The Operator's Case for Sovereign AI

This session explores a new model for scaling frontier AI: government not as funder of last resort, but as a strategic partner in the company-building stack. Drawing on the UK’s £500m Sovereign AI Fund, which combines direct investment with R&D grants, compute access, procurement routes and cross-Whitehall navigation, as well as Prima Mente’s experience building AI for the molecular biology of the brain, this panel will examine what sovereign capability can practically offer ambitious founders. The conversation will offer unique insights into how the UK can turn national capability into startup advantage and help build companies with global consequence.