Tech Minister Kanishka Narayan has announced a £10 million investment to strengthen the UK semiconductor sector, aiming to move innovation from laboratories to the market. The initiative will benefit up to 40 British companies developing advanced computer chip technologies that power everyday items such as smartphones, cars, medical devices, and renewable energy systems.
The funding will focus on areas where the UK has existing strengths, supporting growth in a sector projected to expand by 75% by 2030. This will allow British businesses to compete in a global market worth hundreds of billions, while also helping to attract further international investment.
Among the companies to benefit is Paragraf Limited, which uses graphene technology to produce energy-efficient semiconductor devices. These innovations could extend mobile phone battery life and reduce energy consumption across transport and defence systems. Similarly, Silicon Microgravity Limited will develop compact navigation devices that do not rely on satellite signals, enhancing wearable technology, robotics, and national independence in navigation systems.
The investment package includes access to specialist manufacturing facilities, technical expertise, and business mentoring. It builds on the UK’s established reputation for research and innovation in semiconductors, with firms like Pragmatic, Vishay, KLA, and Arm already leading in flexible electronics, chip design, and advanced manufacturing.
Minister Narayan announced the funding at the Microelectronics UK Conference, highlighting its importance for advancing international collaboration in this strategically critical sector. He emphasised that semiconductors underpin critical national infrastructure, including secure communications, satellites, and cybersecurity, making them essential for both economic growth and national resilience.
The initiative aligns with the government’s Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change, aimed at fuelling economic growth, building sovereign capabilities, reducing supply chain vulnerabilities, and creating high-skilled jobs. According to Innovate UK, the funding will drive diverse projects that position semiconductors as a key enabling technology for frontier industries across the UK.
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