AI ascendency
Unlocking access to the UK’s thriving tech market
With the UK Government’s Unicorn Kingdom: Pathfinder Awards (UKPAs) open to applicants, one business shares how integrating into the country’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem has had profound consequences for their development and growth.
Valued at over £15.6 billion, the UK's AI market has emerged as a global leader. From bettering healthcare outcomes to building smarter cities, the 3000+ businesses in this sector are redefining the possibilities of technology—shaping how we live, work, and interact.
What sets the UK apart is not just the scale of its tech industry but also the favourable environment it offers AI businesses. Agile regulatory frameworks, robust infrastructure, and strategic networking have all laid the groundwork for the UK to become the 3rd most populated AI market globally.
Now the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is looking to unearth and showcase the most promising companies in the tech industry. Following the success of their Tech Rocketship Awards, DBT has now launched a global successor, the UKPAs, which promise to nurture the world’s most talented scaleups within the UK’s AI ecosystem.
THE UK’S AI SECTOR AT A GLANCE*
*Statistics from AI Sector Study, 2023 and National AI Study, 2021
ENBIOSIS
One company that has expanded their business as a result of the Tech Rocketship Awards is ENBIOSIS. Founded in 2021, ENBIOSIS’s mission is to revolutionise AI-powered personalised gut health solutions by harnessing big data analytics and AI algorithms.
"ENBIOSIS Biotechnology is dedicated to unravelling the complexity of the gut microbiome and its impact on human well-being and diseases,” says Ömer Özkan, Founder of ENBIOSIS. “Our clinically proven, cloud-based SaaS product offers microbiome analysis results, personalised nutrition guidance including personalised foods, meals, and supplement recommendations for patients with GI disorders, especially those with IBS.”
The 2021 launch of ENBIOSIS coincided with a pivotal moment in the UK's AI evolution. DBT had recently established the AI Council, an independent expert committee that provided advice to the government, and high-level leadership on AI policy. In the two years since its inception, the UK AI sector has grown five-fold, bringing in £10.6 billion in revenue.
“There was a surge in AI adoption, fuelled by advancements in technology, increasing data availability, and a supportive business environment,” Özkan reflects. “The timing felt right for launching ENBIOSIS because we observed an increasing demand for AI-driven innovation coupled with a gap in the market.”
“Participating in the Tech Rocketship Awards allowed us to swiftly understand the startup ecosystem and connect with organisations dedicated to guiding startups,” Özkan recalls. “Winning the awards made our company more credible to potential partners interested in our technology.”
ENBIOSIS’ win catapulted the business into the spotlight, enhancing its credibility and access within the global AI landscape. Now, Özkan is urging scaleups to enter its successor—the Unicorn Kingdom: Pathfinder Awards.
"The UK is an ideal location for taking your business global, thanks to its unique dynamics, welcoming environment, and, most importantly, its vision,” he reiterates. “Securing such an award not only integrates you more quickly into this community but also boosts your confidence, especially when operating on a global scale.”
UKPA winners will receive a tailor-made development programme, which includes VIP meetings with industry and government specialists, support from the Global Entrepreneur Programme, and exposure through DBT promotional activities. This will equip businesses with the resources and support they need to access funding, forge partnerships, and navigate regulatory frameworks.
With categories covering AI, Cyber Security, Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Technology, and Digital Trade Solutions (DTS), all eligible businesses are encouraged to enter and seize the opportunity to expand their operations and shape the future of technology. Applications for the Unicorn Kingdom: Pathfinder Awards are open from 1 March to 30 April 2024.
