Understanding the UK’s high-growth artificial intelligence companies

For the fourth instalment in our report series with Barclays Eagle Labs, we’ve done an in-depth analysis of the dynamic and rapidly changing artificial intelligence sector in the UK.

AI is more relevant now than ever, and its rapid evolution has been a significant driver of various company exits and substantial investment into the sector. This report examines the 1,797 active, high-growth AI companies in the UK. It delves into the geographical clusters that define the landscape of this industry, including the concentration of over 57% of these organisations within London.

Equity investment plays a vital role in fostering growth and supporting innovation in high-growth AI companies. In 2022 alone, these companies secured an unprecedented £3.21b in equity funding.

Download

Inside the report

Understanding AI companies — private funding 2012–2023

Understanding AI companies — mapping spinouts by region

About the authors

Henry Whorwood
Managing Director
Henry leads our Beauhurst Insights team, and is an expert on equity finance and high-growth business. He's worked on briefs for the likes of Barclays, SyndicateRoom, Innovate UK, Smith & Williamson and British Business Bank. He regularly gives presentations on market trends at events around the UK.
Daniel Robinson
Senior Research Manager
Daniel conducts data manipulation and analysis as part of the Research & Consultancy team. He has a background in business analysis and commercial copywriting in Australia and the UK, having worked at The Sunday Times Fast Track, Oxford University Press, and advertising network MullenLowe Group.
Freya Hyde
Senior Designer
Freya performs data visualisation and graphic design in the Research & Consultancy team. She has worked on projects for clients including Barclays, EY and JP Morgan. Freya holds a BA in History (International) from the University of Leeds, which included a year at Fudan University in Shanghai.
Advone Katsande
Graduate Associate
Advone writes copy, and performs data analysis and visualisation. She has written on the nature of Venture Capital Trusts, and worked on projects for Rawnet and Deloitte. She read Law at the University of East Anglia, where she acquired her undergraduate LLB.
Blanca Valencia
Graduate Associate
Blanca handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as copywriting. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Blanca graduated from Queen Mary University of London, where she was awarded a BSc in Computer Science with Management (ITMB).
Ethan Yip
Data analyst and visualisation specialist
Ethan carries out data analysis and visualisation. Before joining Beauhurst, Ethan graduated from the University of Bath, where he was awarded the degree of Master of Chemistry (MChem) and spent a year studying at the National University of Singapore.
Harry Walker
Graduate Associate
Harry conducts data analysis and visualisation. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Harry graduated from Loughborough University, where he was awarded a BSc in Economics, having also completed a Placement Year working in Risk Analysis at the Bank of England.
Bila Turay
Research Manager
Bila handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as project management. Before joining Beauhurst, Bila worked at an R&D Tax consultancy. She graduated from the University of Warwick with a Master of Chemistry (MChem).