UK Tech Companies Look West
A Long History of UK Businesses Expanding to the US
The expansion of UK companies into the United States has deep historical roots, beginning with early financial and industrial leaders such as Barclays, Lloyd’s, and Rolls-Royce. Post-World War II, the close economic ties between the two countries led to further investment, particularly from large consumer and energy firms including Unilever and BP. From the 1980s onwards, globalisation, deregulation, and growth in the finance and technology sectors accelerated this trend. Today, the US remains the leading destination for UK companies seeking growth opportunities — a continuation of a long-established pattern that our latest data supports.
Where do we get our data?
When companies use our free investment search engine, they share information about their growth plans. This allows them to find investors interested in their domain at no cost, whilst giving us valuable insights into emerging technology companies. We analysed this data to understand where UK-based tech companies are looking to expand.
Key Findings
The US Dominates UK Expansion Plans
The US is the top expansion destination for the UK-based tech companies that have used shipshape.vc and indicated that they plan to expand abroad. In the period between January 2024 and September 2025, 74.3% of all companies that have used shipshape.vc expressed a desire to expand to the US. This is significantly ahead of the next most popular expansion destination, the EU, to which 50.5% of UK-based tech companies want to expand.
Political Changes Have Had Minimal Impact
The past year has brought political changes, including a new administration, tariffs and changes to the H1-B visa. To investigate whether these have had an impact on UK company expansion plans, we have been analysing the data month-by-month. Our findings indicate that UK company interest in US expansion has remained high.
Our September data show that UK company interest in US expansion had increased to 80%, from 77.78% in the prior month.
Whilst we continue to monitor these trends, the US clearly remains the top destination for UK-based tech companies.
UK Companies Are Developing Cutting-Edge Technologies
The companies planning US expansion are working on innovations across diverse sectors. One business offers AI solutions for faster cancer diagnosis by eliminating the need for multiple lab-based tests. Another has developed technology to treat chronic wounds more efficiently. Others include a company specialising in AI-powered 3D printing software and one that has created a wearable hydration sensor enabling athletes to optimise performance and improve recovery.
These businesses have significant potential, and their expansion to the US could be one way in which they achieve profound future impact.
