Digital and Technologies
In 2023, the UK’s Digital and Technologies sector contributed an estimated £207 billion in gross value added and employed 2.6 million people.
Our ambitious vision is to make the UK, by 2035, one of the top three places in the world to create, invest in and scale-up a fast-growing technology business. We will support the next generation of start-ups and scale-ups, aiming to create the UK’s first trillion-dollar technology business by 2035.
To deliver this, we have targeted actions for each frontier technology area, including: Advanced Connectivity Technologies (ACT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, Engineering Biology, Quantum Technologies, and Semiconductors.
Why the UK for Digital and Technologies?
A digital and tech powerhouse
The UK has the third most valuable technology ecosystem in the world and the most valuable in Europe, currently valued at nearly £1 trillion. The UK’s technology ecosystem has created over 160 unicorns and ranks third globally for VC investment.
World-class talent
We are launching the Global Talent Fund to bring world class researchers and their teams to the UK, plus a new Global Talent Taskforce focused on attracting international specialists that the sector needs to grow.
Government commitment
We will nurture the UK’s Digital and Technologies economy responsible for building our sovereign capability in the most strategically important areas, £670 million to drive the development and adoption of quantum computers in the UK, £500 million delivered through the Sovereign AI Unit, and a new programme of AI Growth Zones.
Why invest in UK AI?
Between 2021 and 2024, AI firms in London raised £6.7 billion in venture capital, making it the third largest global cluster for venture capital investment
The UK’s cyber security industry is already world leading, generating £13.2 billion in revenue and contributing £7.8 billion in GVA in 2023-24.10 Cyber security exports grew from £4.1 billion in 2020 to £7.2 billion in 2023
The UK has strengths in compound semiconductors, semiconductor design, IP and R&D. The UK semiconductor industry generated £9.6 billion in revenue and contributed £7.4 billion in GVA
Expand Your Business
Start your journey now
This free online service provides businesses with immediate access to tailored information and support, including:
- • Step-by-step guidance through the practical steps to setting up a UK company
- • Overview of funding, grants and financial incentives available to overseas businesses
- • Market intelligence on UK locations and salary benchmarking
- • Information on events and networks relevant to the business sector and industry
- • Guidance on how to globally scale your business from the UK and access export advice once established in the UK
Last updated: