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Confidence high as middle-market executives expect double-digit growth

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Despite forecasts of economic headwinds ahead and increasing geopolitical uncertainties, many middle-market companies are still bullish about their growth prospects, according to the 20th edition of the EY Global Capital Confidence Barometer (CCB), a biannual survey of more than 2,900 executives across 47 countries.

Fifty-eight percent of middle-market executives surveyed said that their companies expect double-digit growth in 2019 – more than double the percentage in 2018 (27%), with 91% expecting global and domestic economic growth to increase over the next 12 months and 83% confident about corporate earnings, short-term market stability and credit availability.

Smaller middle-market companies (between US$100m and US$250m in revenues) display even higher levels of confidence, with 71% anticipating double-digit growth and 42% of those expecting growth rates of 16% or more over the coming year. In contrast, for the biggest middle-market segment (US$1bUS$3b in revenues), the numbers are 52% and 12%, respectively.

However, for all their confidence in growth opportunities in 2019, middle-market executives acknowledge that there are also risks. While the percentage of middle-market executives concerned about a slowdown in economic activity impacting their growth plans has dropped (from 42% in 2018 to 33% in 2019), executives still see it as a top priority risk, followed by geopolitical risk (19%) and supply chain disruption (19%).

Geographically, confidence has shifted westwards in the past year, with 80% of US-based and 57% of European-based middle-market companies expecting double-digit growth over the next 12 months. Where Asia-Pacific led the way for growth opportunities in 2018, only 39% of middle-market executives in the region have double-digit growth expectations for 2019.

Ryan Burke, EY Global Growth Markets Leader, says:

“Against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tensions, trade issues among the US, China and Europe, as well as uncertainty as to how the UK will leave the European Union, middle-market executives remain hugely optimistic in their growth outlook and are taking advantage of ongoing global and local economic growth as well as strong macroeconomic fundamentals. Middle market companies see strong opportunities in leveraging M&A, and the use of technology to gain a competitive edge.”

M&A appetite is strong among middle-market executives

The appetite for global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is strong, with 47% of middle-market executives expecting their companies to pursue M&A over the next 12 months, and 90% anticipate that the M&A market will improve during the same timeframe.

The UK remains a significant investment destination for middle-market executives, despite its intention to leave the European Union, and ranks second globally behind only the US. The remaining top five investment destinations of choice for middle-market executives are GermanyChina and France.

In terms of sector focus, technology companies (54%) have the biggest appetite for deal making, followed by telecommunications (49%) and industrials (49%).

Technology investment still key to middle-market growth ambitions

To improve their agility and resilience against risks that could negatively impact their growth plans, almost all middle-market companies (97%) indicate that they are planning significant investments in technology in the year ahead.

The past two years have seen been a dramatic shift in attitudes towards new technology. In 2017, 74% of middle-market executives said they would never adopt robotic process automation. However, in 2018, 73% of executives said they were already adopting or planning to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) within two years. This year, 71% say they are planning to develop and deploy AI in-house.

The emphasis on technology investment is spread across multiple priorities — creating new products and services, improving internal efficiencies, enhancing the customer experience and improving data access and analysis. However, risk reduction (including cybersecurity) is a stand-out priority for investment. In 2018, only 7% of middle-market executives said they would be investing in technology that reduced risks, while this year that percentage has more than doubled, with 19% now looking to invest in technologies that can help them manage and mitigate risk.

Burke says:

“Looking ahead, we anticipate that middle-market executives will focus on achieving their ambitious growth plans through a combination of seizing fast-growth opportunities through M&A, and strengthening financial discipline, managing their supply chains and implementing AI. In finding the right balance between growth and investment, middle-market companies can achieve growth, improve agility and build resilience while navigating the uncertain times ahead.”

 

SOURCE EY

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Sleep interiors brand gets job offer from Peter Jones despite not securing investment in Dragons Den

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LONDON, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Tonight on BBC1, REMY founder Abeer Iqbal, entered the Den, and despite intense grilling and no investment, left with a six-figure job offer from Peter Jones

Abeer’s pitch began with the Dragon’s keen to experience his sleep-enhancing furniture. When Steven and Peter laid on his hero  ‘The Pod’, a reinvention of the beanbag, and under REMY’s best-selling ‘The Lounger’ weighted blankets, the dragons closed their eyes and pretended to snore. Which was ironic, as despite being told he’d enter the Den around 5pm, Abeer actually went in at 9.30pm, after the dragons had been receiving pitches since early that day, which to Abeer’s own admission “wasn’t easy”. Deborah Meaden said, “This might have been a fatal mistake to put your dragons to sleep before we start the pitch” – recognising that it had been a long day.

After 10+ years working in tech, helping multi-million pound businesses grow their empire at software giants like Shopify, Abeer experienced burn-out, which led him to develop REMY. Despite Abeer telling the dragons that he left the high-pressure industry due to stress and anxiety Peter Jones still offered him a job back in the rat race with a six-figure sum (which he still hasn’t taken). 

After leaving the Den, Abeer admitted feeling the “most anxious ever” and that he “just wanted to get back to his wife for a hug”.  Abeer shared, “I didn’t sleep for days, replaying every moment in my mind. I wanted to forget it.” But it’s not all bad, as Abeer explains, “the anxiety I experienced from the Den gave me a lightbulb moment and led me to create our most popular product yet – The Hugger Pillow. I needed a hug, so I created one”. 

Abeer continues, “I returned the next day to collect my items from the studio. I bumped into a fresh-faced Peter and Toukar in the carpark, they both praised my experience, Peter once again offered me a job and Toukar asked me to call him when I start the next business.”

The global ‘sleep economy’ is booming, projected to reach a record high of $585 billion this year. But Abeer felt he was unable to communicate this, “If I could have my time again, I would focus on the industry of Rest and Sleep rather than the specific products we were trying to innovate. I don’t think I articulated to the Dragon’s the size of the business opportunity that there is with REMY. In terms of what’s next, we are moving towards becoming a household name in rest and sleep but offering products in multiple categories.”

The Dragon that seemed to understand Abeer’s passion for this industry was Sara Davies, saying “I actually fundamentally don’t agree with what I’ve heard here. What I see in front of me, yes he is great at the e-commerce side of things but he gave up a career in corporate because he was passionate about this area. And if there’s one thing I know about business it’s that you will succeed when you pursue the thing you are passionate about. I wouldn’t discourage you to give up. Keep doing it and good luck. I think you could sell anything”.

You can watch Abeer Iqbal on Dragons’ Den on BBC iPlayer.

remysleep.com / @WEAREREMY

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Bitrue Coin (BTR) Analyzes User Behavior and Announces Upcoming Developments to Enhance Utility

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SINGAPORE, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Bitrue, a leading cryptocurrency exchange serving over 10 million users globally, announces a focus on user behavior analysis to further develop the utility of its native token, Bitrue Coin (BTR).

“Understanding how our users interact with BTR is crucial for its continued growth,” states Robert Quartly-Janeiro, Chief Strategy Officer of Bitrue. “This analysis will guide upcoming developments that enhance the value proposition of BTR within the Bitrue ecosystem.”

The announcement follows a recent surge in interest surrounding exchange tokens, and digital assets used to pay for services to unlock benefits within specific cryptocurrency exchanges. Currently, BTR offers a compelling range of benefits to Bitrue users, including:

  • Reduced Trading Fees: BTR holders enjoy lower trading fees on the Bitrue exchange, incentivizing active participation in the platform’s marketplace.
  • Governance Voting Rights: BTR grants voting rights on select new listings, allowing users to influence the direction of the Bitrue platform.
  • Staking Opportunities: BTR holders can stake their tokens to earn passive rewards, providing an additional avenue for generating income within the Bitrue ecosystem.
  • Exclusive Airdrop Potential: BTR holders may be eligible for airdrops of new tokens listed on the Bitrue exchange, offering the chance to discover promising crypto projects early.
  • VIP Investment Caps: BTR unlocks higher investment caps for certain cryptocurrencies on the Bitrue platform, catering to high-volume investors.

“BTR already plays a multifaceted role in the Bitrue experience,” Quarterly-Janeiro continues. “By strategically expanding its utility based on user behavior analysis, we aim to solidify BTR’s position within the exchange token market and elevate its value proposition for our user base.”

The specific developments based on user behavior analysis are not disclosed at this time. However, Bitrue assures its users of continued transparency and will share details in due course.

Media Contact: Lily Ho, [email protected]

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Affordability, customisation and convenience: Term plans from India become more attractive and accessible for NRIs

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Term insurance from India emerges as preferred choice for NRIs seeking affordability and convenience

DUBAI, UAE, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Policybazaar, India’s leading online insurance marketplace, is witnessing a significant increase in non-resident Indians (NRIs) choosing term insurance from India via its platform. This surge is driven by the unparalleled ease, affordability and accessibility offered by the Indian insurance market. While several factors contribute to the growing interest in term insurance in India, affordability and convenience stand out as primary reasons. The demand among the 18-60 age group has seen an impressive 130% year-on-year growth, with India emerging as the preferred choice for NRIs.

The surge in demand from NRIs can be credited to several standout features and benefits. Term policies from India cost up to 30-50% less for NRIs residing in the UAE and Singapore. Additionally, policies with coverage of up to INR 5 crores can be easily obtained with tele-medical check-ups from India, eliminating the need for physical visits. Unlike some countries with restricted policy terms and coverage, Indian term plans offer coverage for longer duration, extending up to 99 years.

Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO, Policybazaar, states, “We are witnessing exponential growth in term insurance purchases from NRIs, particularly from the Gulf nations and Singapore. Policybazaar has focused its efforts on expanding term insurance protection in both Indian and overseas markets. The unmatched benefits offered by India, including competitive pricing, larger covers, and streamlined processing through video/tele medicals, are significant contributors to this demand. It is heartening to see NRIs realizing the importance of securing their dependents’ future and choosing Indian term insurance policies.”

Term Insurance for a 35 year old male, non-smoker
Policy term – 30 years

Country

India

UAE

Cover Amount

INR 2 Cr / AED 881 K

AED 900 K

Max Cover Upto

99 years

80 years

Premium in AED

AED 977.8

AED 1,539

Premium in INR

INR 22,193.00

INR 34,892.00

Free Add-ons

Early Payout on Terminal Illness + Waiver of Premium

Price Benefit

36% cheaper in India

Source: Policybazaar.com

NRIs are also eligible for 18% GST exemption* upon purchasing term insurance plans from India, when paying via their NRE accounts. This attractive pricing, along with the availability of longer-term plans, has led to a rise in demand among NRIs, especially from Gulf nations, where 65% of term insurance buyers hail from, with the UAE alone contributing 35%.

Rhishabh Garg, Head of Term Insurance at Policybazaar, adds, “The evolution in the Indian term insurance industry is marked by innovative offerings designed to meet the distinct needs of consumers overseas. The consumer-centric features in term plans from India are increasingly appealing to NRIs, which include return of premium at no extra cost, early pay-outs for terminal illness, premium waivers for permanent disability, and immediate pay-out of up to INR 2 lakhs on claim intimation for immediate obituary expenses.”

The accessibility of these plans is further enhanced through seamless processing for NRIs, whose average annual income exceeds INR 35 lakhs. Insurers now also offer a sum assured of up to 5 crores, ensuring adequate coverage based on Human Life Value (HLV) calculations. NRIs can also leverage Policybazaar’s search and comparison engine to browse the best suitable plans as per their needs and preferences.

With a commitment to providing comprehensive coverage and protection, Policybazaar continues to redefine the landscape of term insurance for NRIs, empowering them to secure their loved one’s future with peace of mind. As NRIs continue to seek comprehensive coverage and value-driven solutions, Policybazaar remains dedicated to delivering innovative term insurance products and services tailored to their evolving needs.

*Tax benefits are subject to change in tax laws

About Policybazaar.com

Policybazaar.com is one of India’s largest insurance marketplace. It is the flagship platform of PB Fintech, which owns the fintech brand, Paisabazaar.com, and lending & insurance marketplace in the UAE region, Policybazaar.ae. Policybazaar.com started with the purpose to educate people on insurance products and with its offerings has addressed the large and highly underpenetrated online insurance markets.

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