A 67 strong delegation of UK businesses will promote the UK's technology sector to international buyers and investors today at the opening of CES, the world's largest consumer technology trade show in Las Vegas. The event, which takes place over 11 locations with nearly 200,000 attendees and 4,400 exhibitors, will see UK firms showcase Britain's world class technology sector and cutting-edge innovation to buyers on the global stage.
Businesses from across the UK will attend, including Speech Graphics from Edinburgh whose audio-based facial animation and lip sync technology has featured in video games including the newly launched Lara Croft video game, and technology firm Moodbeam from Hull, whose wearable device helps customers log their mood and monitor their emotional wellbeing on the go.
The UK Pavilion located at Eureka Park, CES' start-up stage, will fly the flag for British tech and host 20 British companies whose attendance the Department for International Trade (DIT) is supporting through the department's Tradeshow Access Programme.
British companies in the technology and automotive sectors are expected to sign millions of pounds of deals during the course of the week, which sees global tech giants such as Tesla and Google unveil their latest innovations, as well as unleash new products and tech start-ups to the world.
International Trade Minister Graham Stuart MP said:
The UK's tech sector is world-class. I am proud and excited to lead our delegation to CES, building on the success of last year and unleashing British technology to the world.
A global show like CES presents a huge opportunity for the British businesses we are supporting to attend, especially as we look to increase trading relations around the world.
Whilst here, I intend to spend my time championing our phenomenal tech sector to global investors and get deals over the line, to ensure our tech exports continue to boom.
Championing UK trade, the Minister will meet with business leaders to showcase the attractiveness of setting up technology companies in the UK.
The Minister will also meet with state governors from across the USA and the Secretary of State for Commerce Wilbur Ross throughout the course of the week to build further support for a future UK-USA trade deal.
Notes:
UK tech in numbers
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The UK leads Europe on investment in tech, with £28bn ($35bn) invested between 2013 and 2018, more than twice as much as France, Sweden or the Netherlands.
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According to Dealroom, UK start-ups raised £6.8 billion ($8.7bn) in 2018 and achieved more exits from venture-backed companies than any other European country.
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Inward investment to the UK AI Sector stood at £1bn ($1.3bn) for 2018, more than Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland combined.
Northern powerhouse delegation:
- The Northern Powerhouse is leading a mission of 13 startups to CES including Air Cards, Bolser, Boxmodel Digital, CGA Simulation, Innovatis Solutions, Myma.io, Mymanu, Nuuk Digital, Peratech, Swifty Scooters and Tubblog.
University of Southampton start-up launch
- The UK's Pavilion will see the launch of three new pioneering tech start-ups from the University of Southampton's startup accelerator, Future Worlds. One start-up will be revealed each day, spanning health tech, quantum technologies and cyber security, all offering solutions that tackle issues faced by society.
