alternative finance provider to mid-sized
SMEs, has announced a record year of lending for its financial year, which ended on 30 June, 2025. Over the past 12 months, ThinCats provided £ 381 million of funding to businesses, a small increase on the previous financial year’ s £ 378 million.
The figures are especially positive given the uncertainty and challenges facing UK mid-sized businesses ranging from global tariffs, tax increases on businesses and the base rate falling less frequently than forecasted; all of which have a dampening effect on the demand for borrowing. This is highlighted in the most recent industry figures from Experian showing a year-on-year dip in UK M & A activity by 24 %. In spite of these challenges, ThinCats continues to be a debt provider for M & A funding.
ThinCats saw a significant increase in use of its transactional capital proposition, a flexible borrowing product that is especially useful for companies engaging in‘ buy and build’ strategies.
In total, ThinCats has now lent more than £ 2 billion to businesses across the UK while assets under management stand just under £ 1 billion.
Mike Hackett, Chief Commercial Officer, ThinCats, said:“ It’ s been a hugely challenging year for UK companies. At home and abroad, we have seen enormous challenges, but adversity can often lead to opportunity with interest and borrower activity across healthcare, telecoms and B2B services. There continues to be huge resilience across the mid-sized SMEs who are looking to grow and invest.”
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