Upside #25 - UK IPOs Rise, AI Opportunities Action Plan, A Jurassic Lark & White Hydrogen

In this episode, we dive into the future of London's IPO pipeline, the UK's ambitious AI opportunities action plan, and Colossal Biosciences' fascinating mission to resurrect extinct species like the woolly mammoth. We also explore the role of white hydrogen as a potential energy frontier and discuss Europe's rising share in global tech value. From market insights to groundbreaking technologies, this episode has something for everyone.

Key Topics

London’s IPO Revival

• 2024 marked the worst year for London IPOs, even below 2009 levels.
• Analysing the pipeline for 2025, featuring companies like Shein, Starling Bank, Zopa, and Ebury.
• Challenges: Lack of startups scaling to IPO status and low appetite for equities among pension investors.
• Historical context: 136 IPOs in 2014 vs. 6 in 2024.

The UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan

• Highlights of the government’s action plan for AI growth.
• Focus on scaling pilots nationally and creating datasets leveraging institutions like the BBC for data.
• Challenges: Addressing copyright rules, data funding, and fostering founder-friendly ecosystems.
• Insight on talent, funding, and tax hurdles.

Company of the Week: Colossal Biosciences

• The mission to bring back the woolly mammoth, Tasmanian tiger, and dodo bird using CRISPR gene-editing technology.
• Ethical and practical questions surrounding de-extinction and re-wilding.
• Implications for biodiversity and conservation.

A New Energy Frontier? White Hydrogen

• Could this be the next renewables frontier for startups?
• Exploring naturally occurring, renewable white hydrogen as a power source.
• Challenges in storage, transportation, and extraction.
• Potential game-changer in the global energy mix if scalable solutions emerge.

European Tech Growth

• Europe’s increasing share of global tech value, now at 18-19%. Up from 5% three decades ago.
• Insights from CEO Yoram Wijngaarde and Dealroom’s data on tech enterprise value creation since the 1990s.

Keywords
IPOs, London, AI Opportunities, Venture Capital, Regulatory Challenges, Tech Ecosystem, Government Policy, Investment, Infrastructure, Innovation, economic challenges, woolly mammoth, hydrogen energy, energy innovations, European tech, deep tech investment, political impact on technology

AI Summary
In this conversation, Dan, Mads and Andrew discuss the current state of IPOs in London, the challenges and opportunities within the regulatory framework, and the ambitious AI Opportunities Action Plan led by Keir Starmer. They emphasise the importance of government support, access to talent, and the need for a robust infrastructure to foster innovation in the UK tech ecosystem. The discussion highlights the necessity for policy changes to attract founders and investment, ultimately aiming to position the UK as a leader in AI and technology. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various innovative solutions to economic challenges, including the Mansion House compact and the need for a talent magnet in the UK. They explore the exciting yet controversial project of reviving extinct species like the woolly mammoth through gene editing. The discussion shifts to the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source, addressing its challenges and the need for strategic investment in energy. The speakers also highlight the growing tech landscape in Europe and the importance of deep tech investment, while reflecting on the political changes that may impact technology and innovation.