Off the back of London Tech Week, Seven Hills BPI Associate Director, Matic Boh, reflects on the UK tech sector’s growing confidence, its broadening ecosystem, and why belief in the story we tell matters more than ever.
London Tech Week is always a good moment to take stock – of the progress our tech sector has made, the direction we’re headed, and the potential that lies ahead.
Excitingly, this year felt different – bigger, bolder, more confident.
The UK tech sector has long been known for its innovation. But this week, it made something clear: we’re not just participating in the global tech economy – we’re helping to lead it.
Nonetheless, too often our national conversation still defaults to doubt. Stories around companies choosing to list elsewhere, for example, can quickly become shorthand for a wider narrative of missed opportunity or retreat.
As Baroness Gustafsson, Minister of State for Investment, remarked at the Investor Forum this week: “the only country that is negative about the UK, is… the UK!”
Those words from the Minister spoke volumes. Not as a critique, but as a reminder of just how much there is to be proud of in the UK tech scene – and that we shouldn’t shy away from doing so.
A thriving, confident ecosystem
We’ve built world-leading businesses — from DeepMind and Revolut to Improbable, Monzo, and others that have scaled globally, attracted top-tier capital, and shown that UK innovation can compete and lead on the world stage.
What’s even more exciting is the next generation of founders. Many are backed by experienced entrepreneurs from companies like Wise, Checkout.com, and Skype, creating a positive flywheel of talent, experience, and investment.
This deepening of the ecosystem is a sign of real maturity – and real momentum.
And it’s being recognised at the highest levels. Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, called the UK a “centre of excellence” in AI. The Prime Minister opening London Tech Week wasn’t just symbolic — it was a statement of intent. Technology is no longer a side story; it’s central to the UK’s economic and global strategy.
For years, we’ve measured ourselves against Silicon Valley. But this week made one thing clear: the UK doesn’t need to be “the next” anything. We’re building something unique – on our own terms.
Our strengths are distinctive. A globally connected market, world-class universities, a strong policy framework, and a growing community of founders, funders, and talent ready to build what’s next.
If London Tech Week showed us anything, it’s that belief matters. It fuels momentum, attracts talent, drives investment, and builds resilience.
So yes, we should celebrate. Not just this week, but the direction of travel. UK tech has the momentum, the ambition, and perhaps most importantly, it has a growing sense of confidence.
Because when we believe in what we’re building – others will too.