Mapping the UK Quantum Startups: A Data-Driven History
- Anke Lohmann
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 15
Anchored In has been surveying the UK Quantum Startup ecosystem since 2018. Explore its history and the impact.
What started as a collaborative effort to highlight the importance of startups in a disruptive technology sector has evolved into an essential tool for our shared UK quantum ecosystem and policymakers. This survey provides a crucial, data-driven look into our collective quantum startup landscape, revealing key trends and mapping our growth and change over time.
This post explores the origins of our UK Quantum Startup Survey, its impact on our innovation ecosystem, and what the latest data tells us about the future of quantum technology in the United Kingdom. We'll look at how this initiative has shaped funding, supported our entrepreneurs, and positioned the UK as a global leader in the quantum race.
The Origins of the UK Quantum Startup Survey
Our survey began not in a boardroom, but from a conversation between passionate people. In 2018, our founder, Anke Lohmann, spoke with Professor John Morton of UCL, a quantum startup founder himself. He was concerned that UK policymakers underestimated the significant contributions of our nation's quantum startups.
Drawing on her experience in the photonics sector, Anke proposed a straightforward solution: gather the data together. If our startups collectively compiled information on their investments and employee numbers, we could present a powerful, unified case. However, this data needed to be collected by a trusted, independent third party. With her extensive network from her time at the Knowledge Transfer Network (now Innovate UK Business Connect), Anke was perfectly positioned to take on this collaborative role.
Our first survey was simple but effective. Anke worked with her network to crowdsource information, compiling just enough data to demonstrate that private investment in UK quantum startups was substantial and comparable to that in established companies. The resulting infographic, though rough, sent a clear message from our community.
From Data to Action: Influencing Our UK Quantum Innovation
Our first infographic had an immediate impact. After it was shared with UK policymakers and key stakeholders, Innovate UK ( the UK's innovation agency) commissioned Anke to formally assess our UK quantum startups' needs.
Our comprehensive investigation provided vital insights into the UK's quantum ecosystem. The survey emphasised the importance of funding for feasibility projects, which generally last up to 18 months. This support would help early-stage companies secure their first private investment round, laying the foundation for their growth — many companies now substantial in size and recognised globally started through this route. The findings directly influenced the UK funding strategies and contributed to creating a more supportive environment for UK quantum innovation.
Tracking Our Quantum Industry Trends Since 2018
What started as a one-off project has become our continuous collaborative effort. Since that first survey, we at Anchored In have regularly updated the data with input from our ecosystem partners, creating a dynamic map of the UK quantum startup sector. This ongoing analysis allows us to track key quantum industry trends and developments together.
Our collaborative tracking has revealed:
Shared Company Growth: We have watched numerous startups mature from small teams into significant employers within our ecosystem.
Sector Dynamics: We've seen companies pivot their technological focus, adapt to market demands, and, in some cases, fade away.
Market Consolidation: Our survey has also captured acquisitions and mergers, reflecting the maturing industry.
The most rewarding part is seeing our infographics used by companies and stakeholders across our network to inform strategic decisions and guide policy. It has become a trusted resource for understanding the health and direction of our UK quantum ecosystem. Unlike some reports that rely on data scraping, we ensure that our data reflects real data and undergo a rigorous validation process.
The UK Quantum Ecosystem in a Global Context
The UK is not developing quantum technology in isolation. The global race to dominate the quantum landscape is accelerating, with nations like the United States, China, and EU member states investing billions. The UK's National Quantum Technologies Programme, backed by significant government and private funding, has successfully positioned our country as a world leader.
Our survey data helps to contextualise the UK's standing. It shows a vibrant ecosystem characterised by:
Strong University Spin-outs: A significant portion of our UK quantum startups originates from world-class university research, demonstrating a successful pipeline from lab to market.
Diverse Specialisations: Our UK shows strength across multiple quantum domains, including computing, communications, sensing, and imaging.
Growing Private Investment: While government funding has been crucial, the increasing flow of venture capital into our UK quantum startups signals strong market confidence in our ecosystem.
The Future of Our Survey and an Invitation to Collaborate
The quantum industry is constantly evolving, and so is our collaborative survey. We remain committed to engaging with our UK quantum companies to follow their progress, celebrate their successes, and understand their challenges together.
Our work is driven by collaboration. We always look for news, updates, and new businesses not yet in our network. If you are part of our quantum ecosystem or have something to share, we encourage you to get in touch. Your insights help us maintain an accurate and comprehensive picture of one of the UK's most exciting technology sectors.
So, if you have anything to share, please get in touch. We love to hear from you.
