The policy voice of tech startups & scaleups in the UK.
United Kingdom
Joined December 2009
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📣 Today with @Founders_Forum we've published an open letter to Andy Burnham: Rebuild Britain.
It's signed by 100+ founders & investors who are clear that the next few years will make or break Britain as a tech power. We must:
Back founders on tax, investment and more
Unlock scaleup capital
Bulldoze "computer says no" regulation
Deliver procurement £ for British tech
Ensure tech talent in Government
We're ready to rebuild Britain. And want to work with anyone who wants to do it with us. 🇬🇧
Agree? Sign here 👇
rebuild-britain.com/
Startup Coalition retweeted
This is huge. Insane speed demonstrated by UK gov to execute techno-optimistic policy.
NON COMPETES BANNED
Today, the PM has announced that his Government will legislate to functionally ban non-compete agreements for startups and scaleups in the UK or as he called it - the Bosman ruling for ruling for the innovation sector' 😂
At the @StartupCltn been working on this for months and we think it’s a huge potential unlock for our tech ecosystem.
Here’s what you need to know…
- Measures to functionally ban non-competes for startups and scaleups in the UK are going to be set out.
- There will also be consultation on a wider set of restrictive practices including gardening leave.
- More detail on these plans at the budget in a few weeks (Wednesday 28th October) including a timetable for consultation with a view to legislation in the coming months.
We think this is a huge move and so do lots of friends including so many of the great founders that signed the letter with Inherent just the other week.
Why? Because talent matters and mobile talent means startups can build. The Valley was built on free-flowing talent. In the UK, we’re now seeing our own versions of this story with companies being built from alumni of both homegrown firms like Revolut and beyond. But we need that to move faster. Hiring and building faster means British startups and scaleups can grow faster. Barriers to that slow our ecosystem down.
We won’t pretend it will be perfect, and people (including some of our friends but also lots of fairly vested interests too) will have a right to disagree. But we think that startups will thrive and win in a faster paced Britain.
So we are delighted with the progress today - as part of a strong speech by the PM outlining his ambition for building the world’s leading innovation nation including more on tax, growing companies outside London and more. But this is the start, not the end of the process. The announcement launches a consultation. It doesn't mean the issue is settled. How far reform goes, and what it looks like on the ground, is still to be decided.
The Prime Minister today has done something that can materially impact the trajectory of the UK tech ecosystem and with it our economy - but only if we make sure it’s delivered. So, the real work starts now.
Startup Coalition retweeted
This is huge news.
It shows how effective the UK tech ecosystem can be when it rallies together.
Shout out to those who have been fighting to get this over the line or signed the open letter @Dom_Hallas, @inherent_labs, @MattEvantic, @mati, @vriparbelli, @ac_edwards_1, @DanAkarca, @_rockt
NON COMPETES BANNED
Today, the PM has announced that his Government will legislate to functionally ban non-compete agreements for startups and scaleups in the UK or as he called it - the Bosman ruling for ruling for the innovation sector' 😂
At the @StartupCltn been working on this for months and we think it’s a huge potential unlock for our tech ecosystem.
Here’s what you need to know…
- Measures to functionally ban non-competes for startups and scaleups in the UK are going to be set out.
- There will also be consultation on a wider set of restrictive practices including gardening leave.
- More detail on these plans at the budget in a few weeks (Wednesday 28th October) including a timetable for consultation with a view to legislation in the coming months.
We think this is a huge move and so do lots of friends including so many of the great founders that signed the letter with Inherent just the other week.
Why? Because talent matters and mobile talent means startups can build. The Valley was built on free-flowing talent. In the UK, we’re now seeing our own versions of this story with companies being built from alumni of both homegrown firms like Revolut and beyond. But we need that to move faster. Hiring and building faster means British startups and scaleups can grow faster. Barriers to that slow our ecosystem down.
We won’t pretend it will be perfect, and people (including some of our friends but also lots of fairly vested interests too) will have a right to disagree. But we think that startups will thrive and win in a faster paced Britain.
So we are delighted with the progress today - as part of a strong speech by the PM outlining his ambition for building the world’s leading innovation nation including more on tax, growing companies outside London and more. But this is the start, not the end of the process. The announcement launches a consultation. It doesn't mean the issue is settled. How far reform goes, and what it looks like on the ground, is still to be decided.
The Prime Minister today has done something that can materially impact the trajectory of the UK tech ecosystem and with it our economy - but only if we make sure it’s delivered. So, the real work starts now.
Startup Coalition retweeted
NON COMPETES BANNED
Today, the PM has announced that his Government will legislate to functionally ban non-compete agreements for startups and scaleups in the UK or as he called it - the Bosman ruling for ruling for the innovation sector' 😂
At the @StartupCltn been working on this for months and we think it’s a huge potential unlock for our tech ecosystem.
Here’s what you need to know…
- Measures to functionally ban non-competes for startups and scaleups in the UK are going to be set out.
- There will also be consultation on a wider set of restrictive practices including gardening leave.
- More detail on these plans at the budget in a few weeks (Wednesday 28th October) including a timetable for consultation with a view to legislation in the coming months.
We think this is a huge move and so do lots of friends including so many of the great founders that signed the letter with Inherent just the other week.
Why? Because talent matters and mobile talent means startups can build. The Valley was built on free-flowing talent. In the UK, we’re now seeing our own versions of this story with companies being built from alumni of both homegrown firms like Revolut and beyond. But we need that to move faster. Hiring and building faster means British startups and scaleups can grow faster. Barriers to that slow our ecosystem down.
We won’t pretend it will be perfect, and people (including some of our friends but also lots of fairly vested interests too) will have a right to disagree. But we think that startups will thrive and win in a faster paced Britain.
So we are delighted with the progress today - as part of a strong speech by the PM outlining his ambition for building the world’s leading innovation nation including more on tax, growing companies outside London and more. But this is the start, not the end of the process. The announcement launches a consultation. It doesn't mean the issue is settled. How far reform goes, and what it looks like on the ground, is still to be decided.
The Prime Minister today has done something that can materially impact the trajectory of the UK tech ecosystem and with it our economy - but only if we make sure it’s delivered. So, the real work starts now.
Startup Coalition retweeted
NEW PIECE FROM ME: AI & THE SUPER LEAGUE
The Westminster bubble has been aflame this week - courtesy of ‘the’ tweet from former Anthropic staffer Jacob Coxon.
But it isn’t tech development I thought of first when I heard about the cosy ai safety pact by Dario Amodei, Sam Altman and Elon Musk that came out. It’s football.
To be clear: safety matters. But whatever comes next a new AI top tier attempting to abolish promotion and relegation stitched up by a small group of American and Chinese labs is not in Britain’s national interest and certainly not in the interest of our tech ecosystem.
Especially when the big labs priorities are very clearly themselves and their view on AI safety first, America second and the rest of the world a very distant third.
I’ve written about why and what I think Britain should do.
startupcoalition.substack.co…
Startup Coalition retweeted
Entrepreneurship in the UK needs carrots not sticks and it’s great that the Government has ruled out moving forward with bonkers plans to levy an exit tax on spinouts and founders building with the backing UK research funding. Thanks to @jreynoldsMP and others for listening 👏
‘Exit tax’ on UK entrepreneurs ruled out by business department ft.trib.al/PyMs8pe
Startup Coalition retweeted
Today @startupcltn we're launching Buying British Innovation, a new report on fixing government procurement in the UK.
Why?
Increasingly in these past couple of years we’ve been hearing from founders about the need to fix public procurement. And with stories like the one today about Atos' new HMRC contract this is clearer than ever.
Of course, part of this is about backing British tech. But this isn’t just self-interest, it’s about what we miss out on by failing to take advantage of the very best tech from our ecosystem.
If we want to ensure that British public services can succeed in an age where our country is in a tricky spot of rising taxes and rising demand for great public services - British tech startups are absolutely part of the answer.
@andyburnham agrees. His new administration has already signalled their strong intent to reform public procurement, with priority placed on ‘Buying British’ to create jobs and drive local and national economic growth.
So we've built a playbook of asks such as:
😤 Properly tracking pre-procurement processes so we can make sure that contracts aren't stitched up before startups get a look in.
👩💻 Better processes around internal tech tools to stop Government replicatign what's already happening in the private sector but worse.
🤝 Instigating proper ‘Startup-Friendly’ terms & requirements as default for all government frameworks to stop great tech being frozen out.
🏆 Speeding up the process of departmental Procurement Innovation Champions announced last year.
And these asks are just the start - we're building Pipeline - our new programme to directly connect founders with the folks in government ready to buy. If you want info get in touch...
Startup Coalition retweeted
Great to be able to talk to the new PM @andyburnham just now in his first week. The big message - British tech startups and scaleups are smashing it. Let’s double down and make sure we can help grow the country too! 🇬🇧🚀
Startup Coalition retweeted
Good to be able to jump on with @jreynoldsMP to talk about what comes next as he comes back to the new DBIST. Hopefully the first of many constructive conversations to come.
Startup Coalition retweeted
🔥Feel the Burn-ham
Our @StartupCltn breakdown on another mad day in British politics as Andy takes charge.... DSIT gone, @KanishkaNarayan attending cabinet and everything else you need...
Check it out here... startupcoalition.substack.co…
In recent days, there have been strong rumours that the new administration will abolish @SciTechgovuk and scatter tech across Whitehall.
We've written to Andy Burnham with @techUK to say this is the wrong move at the wrong time.
Read our letter here 👇
Startup Coalition retweeted
Jonny is great and would do a great job at DBT. But changes to DSIT (which I’ve been getting calls about) would be a mistake. A mega department would mean British tech competing with British steel for attention. And waste 6 months reorg-ing when time is of the essence. Not good.
Jonathan Reynolds set to oversee beefed-up business department ft.trib.al/7qGWMW5
Startup Coalition retweeted
Just read a report from @JordanRSullivan of @StartupCltn that the 17 big UK Pension funds who signed up to the Mansion House accords to put more money into scaling tech startups and the innovation economy have an average allocation to unlisted equities of 0.36%. 😤😤
Startup Coalition retweeted
📣 Today with @Founders_Forum we've published an open letter to Andy Burnham: Rebuild Britain.
It's signed by 100+ founders & investors who are clear that the next few years will make or break Britain as a tech power. We must:
Back founders on tax, investment and more
Unlock scaleup capital
Bulldoze "computer says no" regulation
Deliver procurement £ for British tech
Ensure tech talent in Government
We're ready to rebuild Britain. And want to work with anyone who wants to do it with us. 🇬🇧
Agree? Sign here 👇
rebuild-britain.com/
Startup Coalition retweeted
Signed
📣 Today with @Founders_Forum we've published an open letter to Andy Burnham: Rebuild Britain.
It's signed by 100+ founders & investors who are clear that the next few years will make or break Britain as a tech power. We must:
Back founders on tax, investment and more
Unlock scaleup capital
Bulldoze "computer says no" regulation
Deliver procurement £ for British tech
Ensure tech talent in Government
We're ready to rebuild Britain. And want to work with anyone who wants to do it with us. 🇬🇧
Agree? Sign here 👇
rebuild-britain.com/
Startup Coalition retweeted
no time to waste
📣 Today with @Founders_Forum we've published an open letter to Andy Burnham: Rebuild Britain.
It's signed by 100+ founders & investors who are clear that the next few years will make or break Britain as a tech power. We must:
Back founders on tax, investment and more
Unlock scaleup capital
Bulldoze "computer says no" regulation
Deliver procurement £ for British tech
Ensure tech talent in Government
We're ready to rebuild Britain. And want to work with anyone who wants to do it with us. 🇬🇧
Agree? Sign here 👇
rebuild-britain.com/
Startup Coalition retweeted
I brought together @UK_ABHI @TechUK @BIVDA @BHTA @AXREM and @StartUpCltn to discuss potential of HealthTech SMEs.
Innovation is happening in every part of the UK. By backing SMEs, we can help them grow, create jobs and deliver technology that supports care for NHS patients.
Startup Coalition retweeted
Proud to sit on @leicesterliz Women in Tech Taskforce. Enormous thanks to all those who contributed to the call for evidence and the many conversations I've had 1:1 - so many powerful perspectives that will shape our work.
