The Rest Is Money 242. Ignore the doomsayers - the UK is innovating
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Jan 12, 2026 Saul Klein, a venture capital investor and co-founder of Phoenix Court, dives into the UK's vibrant innovation economy. He argues that the UK is uniquely positioned with strengths in turning ideas into successful businesses, contrasting it with Silicon Valley's single-stakeholder approach. Klein discusses the potential of regions like Leeds and Manchester in producing scaled companies and emphasizes a 25-year opportunity for the UK to lead in innovation. He encourages a fact-based optimistic narrative, highlighting the UK's capabilities for future growth.
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UK Punches Above Its Weight
- The innovation economy means translating ideas into real-world businesses beyond just tech startups.
- The UK ranks third globally by key innovation metrics, behind the US and China, and outperforms most of Europe combined.
A 25-Year Window Of Opportunity
- The UK has a rare per-capita advantage in talent, science and universities that creates a 25-year opportunity.
- Saul Klein argues current UK values may suit sustainable innovation better than the recent American model.
Northern Cities Outperform Expectations
- Leeds and Manchester now host more high-growth 'cults' and 'thoroughbreds' than Oxford and Cambridge.
- Klein emphasises this success largely happened despite national policy, not because of it.
