Digital and Technologies

The UK has one of the most dynamic and innovative technology ecosystems in the world, with major technological breakthroughs in agentic AI, powerful new AI models, and advances towards reliable quantum processing underlining the critical importance of building the UK's strategic technological capabilities.

The Digital and Technologies Sector Plan sets a 2035 ambition for the UK to be one of the top three places in the world to create, invest in, and scale a fast-growing technology business, and to secure the UK's first trillion-dollar technology company.

What this means in practice:

  • Nearly £4 billion UKRI investment in frontier technologies between now and 2029/30, covering AI, quantum, semiconductors, cyber security, advanced connectivity, and engineering biology.
  • Five AI Growth Zones live in North Wales, South Wales, Lanarkshire, the North East, and Oxfordshire – generating £28.2 billion in investment and creating more than 15,000 jobs.
  • £8.2 billion investment by DataVita and CoreWeave in North Lanarkshire, supporting 3,400+ high-value jobs in purpose-built AI infrastructure powered by Scotland's green electricity grid.
  • £750 million backing for the Edinburgh Supercomputer – the UK's largest – putting Scotland at the heart of the next great industrial leap through AI and technology.
  • £1 billion to procure large-scale quantum computers by the early 2030s, with the UK the first country in the world to roll out quantum computers at scale; British Business Bank invested £40 million in Quantum Motion as part of a $160 million Series C round.
  • £1.1 billion AI Hardware Plan to boost Britain's ability to develop, deploy, and scale AI technologies and chips.
  • £500 million Sovereign AI venture fund launched to give AI start-ups the capital and resources to scale.
  • Five Digital Technical Excellence Colleges announced to train the next generation of highly-skilled tech workers.

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Charlotte Ridley CEO Memorify

"The Industrial Strategy’s focus on AI, innovation and access to growth capital has helped Memorify turn our ambitions into reality. Support from Innovate UK has enabled us to accelerate the development of our technology, strengthen our foundations for growth and build valuable British-owned IP. Most importantly, it has given us the confidence and opportunity to scale our ambitions globally while building Memorify’s headquarters, team and long-term future here in Britain.”

Sector Plan

The Digital and Technologies Sector Plan sets out the joined-up decisions government is making on R&D investment, frontier technologies, skills, regulation and growth finance — giving technology businesses the stability they need to make long-term decisions.

Sector Planopens assets.publishing.service.gov.uk in a new tab
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A targeted mix of support for the sector

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Investment support

For high-growth technology firms through a £4 billion Industrial Strategy Growth Capital programme - helping businesses start, scale and secure private investment.

British Business Bankopens www.british-business-bank.co.uk in a new tab
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AI Growth Zones

Sites combining streamlined planning, priority grid access and the infrastructure needed for large-scale AI investment. The programme will generate £28.2 billion in investment and create more than 15,000 jobs.

Find out moreopens www.gov.uk in a new tab
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Innovate UK

Funding competitions and innovation partnerships to support technology firms from early-stage research through to commercial scale-up, with a particular focus on frontier technologies.

Visit Innovate UKopens www.ukri.org in a new tab
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UK Export Finance (UKEF)

Helping UK technology businesses compete and win in global markets, supporting exporters to seize large-scale international opportunities.

Discover moreopens www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk in a new tab

Support to grow your business:

Access a broad package of support designed to help businesses scale more quickly, at lower cost, and with greater ease, including

  • • Step-by-step guidance through the practical steps to scale your business
  • • Overview of funding, grants and financial incentives available
  • • Information on events and networks relevant to the business sector and industry

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