The UK startup sector is acting as a research and development (R&D) department for the US because so many of the country’s founders are upping sticks across the Atlantic to access capital, according to Alex Depledge, entrepreneurship advisor to UK finance minister Rachel Reeves.
Exclusive
October 9, 2025
UK startups are ‘underwriting American R&D’ says Reeves entrepreneurship advisor
Alex Depledge discussed the valley of death, removing red tape and the upcoming ‘budget for entrepreneurs’ at the Sifted Summit
3 min read
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Kai Nicol-Schwarz was a senior reporter at Sifted. He covered AI and UK tech.

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