In 2015, there was an expression of surprise that France had such a large presence at CES. This year, while there were 55 UK companies at the Las Vegas event, the French had 248.
One immediate question is how important is it for a UK start up to be at CES? Perhaps we should be more worried about the lack of UK start ups targeting the consumer sector. France, for example, has grasped the opportunity, with companies like Parrot developing a successful range of drones.
It’s been a matter of concern for some time that the UK seems unable to build a business of scale in the consumer electronics sector. Beyond that, concern remains about our ability to grow electronics companies of scale. With few exceptions, such companies – and their IP – have been acquired by foreign organisations. Debate continues about whether this is due to a fundamental lack of management ability, lack of ambition, the short term demands of investors, a combination of these factors or something else.
Yet you can’t accuse the Government of failing to support technology. The recent Autumn Statement by the Chancellor included further money for commercialising R&D, with the aim of creating a UK version of DARPA in the US.
Early stage support for commercialisation from the likes of Innovate UK was complemented for many years by UKTI – UK Trade and Investment. But UKTI is no more, replaced in July 2016 by the Department of International Trade (DIT) as part of the UK’s response to the Brexit referendum. You have to wonder whether a department which is looking to broker national trade deals is really going to be focused on the needs of a start up.
Shapiro is, obviously, interested in ‘viva CES’, if not viva Las Vegas, and maybe not ideally positioned to criticise the UK. But are we doing enough?
