The UK government has confirmed the first investment from its new flagship £500m Sovereign AI fund will go towards infrastructure startup Callosum.
The fund, unveiled this week by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the fund was launched as a way for the government to directly support the sector and drive a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Intended to operate more like a venture capital firm than a public funding body, the scheme will also provide firms with access to compute power, hands-on support and fast-tracked visa decisions to encourage international talent.
Callosum, founded by University of Cambridge scientists Danyal Akarca and Jascha Achterberg, as a way to tackle a potential AI monoculture that could come from the technology developing on the same chips from the same established companies.
Instead it is building “systems-level software” to allow AI models to work together across different chip architectures. The group raised £7.5m in February this year.
As well as Callosum, the government said six further startups will receive access to some of the UK’s “foremost supercomputing capacity through the unit”.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “We believe in Britain and we are betting on Britain. We are backing our brilliant innovators and entrepreneurs so we seize the benefits of AI to reshape Britain for the benefit of all.”
“Sovereign AI is unlike anything government has ever done before. Its unique approach will help break down the barriers that have too often held back British enterprise and innovation. This is how we ensure Britain’s economic prosperity and national security in the modern age.
“My message to British founders and innovators is clear – we will ensure you never have to choose between your ambition and your home, because Britain will give you both.”
The fund was announced by the minister at an event hosted by London-based AI company Wayve on Thursday evening.
“We have the right economic plan – backing business so the technologies of the future are invented, built and deployed here in Britain,” added Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
“A thriving domestic AI sector is one of my three big choices for the economy, and by supporting strategic national champions we can ensure internationally competitive companies start, scale and stay here in Britain.”
