Scale-Up Insights For SMEs

Are you a small business looking to grow? Read on for insights and advice from inspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders, developed exclusively for the small business community.

This article was originally published by WIRED UK

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Why Do Some Soccer Players Cut the Heels Off Their Cleats?

An image of Portugal forward Pedro Neto’s cleats at the World Cup has reignited a practice among some soccer players: modifying their cleats to relieve heel discomfort.

Jorge Garay

Meet the Battery Startup Taking on China’s Giants

Solid-state batteries are safer and more capable—but harder to mass-produce. They also represent an opportunity for non-Chinese companies to get back in the game.

Zeyi Yang

Meta’s Pursuit of the Careless People Author Is Relentless and Self-Defeating

Yes, Sarah Wynn-Williams violated her deal to stay silent. But the power disparity bolsters the view that Meta is a heartless bully.

Steven Levy

The 1X Neo Robot Has Freaky Fast Fingers

The soft, oddly intimate home-chore robot has been given some very tactile hands.

Boone Ashworth

Madison Square Garden Kept a List of Gay Celebrities

An MSG database tracked and categorized hundreds of celebs, famous Knicks superfans, and even some of Taylor Swift’s wedding guests. Labels included “LGBTQIA,” “DO NOT HOST,” and low to high “risk.”

Noah Shachtman

China’s Tianwen-2 Space Probe Has Rendezvoused With Earth’s Quasi-Moon

The probe sent back the first pictures of the asteroid Kamo’oalewa. Next step: landing on the surface and collecting samples to send back to Earth.

Ritsuko Kawai

Meta Now Lets Anyone Use Your Instagram Photos in AI Images—Unless You Opt Out

As part of Meta’s Muse Image model rollout, Instagram users with public accounts need to opt out to block AI generations of their content.

Reece Rogers

Exclusive: How Jay-Z Pulled Off a Surprise-Filled Show During New York’s Wildest Summer

Summer 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Jay-Z’s debut Reasonable Doubt. To honor it, he put on a massive concert at Yankee Stadium—complete with performances from Beyoncé, Nas, and Alicia Keys.

Angela Watercutter

Apple Is Suing OpenAI for Allegedly Stealing Hardware Secrets

The iPhone maker claims OpenAI encouraged poached employees to bring over confidential presentations, secret prototypes, and key supplier details.

Maxwell Zeff

DoorDash Promo Code: 50% Off for July 2026

Explore today’s top DoorDash promo codes for $25 off your first order, free delivery, and 50% off DashPass for students and select users.

Molly Higgins

OpenAI’s Head of Safety Is Leaving the Company

Johannes Heidecke’s departure comes as OpenAI tries to further integrate its research and safety teams.

Maxwell Zeff

The Science Behind Why Soccer Players at the 2026 World Cup Are Cutting Their Socks

Holes in socks have become a curious sight at this year’s World Cup. The reasons why are a weird mix of biomechanics, perception, and player habits.

Jorge Garay