- Tech Minister announces £10 million fund to boost UK
semiconductor innovation from lab to market
- Investment supports British companies developing computer
chip technologies central to our national security and powering
everyday products like phones and cars
- Funding helps UK's strongest companies to compete in a global
market worth hundreds of billions, supporting growth through the
government's Plan for Change
People across the country will benefit from smarter, more secure
technology in their everyday lives thanks to a £10 million
investment in British semiconductors announced by Tech Minister
today (Wednesday 24
September).
The investment is expected to support up to 40 British businesses
in accelerating development of the tiny computer chips that are
central to powering everything from smartphones and cars to
medical devices and renewable energy systems.
With the UK semiconductor sector on track to grow by 75% by 2030,
funding will be targeted at boosting areas where the UK is
strongest, to turbocharge investment from around the world and
compete in a global market worth hundreds of billions of pounds.
Companies to benefit from the Innovate UK fund include Paragraf
Limited, which develops highly energy-efficient semiconductor
devices using graphene technology. These advanced devices could
help mobile phone batteries last longer and reduce energy
consumption in cars, aircraft, and defence systems.
The technology underpins critical national infrastructure, from
secure communications and defence systems to satellites and cyber
security, making UK semiconductor innovation vital for national
resilience.
Tech Minister, said:
There is immense potential in the UK semiconductors sector. By
investing in its growth, we will build on our country's
strengths, setting ourselves apart in a highly competitive market
to unlock new skilled jobs at home and boost our economy.
We're backing Britain's businesses with the support they need to
thrive, helping turn world-class research into major advancements
such as more efficient mobile phones and TVs – making life easier
for people right across the UK.
Meanwhile, Silicon Microgravity Limited will create
matchbox-sized navigation devices that can work without relying
on satellite signals. These devices will be used in wearable
technology such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, as well as
industrial robots, providing the UK with critical capabilities in
navigation technology that strengthens our independence from
international systems.
The fund will provide these companies with access to specialist,
ultra-clean semiconductor manufacturing facilities, technical
expertise, and business mentoring to help translate their
innovations into commercial products.
These projects build on established UK strengths in cutting-edge
semiconductor research and navigation technologies.
Across the UK, firms such as Pragmatic in Durham and Cambridge,
Vishay and KLA in Newport, and Paragraf in Cambridgeshire are
driving innovation in cutting edge technologies from flexible
electronics and graphene-based devices to power semiconductors
and advanced manufacturing. The UK's largest tech company, Arm,
is a global leader in chip design, demonstrating how UK expertise
can drive the next generation of semiconductor breakthroughs.
Minister Narayan will announce the funding at the
Microelectronics UK Conference, where international industry
leaders and government representatives will gather to advance
collaboration and innovation in this strategically important
sector for our economies.
This investment will strengthen Britain's capabilities in
advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies, while
building the domestic semiconductor expertise essential for
economic growth and national resilience in an increasingly
digital world. It will directly support the
government's Industrial
Strategy and Plan for
Change mission to fuel economic growth.
The announcement reinforces the UK's commitment to building
sovereign capabilities in semiconductors, reducing vulnerability
to supply chain disruptions whilst creating high-skilled jobs and
export opportunities in a sector that will be fundamental to
Britain's future economic success.
Iain Mauchline, Head of Semiconductors, Innovate UK, said:
This funding being delivered by Innovate UK (through
the Technology Missions Fund and DSIT) is
for diverse projects, all developing cutting-edge
semiconductor innovations that are fundamental for the
UK and our frontier technology areas.
We're pleased to provide support for these innovative companies
who are using semiconductors as the key enabling
technology to make a difference across
a vast range of industries.
