diff --git a/db/migrations/06_startup_updates.sql b/db/migrations/06_startup_updates.sql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4978875
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrations/06_startup_updates.sql
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+-- Migration: Add startup_updates table for founder progress reports
+CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS startup_updates (
+    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
+    startup_id INT NOT NULL,
+    founder_id INT NOT NULL,
+    title VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
+    content TEXT NOT NULL,
+    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
+    FOREIGN KEY (startup_id) REFERENCES startups(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
+    FOREIGN KEY (founder_id) REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE
+) ENGINE=InnoDB DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8mb4;
diff --git a/startup_details.php b/startup_details.php
index 145731c..5af3208 100644
--- a/startup_details.php
+++ b/startup_details.php
@@ -27,146 +27,188 @@ $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM funding_rounds WHERE startup_id = ? AND sta
 $stmt->execute([$startup_id]);
 $activeRound = $stmt->fetch();
 
-// Handle Founder Actions
+// Handle Actions
 $error = '';
 $success = '';
 
-if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST' && isset($_POST['action']) && $user['role'] === 'founder' && $startup['founder_id'] == $user_id) {
+if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST' && isset($_POST['action'])) {
     $action = $_POST['action'];
-    $round_id = isset($_POST['round_id']) ? (int)$_POST['round_id'] : 0;
 
-    if ($action === 'finish_round' && $activeRound && $activeRound['id'] == $round_id) {
-        $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE funding_rounds SET status = 'Closed' WHERE id = ?");
-        $stmt->execute([$round_id]);
-        $success = "Funding round finished early. No new investments allowed.";
-        $activeRound = null; // Refresh for UI
-    } elseif ($action === 'cancel_round' && $activeRound && $activeRound['id'] == $round_id) {
-        db()->beginTransaction();
-        try {
-            // 1. Cancel round
-            $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE funding_rounds SET status = 'Cancelled' WHERE id = ?");
+    // Founder Actions
+    if ($user['role'] === 'founder' && $startup['founder_id'] == $user_id) {
+        $round_id = isset($_POST['round_id']) ? (int)$_POST['round_id'] : 0;
+
+        if ($action === 'finish_round' && $activeRound && $activeRound['id'] == $round_id) {
+            $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE funding_rounds SET status = 'Closed' WHERE id = ?");
             $stmt->execute([$round_id]);
-            
-            // 2. Refund all investors for this round
-            $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM investments WHERE funding_round_id = ? AND status = 'approved'");
-            $stmt->execute([$round_id]);
-            $investmentsToRefund = $stmt->fetchAll();
-            
-            foreach ($investmentsToRefund as $inv) {
-                // Mark investment as refunded
-                $upd = db()->prepare("UPDATE investments SET status = 'Refunded' WHERE id = ?");
-                $upd->execute([$inv['id']]);
-                
-                // Notify investor
-                $notif = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, content) VALUES (?, ?)");
-                $notif->execute([$inv['investor_id'], "The funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " has been cancelled. Your investment of £" . number_format($inv['amount']) . " has been refunded."]);
-            }
-            
-            db()->commit();
-            $success = "Funding round cancelled and investors refunded.";
+            $success = "Funding round finished early. No new investments allowed.";
             $activeRound = null; // Refresh for UI
-        } catch (Exception $e) {
-            db()->rollBack();
-            $error = "Cancellation failed: " . $e->getMessage();
-        }
-    } elseif ($action === 'start_new_round') {
-        $newTarget = (float)($_POST['new_target'] ?? 0);
-        if ($newTarget < 50) {
-            $error = "Minimum target for a new round is £50.";
-        } elseif ($activeRound) {
-            $error = "An active round already exists.";
-        } else {
-            $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO funding_rounds (startup_id, funding_goal, status) VALUES (?, ?, 'Active')");
-            $stmt->execute([$startup_id, $newTarget]);
-            $success = "New funding round launched!";
-            // Refresh active round
-            $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM funding_rounds WHERE startup_id = ? AND status = 'Active' LIMIT 1");
-            $stmt->execute([$startup_id]);
-            $activeRound = $stmt->fetch();
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-// Handle Investment (Investor Only)
-if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] === 'POST' && isset($_POST['action']) && $_POST['action'] === 'invest') {
-    if ($user['role'] !== 'investor') {
-        $error = "Founders cannot make investments.";
-    } elseif (!$activeRound) {
-        $error = "There is no active funding round for this startup.";
-    } else {
-        $amount = (float)($_POST['amount'] ?? 0);
-        if ($amount < 50) {
-            $error = "Minimum investment is £50.";
-        } else {
+        } elseif ($action === 'cancel_round' && $activeRound && $activeRound['id'] == $round_id) {
             db()->beginTransaction();
             try {
-                // Use funding_round_id for the investment
-                $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO investments (investor_id, startup_id, funding_round_id, amount, status) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, 'approved')");
-                $stmt->execute([$_SESSION['user_id'], $startup_id, $activeRound['id'], $amount]);
+                // 1. Cancel round
+                $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE funding_rounds SET status = 'Cancelled' WHERE id = ?");
+                $stmt->execute([$round_id]);
                 
-                // Update funding_raised in funding_rounds (the dedicated pot)
-                $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE funding_rounds SET funding_raised = funding_raised + ? WHERE id = ?");
-                $stmt->execute([$amount, $activeRound['id']]);
+                // 2. Refund all investors for this round
+                $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM investments WHERE funding_round_id = ? AND status = 'approved'");
+                $stmt->execute([$round_id]);
+                $investmentsToRefund = $stmt->fetchAll();
                 
-                // Update legacy field for backward compatibility in listing pages if needed
-                $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE startups SET funding_raised = funding_raised + ? WHERE id = ?");
-                $stmt->execute([$amount, $startup_id]);
-                
-                $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, content) VALUES (?, ?)");
-                $stmt->execute([$startup['founder_id'], "New investment of £" . number_format($amount) . " in " . $startup['name'] . "!"]);
-                
-                // Check if goal reached for automated notification system
-                $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM funding_rounds WHERE id = ?");
-                $stmt->execute([$activeRound['id']]);
-                $updatedRound = $stmt->fetch();
-                
-                if ($updatedRound['funding_raised'] >= $updatedRound['funding_goal']) {
-                    // Update status to 'Closed'
-                    $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE funding_rounds SET status = 'Closed' WHERE id = ?");
-                    $stmt->execute([$updatedRound['id']]);
-
-                    // Notify Founder (DB)
-                    $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, content) VALUES (?, ?)");
-                    $stmt->execute([$startup['founder_id'], "Congratulations! The funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " has reached its goal of £" . number_format($updatedRound['funding_goal']) . "!"]);
-
-                    // Notify All Investors for this round (DB + Email)
-                    $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT DISTINCT u.id, u.email, u.full_name FROM investments i JOIN users u ON i.investor_id = u.id WHERE i.funding_round_id = ? AND i.status = 'approved'");
-                    $stmt->execute([$updatedRound['id']]);
-                    $investorsToNotify = $stmt->fetchAll();
-
-                    foreach ($investorsToNotify as $invUser) {
-                        // DB Notification
-                        $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, content) VALUES (?, ?)");
-                        $stmt->execute([$invUser['id'], "Great news! The funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " that you invested in has reached its goal!"]);
-                        
-                        // Email Notification
-                        $subject = "Funding Goal Reached for " . $startup['name'];
-                        $html = "<h1>Goal Reached!</h1><p>Hi " . htmlspecialchars($invUser['full_name']) . ", the funding round for <strong>" . htmlspecialchars($startup['name']) . "</strong> has successfully reached its goal. Thank you for being a part of this journey!</p>";
-                        $text = "Goal Reached! Hi " . $invUser['full_name'] . ", the funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " has successfully reached its goal. Thank you for being a part of this journey!";
-                        MailService::sendMail($invUser['email'], $subject, $html, $text);
-                    }
+                foreach ($investmentsToRefund as $inv) {
+                    // Mark investment as refunded
+                    $upd = db()->prepare("UPDATE investments SET status = 'Refunded' WHERE id = ?");
+                    $upd->execute([$inv['id']]);
                     
-                    // Email Founder
-                    $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT email, full_name FROM users WHERE id = ?");
-                    $stmt->execute([$startup['founder_id']]);
-                    $founderUser = $stmt->fetch();
-                    if ($founderUser) {
-                        $subject = "Funding Goal Reached: " . $startup['name'];
-                        $html = "<h1>Congratulations!</h1><p>Your funding round for <strong>" . htmlspecialchars($startup['name']) . "</strong> has reached its goal of £" . number_format($updatedRound['funding_goal']) . ".</p>";
-                        $text = "Congratulations! Your funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " has reached its goal of £" . number_format($updatedRound['funding_goal']) . ".";
-                        MailService::sendMail($founderUser['email'], $subject, $html, $text);
-                    }
+                    // Notify investor
+                    $notif = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, content) VALUES (?, ?)");
+                    $notif->execute([$inv['investor_id'], "The funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " has been cancelled. Your investment of £" . number_format($inv['amount']) . " has been refunded."]);
                 }
                 
                 db()->commit();
-                $success = "Investment successful! You've backed the current round.";
-                // Refresh active round data
-                $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM funding_rounds WHERE id = ?");
-                $stmt->execute([$activeRound['id']]);
-                $activeRound = $stmt->fetch();
+                $success = "Funding round cancelled and investors refunded.";
+                $activeRound = null; // Refresh for UI
             } catch (Exception $e) {
                 db()->rollBack();
-                $error = "Investment failed: " . $e->getMessage();
+                $error = "Cancellation failed: " . $e->getMessage();
+            }
+        } elseif ($action === 'start_new_round') {
+            $newTarget = (float)($_POST['new_target'] ?? 0);
+            if ($newTarget < 50) {
+                $error = "Minimum target for a new round is £50.";
+            } elseif ($activeRound) {
+                $error = "An active round already exists.";
+            } else {
+                $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO funding_rounds (startup_id, funding_goal, status) VALUES (?, ?, 'Active')");
+                $stmt->execute([$startup_id, $newTarget]);
+                $success = "New funding round launched!";
+                // Refresh active round
+                $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM funding_rounds WHERE startup_id = ? AND status = 'Active' LIMIT 1");
+                $stmt->execute([$startup_id]);
+                $activeRound = $stmt->fetch();
+            }
+        } elseif ($action === 'post_update') {
+            $title = trim($_POST['update_title'] ?? '');
+            $content = trim($_POST['update_content'] ?? '');
+
+            if (empty($title) || empty($content)) {
+                $error = "Update title and content are required.";
+            } else {
+                db()->beginTransaction();
+                try {
+                    // 1. Insert Update
+                    $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO startup_updates (startup_id, founder_id, title, content) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)");
+                    $stmt->execute([$startup_id, $user_id, $title, $content]);
+
+                    // 2. Identify All Unique Investors for this startup
+                    $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT DISTINCT u.id, u.email, u.full_name FROM investments i JOIN users u ON i.investor_id = u.id WHERE i.startup_id = ? AND i.status = 'approved'");
+                    $stmt->execute([$startup_id]);
+                    $investorsToNotify = $stmt->fetchAll();
+
+                    // 3. Notify them
+                    foreach ($investorsToNotify as $invUser) {
+                        // DB Notification
+                        $notif = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, content) VALUES (?, ?)");
+                        $notif->execute([$invUser['id'], "New progress update from " . $startup['name'] . ": " . $title]);
+
+                        // Email Notification
+                        $subject = "New Update: " . $startup['name'];
+                        $emailHtml = "<h1>New Update: " . htmlspecialchars($title) . "</h1><p>Hi " . htmlspecialchars($invUser['full_name']) . ", <strong>" . htmlspecialchars($startup['name']) . "</strong> has posted a new progress update:</p><hr><p>" . nl2br(htmlspecialchars($content)) . "</p>";
+                        $emailText = "New Update: " . $title . "\n\nHi " . $invUser['full_name'] . ", " . $startup['name'] . " has posted a new progress update: " . $content;
+                        MailService::sendMail($invUser['email'], $subject, $emailHtml, $emailText);
+                    }
+
+                    db()->commit();
+                    $success = "Update posted and " . count($investorsToNotify) . " investors notified.";
+                } catch (Exception $e) {
+                    db()->rollBack();
+                    $error = "Failed to post update: " . $e->getMessage();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Investor Actions
+    if ($action === 'invest') {
+        if ($user['role'] !== 'investor') {
+            $error = "Founders cannot make investments.";
+        } elseif (!$activeRound) {
+            $error = "There is no active funding round for this startup.";
+        } else {
+            $amount = (float)($_POST['amount'] ?? 0);
+            if ($amount < 50) {
+                $error = "Minimum investment is £50.";
+            } else {
+                db()->beginTransaction();
+                try {
+                    // Use funding_round_id for the investment
+                    $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO investments (investor_id, startup_id, funding_round_id, amount, status) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, 'approved')");
+                    $stmt->execute([$_SESSION['user_id'], $startup_id, $activeRound['id'], $amount]);
+                    
+                    // Update funding_raised in funding_rounds (the dedicated pot)
+                    $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE funding_rounds SET funding_raised = funding_raised + ? WHERE id = ?");
+                    $stmt->execute([$amount, $activeRound['id']]);
+                    
+                    // Update legacy field for backward compatibility in listing pages if needed
+                    $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE startups SET funding_raised = funding_raised + ? WHERE id = ?");
+                    $stmt->execute([$amount, $startup_id]);
+                    
+                    $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, content) VALUES (?, ?)");
+                    $stmt->execute([$startup['founder_id'], "New investment of £" . number_format($amount) . " in " . $startup['name'] . "!"]);
+                    
+                    // Check if goal reached for automated notification system
+                    $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM funding_rounds WHERE id = ?");
+                    $stmt->execute([$activeRound['id']]);
+                    $updatedRound = $stmt->fetch();
+                    
+                    if ($updatedRound['funding_raised'] >= $updatedRound['funding_goal']) {
+                        // Update status to 'Closed'
+                        $stmt = db()->prepare("UPDATE funding_rounds SET status = 'Closed' WHERE id = ?");
+                        $stmt->execute([$updatedRound['id']]);
+
+                        // Notify Founder (DB)
+                        $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, content) VALUES (?, ?)");
+                        $stmt->execute([$startup['founder_id'], "Congratulations! The funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " has reached its goal of £" . number_format($updatedRound['funding_goal']) . "!"]);
+
+                        // Notify All Investors for this round (DB + Email)
+                        $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT DISTINCT u.id, u.email, u.full_name FROM investments i JOIN users u ON i.investor_id = u.id WHERE i.funding_round_id = ? AND i.status = 'approved'");
+                        $stmt->execute([$updatedRound['id']]);
+                        $investorsToNotify = $stmt->fetchAll();
+
+                        foreach ($investorsToNotify as $invUser) {
+                            // DB Notification
+                            $stmt = db()->prepare("INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, content) VALUES (?, ?)");
+                            $stmt->execute([$invUser['id'], "Great news! The funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " that you invested in has reached its goal!"]);
+                            
+                            // Email Notification
+                            $subject = "Funding Goal Reached for " . $startup['name'];
+                            $html = "<h1>Goal Reached!</h1><p>Hi " . htmlspecialchars($invUser['full_name']) . ", the funding round for <strong>" . htmlspecialchars($startup['name']) . "</strong> has successfully reached its goal. Thank you for being a part of this journey!</p>";
+                            $text = "Goal Reached! Hi " . $invUser['full_name'] . ", the funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " has successfully reached its goal. Thank you for being a part of this journey!";
+                            MailService::sendMail($invUser['email'], $subject, $html, $text);
+                        }
+                        
+                        // Email Founder
+                        $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT email, full_name FROM users WHERE id = ?");
+                        $stmt->execute([$startup['founder_id']]);
+                        $founderUser = $stmt->fetch();
+                        if ($founderUser) {
+                            $subject = "Funding Goal Reached: " . $startup['name'];
+                            $html = "<h1>Congratulations!</h1><p>Your funding round for <strong>" . htmlspecialchars($startup['name']) . "</strong> has reached its goal of £" . number_format($updatedRound['funding_goal']) . ".</p>";
+                            $text = "Congratulations! Your funding round for " . $startup['name'] . " has reached its goal of £" . number_format($updatedRound['funding_goal']) . ".";
+                            MailService::sendMail($founderUser['email'], $subject, $html, $text);
+                        }
+                    }
+                    
+                    db()->commit();
+                    $success = "Investment successful! You've backed the current round.";
+                    // Refresh active round data
+                    $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM funding_rounds WHERE id = ?");
+                    $stmt->execute([$activeRound['id']]);
+                    $activeRound = $stmt->fetch();
+                } catch (Exception $e) {
+                    db()->rollBack();
+                    $error = "Investment failed: " . $e->getMessage();
+                }
             }
         }
     }
@@ -235,6 +277,55 @@ $platformName = defined('PLATFORM_NAME') ? PLATFORM_NAME : 'Gatsby';
                 <p style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; color: var(--text-secondary); white-space: pre-wrap;"><?= htmlspecialchars($startup['description']) ?></p>
             </section>
 
+            <!-- Public Updates Section -->
+            <section class="card" style="margin-bottom: 40px;">
+                <div style="display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 20px;">
+                    <h2 style="margin: 0;">Public Updates</h2>
+                    <?php if ($user['role'] === 'founder' && $startup['founder_id'] == $user_id): ?>
+                        <button class="btn btn-outline" onclick="document.getElementById('postUpdateForm').style.display='block'">Post Update</button>
+                    <?php endif; ?>
+                </div>
+
+                <?php if ($user['role'] === 'founder' && $startup['founder_id'] == $user_id): ?>
+                    <div id="postUpdateForm" style="display: none; background: #f8fafc; padding: 25px; border-radius: 15px; margin-bottom: 30px;">
+                        <h4 style="margin-top: 0;">New Progress Report</h4>
+                        <form method="POST">
+                            <input type="hidden" name="action" value="post_update">
+                            <div class="form-group" style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
+                                <label>Title</label>
+                                <input type="text" name="update_title" class="form-control" placeholder="e.g. Prototype Finished!" required>
+                            </div>
+                            <div class="form-group" style="margin-bottom: 15px;">
+                                <label>What's happening?</label>
+                                <textarea name="update_content" class="form-control" rows="5" placeholder="Share your progress with investors..." required></textarea>
+                            </div>
+                            <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Post & Notify Investors</button>
+                            <button type="button" class="btn btn-secondary" onclick="document.getElementById('postUpdateForm').style.display='none'">Cancel</button>
+                        </form>
+                    </div>
+                <?php endif; ?>
+
+                <?php
+                $stmt = db()->prepare("SELECT * FROM startup_updates WHERE startup_id = ? ORDER BY created_at DESC");
+                $stmt->execute([$startup_id]);
+                $updates = $stmt->fetchAll();
+                ?>
+
+                <?php if (empty($updates)): ?>
+                    <p style="color: var(--text-secondary); font-style: italic;">No updates have been posted yet.</p>
+                <?php else: ?>
+                    <?php foreach ($updates as $upd): ?>
+                        <div style="border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 25px; margin-bottom: 25px;">
+                            <h4 style="margin: 0 0 10px 0;"><?= htmlspecialchars($upd['title']) ?></h4>
+                            <div style="font-size: 13px; color: var(--text-secondary); margin-bottom: 15px;">
+                                <i class="fas fa-clock"></i> Posted on <?= date('M d, Y', strtotime($upd['created_at'])) ?>
+                            </div>
+                            <p style="color: var(--text-secondary); line-height: 1.6; white-space: pre-wrap;"><?= htmlspecialchars($upd['content']) ?></p>
+                        </div>
+                    <?php endforeach; ?>
+                <?php endif; ?>
+            </section>
+
             <?php if ($activeRound): ?>
                 <section class="card" style="border-left: 5px solid var(--primary);">
                     <h3 style="margin-top: 0;">Active Funding Round</h3>
@@ -345,7 +436,9 @@ $platformName = defined('PLATFORM_NAME') ? PLATFORM_NAME : 'Gatsby';
                         </div>
                         <div>
                             <div style="font-weight: 600;"><?= htmlspecialchars($founder['full_name']) ?></div>
-                            <div style="font-size: 13px; color: var(--text-secondary);"><?= htmlspecialchars($founder['university']) ?></div>
+                            <div style="font-size: 13px; color: var(--text-secondary);">
+                                <?= htmlspecialchars($founder['university']) ?>
+                            </div>
                         </div>
                     </div>
                     <a href="messages.php?user_id=<?= $founder['id'] ?>" class="btn btn-outline" style="width: 100%; text-align: center; display: block;">Send Message</a>
@@ -364,4 +457,4 @@ $platformName = defined('PLATFORM_NAME') ? PLATFORM_NAME : 'Gatsby';
 </footer>
 
 </body>
-</html>
\ No newline at end of file
+</html>