The UK's 'invention agency', the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria), has pledged £50 million of taxpayer money to US tech companies and venture capital projects, according to an investigation by the Guardian and Democracy for Sale.
Aria's Funding Controversy
Conceived by Dominic Cummings to fund 'crazy' ideas and restore Britain's status as a scientific superpower, Aria has allocated over an eighth of its £400 million research and development budget over the past two years to 14 US tech firms and venture capital groups, with no clear return for the UK.
One recipient, Rain Neuromorphics, backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, was reported near collapse last year after receiving Aria funding. The company did not comment, and two founders appear to have left, though it continues delivering a project for Aria.
Expert Criticism
Cecilia Rikap, economics professor at University College London, stated: 'Disguised as promoting moonshot projects, the government is using taxpayer money to further expand the power of the US tech ecosystem.' She added that this is unsurprising from a government acting as 'big tech's footman'.
Chi Onwurah, chair of the Commons science and technology committee, said: 'These reports underline the need for stronger scrutiny of Aria. The Aria Act requires the organisation to benefit the UK, and it's unclear how funding US-based venture capital and tech firms meets these aims.'
Aria's Response
Aria defended its approach, stating: 'Our mission is to unlock breakthroughs that benefit the UK, which means funding the best ideas across universities, startups and private companies. Over 80% of our funding goes to UK-based teams, and where we fund international organisations, it is to transfer scientific capabilities to the UK with contractual protections.'
Transparency disclosures reveal £23 million to nine US tech firms, £6 million to Normal Computing (which established a UK presence weeks before receiving the grant), and £29.4 million to three US venture capital groups, including Pillar VC, which incorporated in the UK one day before receiving a £10.9 million contract.
Other Recipients
Other US firms include CIC Venture Cafe Global Institute (£5.4 million for UK 'venture cafes'), Fifty Years (£7 million for a 14-week course for scientists), and Renaissance Philanthropy (£13.3 million), backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, which incorporated in the UK shortly before funding.
Concerns Over Benefits
Normal Computing stated it reinvested approximately 150% of the award into the UK through salaries and operations. Fifty Years said it funded two UK programme companies. CIC emphasised its work benefits the UK innovation ecosystem.
However, Onwurah noted that Aria allocates only a small share of funding outside London and the south-east, with the West Midlands receiving just 0.8%. She said: 'It's disappointing to see substantial investment overseas whilst stark regional imbalances persist at home.'
Rikap warned that US tech companies are 'intellectual monopolies' that control data and knowledge within their ecosystems, despite co-producing research with universities and local firms.
