TAIU
UK Innovation Zones

Semiconductors in the UK

The UK's semiconductor strength is in compound semiconductors, IP and design rather than volume fabrication, concentrated in South Wales, Cambridge, Bristol and the Central Belt.

See this on the map →
Companies
10
Investors
9
Universities
5
Research centres
1
Facilities
2

Where UK strength is concentrated

Major clusters

  • Cambridge

    Research density, silicon IP and life sciences at unusual concentration

  • Bristol & Bath

    Semiconductor design, robotics, aerospace and quantum in one small geography

  • Glasgow & the Central Belt

    Satellite manufacturing, photonics, quantum and advanced manufacturing

  • Cardiff & South Wales

    Compound semiconductors, steel and materials, and broadcast production

Emerging & supporting clusters

    Research, infrastructure and capital

    Universities & research

    Compound semiconductor research centres, university fabrication cleanrooms and design research groups.

    Investment

    Corporate investment and public capital dominate; venture funding is limited by fabrication cost.

    Government support

    Compound semiconductor capability in South Wales is supported through place-based programmes.

    Organisations working in this area

    UKIZ perspective

    Research centres (1)

    Infrastructure (2)

    Accelerators (0)

    • No accelerator recorded yet.

    Design and IP strength without ownership retention is the recurring pattern. UKIZ proposes a route that keeps the value chain anchored in Britain.

    Ecosystem directory

    Who funds, builds and researches this in Britain.

    Investors (9)

    Companies (10)

    Universities (5)

    Directory last verified: 15 August 2026

    Explore the whole ecosystem →Who invests in what? →

    Related proposed zones

    Proposed by UKIZ · not a government designation

    Sources

    Methodology →