States of Play podcast Episode 8: Tech Startups and the Geopolitical Challenge
Description
Show Summary
In this episode of States of Play, Sam Olsen is joined by Guy Ward-Jackson of the Tony Blair Institute to explore the critical challenge of scaling tech startups into global champions. As the world enters a new era of techno-nationalism—where national power is increasingly tied to technological prowess—the UK’s ability to grow and retain homegrown firms like DeepMind and Arm becomes central to its geopolitical and economic future.
Guy shares insights from the TBI’s report From Startup to Scale Up, identifying systemic weaknesses in capital mobilisation, university spinouts, and policy coordination. Together, they unpack why scaling matters for national prosperity, strategic autonomy, and global influence.
Here is the TBI paper: https://institute.global/insights/tech-and-digitalisation/from-startup-to-scaleup-turning-uk-innovation-into-prosperity-and-power
United States
