The FinTech industry is thriving globally. In 2021, FinTech received investments of nearly $226 billion, a staggering sum that underscores the extraordinary strength of the market. An updated report by Harsh Goyal is due for publication in a matter of weeks, breaking down the dynamics that will shape the FinTech industry in years to come.

It's no exaggeration to say that the pandemic upended almost every aspect of society. The vital human impulse for togetherness was nipped and restrained as governments ordered citizens to stay inside. Businesses closed and entire industries suffered under the weight of restrictions, yet the global insurance market emerged relatively unscathed.

Photo courtesy of IMTS

IMTS is always an exciting weekend. Usually held once every two years, this year’s show comes after a hefty four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Naturally, the face of manufacturing has changed considerably since 2018, which meant the mood at IMTS 2022 was one of anticipation. Associate Director, Consulting Greg Johnson and Senior Account Manager, Joel Melvin were our nominated ears on the ground to watch industry leaders unveil innovative and transformative products.

To reach our plates, food must undergo vigorous testing. Food bodies must inspect and scrutinize freshness and pathogen levels before sealing our products with the stamp of approval. Contaminants and chemicals can sully our food at every stage of the chain. From harvesting to manufacturing to consumption, food is at considerable risk of contamination. While there’s no fail-safe way to guarantee safety, quality control helps. That’s why it’s such a critical aspect of the food industry.

Often overlooked, glass is of infinite value to humankind. So, when the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2022 as the International Year of Glass, it felt monumental. Glass, a humble material, finally gets the recognition it deserves.

The concept of the metaverse is not a new phenomenon: the term was first documented in Neal Stephenson’s science fiction novel Snow Crash, published in 1992. The novel outlined a 3D virtual world accessible through virtual reality display goggles, where individuals roam a cityscape as avatars. The term has circulated in sci-fi and gaming circles since, but it wasn’t until Mark Zuckerberg renamed Facebook to Meta in 2021 that the Metaverse became an immediate possibility .

Smart home tech is finally breaking into the mainstream. CCTV streams and automated energy controls are a few of the technologies revolutionizing homes. The main appeal of these technologies is the level of control they grant consumers. Given the global energy crisis, sky-high inflation, and the critical threat of climate change, increased popularity isn't exactly surprising.

IMTS is in full swing, which means manufacturing is taking centre stage over in Chicago. The team from BCC Research are on the show floor at IMTS, gaining valuable intel on the latest industry innovations. Today and tomorrow, they’re attending the Additive Manufacturing Conference. Here, they’re taking an applications-based look at the machines, materials and methodologies that are shaping the current manufacturing landscape.

The population is expanding. Cities are shooting upwards, and manmade materials now outweigh all life on earth. With big populations come big problems, to which we need big solutions. Enter: Big Science, the answer to some of humanity’s most pressing problems.