Government announces new investment to support up to 40 British businesses accelerate the development of essential computer chips
Tech Minister Kanishka Narayan has announced new funding of £10m from Innovate UK to support up to 40 British businesses working in semiconductors.
Photo by Laura Ockel / Unsplash
These computer chips are, of course, essential components in everything from smartphones and cars to medical devices and renewable energy systems. According to government estimates, the UK semiconductor industry is expected to grow by 75% by 2030. To achieve this, the newly announced funding is to be targeted at boosting areas in which the UK is strongest, so as to increase investment from around the world and compete in the global market.
Among the companies to benefit from the new funding is Paragraf Limited, an electronics firm based in Somersham, Huntingdon, that develops highly energy-efficient semiconductor devices based on graphene. Its proprietary ‘graphene growth process’ and other work in progress could lead to longer-lasting mobile phone batteries and reduced energy consumption by cars, aircraft, and defence systems.
Another company, Silicon Microgravity Limited in Cambridge, will use the new funding to support work creating matchbox-sized navigation devices that don’t rely on signals from satellites. These can then be used in wearable technology such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, as well as industrial robots. The aim is to provide critical capabilities in navigation technology that strengthens UK independence from international systems.
The new funding will ensure that these innovative companies, and others like them, can access specialist, ultra-clean semiconductor manufacturing facilities, technical expertise, and business mentoring, all helping to translate their innovations into commercial products.
Other companies to benefit include Pragmatic in Durham and Cambridge, Vishay and KLA in Newport, and the UK’s largest tech company, Arm – which is a global leader in chip design.
Kanishka Narayan MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), says: ‘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.’
Iain Mauchline, Head of Semiconductors as Innovate UK, adds: ‘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.’
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