The UK's 'invention agency', the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria), has committed £50 million of public funds to US technology companies and venture capital initiatives. Conceived by Dominic Cummings to support 'crazy' scientific ideas, Aria aims to restore Britain's status as a scientific superpower.
Investigation Findings
A joint investigation by the Guardian and Democracy for Sale reveals that over one-eighth of Aria's £400 million research and development budget over the past two years has been allocated to 14 US tech firms and venture capital groups, often with unclear returns for the UK. Among these is Rain Neuromorphics, backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, which was reportedly near collapse last year after receiving Aria funding. Two of its founders appear to have left, but the company is still delivering a project for Aria.
Expert Criticism
Cecilia Rikap, economics professor at University College London, stated: 'Disguised as promoting moonshot projects, the government is using taxpayer money to further expand the power of the US tech ecosystem.' Chi Onwurah, chair of the Commons science and technology committee, emphasized the need for stronger scrutiny, noting that Aria's funding must benefit the UK through economic growth, scientific innovation, or improved quality of life.
Funding Breakdown
Transparency disclosures show Aria spent £23 million on nine US tech firms, £6 million on Normal Computing (which established a UK presence weeks before receiving the grant), and £29.4 million on three US venture capital groups, including Pillar VC. Pillar incorporated in the UK one day before receiving a £10.9 million contract. Renaissance Philanthropy, backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, also incorporated in the UK shortly before receiving £13.3 million.
Responses from Funded Companies
Normal Computing stated that building a UK presence was a contractual condition and that it reinvested approximately 150% of the award value back into the UK. Fifty Years, which received £7 million to run a 14-week course for scientists, said the partnership enabled it to bring its programme to the UK. CIC Venture Cafe Global Institute, receiving £5.4 million for 'venture cafes', emphasized that primary beneficiaries are UK taxpayers.
Concerns Over Transparency
Aria was controversially exempt from freedom of information laws and initially published no details about grantees. It remains unclear if strict guidelines limit funding to non-UK businesses. A recent report by the environmental group ETC described Aria as bringing Silicon Valley's ethos to disrupt the British science establishment. Many funded US companies are early-stage ventures with powerful backers like Y Combinator and the National Science Foundation.
Uncertain Benefits
Aria's standard approach is not to take shares or intellectual property rights, but it requires royalty fees on IP commercialised outside the UK. MorphoAI, one recipient, stated that over 50% of its employees are now UK-based. Onwurah noted that Aria allocates only a small share of funding outside London and the south-east, with the West Midlands receiving just 0.8%, raising concerns about regional imbalances.
