LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Will we become Silicon Valley?

[Re: Can Rishi Sunak’s science superpower dreams become reality?, March 6]

Chatter persists around whether the UK’s technology sector is evolving quickly enough to rival Silicon Valley, with the industry calling out for additional government support. All eyes will rightly be on the Chancellor during the budget next week to see what funding is being allocated for the sector. With the end of Tech Nation, the UK startup scene needs this support more than ever. While the recent launch of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology demonstrates some level of commitment, the UK tech sector needs an organisation like Tech Nation now more than ever. Innovation remains consistently high, but entrepreneurs and startup leaders need support to help guide them on how to tackle the issues facing them. The government could seek alternative methods to investment; instead bringing in a ‘Tech Ambassador’. An experienced, passionate and confident ambassador could help draw the gaze of wealthy private equity and venture capitalists from around the world and support the UK in producing the future unicorns currently crying out for substantial investment. With the change in investor focus moving away from Silicon Valley’s “growth at all costs” mantra, the UK’s profitable & scalable startups are in a great position to welcome this new, mature style of investment capital. Governments have for years spoken positively about their ambition to make the UK tech sector a world leader, seeking to supplant even Silicon Valley. This ambition is not unfounded. With the Spring Budget around the corner, now is the time to put those words to work.

Mike Rhodes