Is the UK over?

These are the top 3 things that attendees should take away from the session:

1. The UK is not over. While it is true that the UK is smaller than the US in terms of overall venture capital investment, it remains a formidable hub for venture capital. In 2023, investment in UK venture-backed businesses reached £8 billion, underscoring the sector's resilience and growth potential. The UK holds a leading position in Europe, with over 750 venture-backed companies generating more than $25 million annually. The UK remains a hub for driving innovation with several sectors leading the charge.
2. To improve the UK venture capital ecosystem, key strategies will include encouraging greater pension fund investment in venture capital, streamlining and simplifying access to government support schemes like the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), identifying certain opportunities that may have been overlooked by the new US administration such as cleantech, fostering diversity within the industry, promoting regional investment beyond London, and actively facilitating connections between promising startups and relevant investors through initiatives like mentorship programs and industry events.
3. From a legal structuring perspective, companies commonly adopt several approaches to enter the US market. One option is to set up in the US from the outset by incorporating a US entity. Alternatively, companies may establish a US subsidiary to expand operations or sales while maintaining their UK base. Another strategy is the "Delaware flip," where a UK company creates a US parent company and makes the UK entity a subsidiary, which can help facilitate access to US investors and capital markets. Finally, entering into strategic partnerships with US-based companies can also be an effective way to enter the market.