Global technology leaders Coinbase, Fabric Ventures, Animoca Brands and Founders Factory have announced the launch of a multi-million pound accelerator in the United Kingdom, aimed at transforming the nation's blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem.
The new initiative seeks to unlock product-market fit and growth for the next generation of technology disruptors, driving investment in startups and reinforcing technology as a key engine of the UK economy. As institutions and jurisdictions around the world accelerate the adoption of AI, blockchain and digital assets, the United Kingdom is uniquely positioned to compete in the global innovation race.
"With deep reservoirs of talent, capital, sophisticated regulators and leading academic institutions, the UK is well positioned to benefit from these opportunities. However, ensuring that these products and services are born out of the UK is vital. For too long, access to capital, mentorship and resources has held back this ambition. This significant investment changes that," Keith Grose, UK Chief Executive Officer of Coinbase, said.
Confidence in UK tech sector
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds welcomed the announcement, describing it as "a strong vote of confidence in the UK's tech sector - underlining our position as a global leader in innovation." He added: "Not only will it ensure that the UK remains a key leader in blockchain technology but will also unlock growth as we deliver on the Plan for Change. Our modern Industrial Strategy has highlighted financial and professional services as key growth sectors for the UK to thrive in, showing that we are listening and responding to the needs of Fintech businesses – whether that's on access to talent, finance, or the wider regulatory environment."
The accelerator will be delivered by Founders Factory, a globally recognised start-up accelerator, offering world-class training across business strategy, go-to-market execution, product development, and fundraising. Fabric Ventures, Animoca Brands and Coinbase will also provide specialist support in tokenomics, community strategies, and best practices for scaling businesses in blockchain and AI.
"It is critical that the UK takes advantage of the opportunity of the fast–growing Web3 industry, not just as a hub for investment but as a place where innovation is built, owned, and scaled. The UK must be a creator, not just a consumer, of this innovation. The real opportunity lies in developing it here, building intellectual property that leverages the world-class talent base and ecosystem in the UK," Robby Yung, Chief Executive Officer of Investments at Animoca Brands, said:
UK Economic growth
The Labour Government’s broader vision for economic growth is closely tied to the success of the technology sector. The accelerator is viewed as a key step towards supporting diverse founders across blockchain-based payments, entertainment, AI and other emerging industries.
Co-founder and Managing Partner of Fabric Ventures, Richard Muirhead, commented: "This Government's AI Action Plan has been met with widespread optimism. However, this is only one piece of the puzzle. The convergence of AI, blockchain and Web3 plays to the UK's strengths in these disciplines - and fostering collaboration amongst our strong industries like financial services, advertising and pharmaceuticals is essential for the UK to maintain its leadership in the global digital race. This accelerator will play a key role in driving that progress."
Damian Routley, Chief Operating Officer at Founders Factory, added: "This is about leveling up the UK's ability to build and scale frontier technology. Founders in blockchain and AI need more than capital — they need hands-on, specialised support to unlock product-market fit and go global. That's what this accelerator delivers. By combining deeptech expertise with the power of a world-class network, we're creating a launchpad for the next generation of breakthrough UK startups."