Veenoo Sharma, founder and president of The Power Diaspora Forum (TPDF), has launched a female-founder accelerator at Dubai AI Campus, offering 30 fully funded places on a six-day programme that begins on 16 November.

SHE Leads with AI is the campus’s first female-founder accelerator and will be delivered at the Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) Innovation Hub.

Applications are open internationally, and Sharma is particularly encouraging UK female founders to apply.

Sharma, who is from Edinburgh and was recently named Diaspora Entrepreneurship Advisor to the Commonwealth Businesswomen’s Network, said: “I wanted to create a programme aimed at exceptional female entrepreneurs building businesses with real international potential. SHE Leads with AI also creates a direct pathway from the UK into Dubai’s AI, investment and business ecosystem, and gives founders the opportunity to build relationships and explore markets that might otherwise feel difficult to access.”

Over the six days, founders will develop their understanding of AI and its application within their businesses. They will also receive investor-readiness support and build relationships across the DIFC ecosystem.

Participants will engage with investors, venture capitalists, family offices, mentors and partners. The programme will end with a live investor showcase.

The programme forms part of TPDF’s wider international work connecting women across business, politics, investment and diplomacy.

The launch follows TPDF’s recent Women in Power roundtable at the United Nations in Geneva, where senior figures from politics, business, diplomacy and public life came together to examine barriers affecting women’s progress in enterprise and leadership and to discuss practical solutions.

Sharma said: “Our conversations in Geneva reinforced something very important: discussing the barriers facing women is not enough. We also have to build the pathways that help women overcome them. SHE Leads with AI is about turning dialogue into delivery.”

Figures published on 8 July in the government’s sixth annual progress report on the Investing in Women Code showed all-female founder teams received 2 per cent of total investment value across the wider market.

Among code signatories, the share was 6 per cent, up from 4 per cent in 2023, according to the British Business Bank. The bank said 32 per cent of venture capital investment from signatories went to teams with at least one female founder in 2025, up from 27 per cent in 2024, against 15 per cent of total equity investment across the wider market.

The Department for Business and Trade said more than 330 organisations had signed up to the code, up from 12 in 2019, and that the Invest in Women Taskforce had deployed more than £70m from its £635m funding pool in its first year. Signatories have outperformed the wider market in supporting female founders for six years in a row, according to the department.

In May, the British Business Bank committed an initial £1m to co-invest with Angel Academe in female-led businesses across the UK.

Amy Ingham

Amy Ingham is a reporter at Business Matters, covering UK business news with a focus on breaking news, business policy, late payments and insolvency. She joined the magazine in 2026 after completing the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism at Harlow College’s journalism school. Her recent reporting includes British Steel’s nationalisation and its impact on SME suppliers, the decline in late payments by large firms, and Insolvency Service director disqualifications. Reach her at aingham@cbmeg.co.uk.

Last week, the BSE benchmark Sensex climbed 404.53 points, or 0.51 per cent, and the NSE Nifty went up by 187.05 points, or 0.76 per cent.

“Markets ended the week with modest gains despite heightened volatility, as investors navigated the roll-out of the new Closing Auction Session (CAS) framework for F&O stocks, the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy decision, and lingering geopolitical uncertainties,” Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said.

From the top-10 pack, Reliance Industries, State Bank of India, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Larsen & Toubro were the gainers, while Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and Hindustan Unilever faced a combined erosion of Rs 1.23 lakh crore from their valuation.

State Bank of India added Rs 63,922.03 crore, taking its market valuation to Rs 10,11,721.84 crore.

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The valuation of Reliance Industries jumped Rs 32,816.4 crore to Rs 18,01,925.19 crore, and that of TCS surged Rs 31,875.35 crore to Rs 8,87,770.13 crore.
The market capitalisation (mcap) of Larsen & Toubro climbed Rs 14,637.76 crore to Rs 5,56,482.45 crore.However, the valuation of LIC tumbled Rs 40,543.23 crore to Rs 4,96,891.82 crore.

The mcap of Bajaj Finance eroded by Rs 37,168.96 crore to Rs 6,73,648.55 crore, and that of HDFC Bank dropped Rs 24,183.16 crore to Rs 11,27,967.47 crore.

The valuation of ICICI Bank declined by Rs 9,507.67 crore to Rs 10,20,370.63 crore, and that of Bharti Airtel eroded by Rs 7,581.65 crore to Rs 12,22,423.98 crore.

The mcap of Hindustan Unilever dipped by Rs 4,793.16 crore to Rs 4,88,808.97 crore.

Reliance Industries remained the most valued firm, followed by Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, TCS, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, LIC and Hindustan Unilever.

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Tourism bosses have formed an alliance to help market the county to visitors

A new tourist organisation has been established to help champion Cornwall’s visitor economy. The creation of Cornwall Visitor Alliance follows the the liquidation of Visit Cornwall – the county’s official tourist board – last year.

The alliance is a not-for-profit that was developed by bosses from Cornwall’s tourism and hospitality hospitality sector, and will be an “influential voice” for tourism in the Duchy, according to those behind it.

The organisation will focus on business-to-business activities including destination marketing and management, business representation, research and insight, strategic partnerships and advocacy, it said.

It is understood the organisation will use the term ‘Visit Cornwall’ for consumer-facing marketing. But the licence of the Visit Cornwall brand, and its respective assets, including the website, reverted back to owner Cornwall Council when the organisation collapsed in 2025.

Councillor Sarah Preece, Cornwall Council’s cabinet member for tourism, said: “We have reached an important milestone following months of productive collaboration between the council, private sector partners, and key stakeholders across our visitor economy.

“The Cornwall Visitor Alliance company can now begin its journey as a private organisation, leading the delivery of a sustainable and thriving visitor economy for Cornwall.”

Five Cornwall-based volunteer founding directors have been appointed to help launch Cornwall Visitor Alliance including: chair Katie Warren, founder of Fixer Property and Management; vice chair Laura Plum, marketing and communications director of St Austell Brewery; Veryan Palmer, family director of Headland Hotel; Andy Jasper, chief executive of Eden Project; and Patrick Langmaid, managing director of Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park.

Tim Fryer, who has headed up the project since April, has also been appointed as commercial director.

“Our ambition is to build an organisation that businesses genuinely feel belongs to them, one that listens, represents their interests and brings the sector together around a shared vision for Cornwall,” said Ms Warren.

“By working collaboratively, we can help ensure Cornwall remains a brilliant place to visit, while also being a great place to live, work and build a business. Our role will be to unite businesses and partners, strengthen Cornwall’s destination offer and ensure the visitor economy is represented in the decisions that shape its future.”

Cornwall Visitor Alliance is funded through membership, partnerships and commercial activity, with no reliance on the public sector, it said.

“Cornwall Visitor Alliance will be a constructive but independent voice,” added Mr Fryer. “We want decisions affecting the visitor economy to be based on evidence, with businesses and stakeholders widely consulted and genuinely listened to and with a clear understanding of the impact those decisions may have on businesses, employees, communities and visitors.

“Immediately following a launch event in the early autumn, we will set out details of membership options and strategic partnerships, alongside our plans and initial programme of marketing campaign activity.”

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Schwartz’s, one of Montreal’s most famous delis, has stopped serving the iconic US-made black cherry soda that has been a fixture at the restaurant for decades.

The sandwich shop had struggled to maintain supply of the cola for the last eight years as the distributor cut back production due to the rising cost of aluminium.

But it didn’t expect the cans to vanish permanently. Now it has switched to a locally-made version, which the venue’s customers have largely embraced.

Video by Eloise Alanna

The National League South side says the proposals will provide ‘a solid foundation’ for its future

Truro City Football Club has unveiled major plans to develop its stadium and surrounding grounds. The scheme – named the Milestone Project – will see capacity increased at Truro Community Stadium and a new clubhouse built.

Under the proposals, land around the ground will also be developed with new homes, a community centre, shops, food and drink outlets and a 3G pitch.

The current stadium site already has use of a 1,250-space car park that is operated by Cornwall Council under its park and ride scheme.

The National League South side is working with Truro-based developer LGV Property Holding on the plans, alongside Cornwall Council and Treveth Holdings.

The club said on Thursday (September 10) the plans have the potential to create a “durable, long-term income stream” for the club and its charity arm – Truro City Community Trust.

“Truro City is on a journey of continual improvement in everything we do,” said club chief executive Robin Karkeek.

“Part of that journey is the aspiration to provide a solid foundation for the club’s future success, both on the pitch and in the community.

“We have reached a real ‘Milestone’ opportunity for development in and around the Truro City Stadium site, that will underpin the needs of the club for future generations.

“We still have a long way to go, but with the continued support of fans, sponsors and stakeholders, working with Treveth Holdings and Cornwall Council we will get there. Truro City Football Club is an exciting place to be right now, and we are driven to succeed.”

The Cornish side moved into their new stadium in 2024 and won the National League South title after beating St Albans City 5-2 at the Truro Community Stadium last year.