Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
DSIT is a UK ministerial department formed in February 2023 that coordinates national science and technology policy. It funds and oversees programmes spanning AI, quantum, space, and digital inclusion, delivered via partner agencies including Innovate UK.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) does
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is a UK government ministerial department established in February 2023 following a cabinet reshuffle, replacing and expanding the science and technology functions of the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Its mandate is to coordinate cross-government policy in science, research, and technology with the stated objective of establishing the UK as a global science and technology superpower by 2030. DSIT's strategic focus areas are AI, quantum computing, engineering biology, space technology, advanced connectivity (5G/6G), and cyber security, and it is accountable to Parliament through the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. The UK Space Agency is set to merge into DSIT in April 2026, further consolidating national capability.
DSIT administers a portfolio of publicly funded programmes and initiatives rather than commercial products. Core offerings include the TechFirst Programme for technology career pathways, the £270 million Advanced Connectivity Technology (ACT) R&D Programme for 5G/6G and telecoms innovation (structured around R&D investment, lab access, spectrum management, and international standards collaboration), the Digital Inclusion Action Plan with an £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, the AI Growth Lab for AI regulatory sandboxes and pilots, the Women in Tech Initiative, the £8.6 million UK AI Factory Antenna at the University of Edinburgh, the CyberASAP cybersecurity startup accelerator (which has helped create 42 companies and raised approximately £47.4 million since 2017), and the National Renewal Package for AI. Delivery is executed through partner agencies and arms-length bodies including Innovate UK, the UK Space Agency, and EPSRC, alongside universities and major technology vendors.
DSIT does not generate commercial revenue and does not operate a pricing model; it is funded through annual parliamentary supply estimates from HM Treasury. Major funding commitments include the £370 million Science and Technology Framework announced at launch in March 2023, £500 million for national space programmes distributed across seven priority areas (in-orbit servicing, National Space Operations Centre, LEO connectivity, breakthrough technology, Unlocking Space Programme, space cluster development, and Scottish spaceport infrastructure), the £270 million ACT R&D programme, a £27 million AI alignment fund supporting around 60 projects, a £100 million advanced market commitment for UK AI hardware startups, and an AI Skills Boost initiative targeting upskilling of 10 million UK workers by 2030. Strategic partnerships with Cognizant, IBM, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Databricks support programme delivery rather than constitute a paying customer base. Marketing and outreach operate through government news releases, the GOV.UK platform, industry briefings with bodies such as techUK, and digital campaigns targeting inclusion and skills initiatives.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
- Legal name
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Website
- https://gov.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- DSIT is a UK ministerial department formed in February 2023 that coordinates national science and technology policy. It funds and oversees programmes spanning AI, quantum, space, and digital inclusion, delivered via partner agencies including Innovate UK.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Government Science and Technology Policy
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)
Keywords
Where Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DSIT is a UK government ministerial department that designs, funds, and oversees national programmes and policy frameworks in science, innovation, and technology. Its portfolio covers AI, quantum computing, engineering biology, space, advanced connectivity (5G/6G), cyber security, and digital inclusion, delivered through strategic funding initiatives, regulatory sandboxes, and partnerships with industry, academia, and delivery agencies such as Innovate UK and the UK Space Agency.
Product overview
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is a UK government department responsible for science, innovation, and technology policy. Rather than offering commercial products, DSIT administers various government programmes and initiatives including: the TechFirst Programme for technology career pathways; the Advanced Connectivity Technology (ACT) R&D Programme for 5G/6G innovation; the AI Growth Lab for AI regulatory sandboxes; the Digital Inclusion Action Plan for addressing digital exclusion; the Women in Tech Initiative for gender inclusion; the CyberASAP cybersecurity startup accelerator; and the UK AI Factory Antenna for AI adoption support. These programmes are funded initiatives aimed at advancing UK capabilities in science and technology rather than commercial product offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- TechFirst Programme
Quantifiable outcome
- Target to establish UK as global science and technology superpower by 2030
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- CognizantcoreCognizant appointed as strategic industry partner to DSIT's TechFirst programme, an initiative under the UK AI Opportunities Action Plan. Partnership aims to support over 4,000 graduates, researchers and innovators, reach one million secondary school students, and provide 100 work placements for students plus 1,000 volunteering hours in UK schools over four years. Builds on Cognizant's existing role as strategic partner to UK's national AI Skills Boost initiative targeting upskilling of 10 million UK workers with AI skills by 2030.
- IBMcorePartnership with IBM as part of UK government initiative to increase women's participation in the tech sector, including paid placements, competitions, and support schemes. IBM involvement includes efforts to encourage young girls' interest in technology alongside the Women in Tech Taskforce review of support methods.
- OpenAIcoreOpenAI providing backing for the UK's AI Security Institute (AISI) Alignment Project, which aims to improve AI safety and alignment. Part of £27 million government fund for AI alignment research supporting around 60 projects.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft providing backing for the UK's AI Security Institute (AISI) Alignment Project, supporting safe AI development. Part of £27 million government fund for AI alignment research.
- DatabrickscoreDatabricks announced plans to train 100,000 people in the UK over three years in generative AI and related skills. Initiative involves partnerships with government bodies and universities, including University Alliance Programme with over 40 UK and Ireland universities.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- UK Space Agency: UK national space agency that is being merged into DSIT in April 2026. Directly comparable as a UK government body funding civil space R&D, in-orbit servicing, and launch infrastructure, currently executing many of the programmes DSIT oversees.
- Innovate UK: UK innovation agency that delivers many of DSIT's technology programmes (e.g. ACT R&D, CyberASAP). Comparable as a publicly funded body that allocates grants and runs accelerators for UK technology commercialisation.
Broad incumbents
- DARPA: US Department of Defense agency that funds high-risk, high-reward R&D in AI, quantum, cyber, and space. Comparable to DSIT in mandate to advance strategic dual-use technologies through public funding, though operating at a different scale and under defence authority.
- US National Science Foundation (NSF): US federal agency funding non-medical science and engineering research. Comparable in role as a primary public funder of basic research and technology workforce development, including AI and quantum programmes with similar strategic framing to DSIT.
- European Commission DG CONNECT: European Commission directorate responsible for digital policy, including AI, 5G/6G, and cyber. Comparable as a supranational counterpart setting strategy and funding programmes across AI, advanced connectivity, and digital inclusion with similar themes to DSIT.
- German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF): Germany's federal ministry overseeing education, research, and technology innovation funding. Comparable as a national ministerial body running multi-billion-euro programmes in AI, quantum, and advanced technologies with comparable strategic framing to DSIT.
- US CHIPS Program Office (Department of Commerce): US office administering the $52.7B CHIPS and Science Act for semiconductor and advanced technology investment. Comparable as a recent large-scale US government programme deploying public capital into strategic technology capacity, including hardware-relevant initiatives that mirror DSIT's National Renewal Package.
Regional players
- French Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Innovation: France's national ministry overseeing higher education, research, and innovation policy. Comparable to DSIT in mandate, structure, and toolset (public funding, programmes, partnerships) but operating in a different national jurisdiction within the EU.
- Japan MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology): Japan's ministry responsible for science and technology policy, including AI, quantum, and advanced materials. Comparable to DSIT in running national S&T strategy with multi-year frameworks and large public R&D budgets.
- Singapore A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research): Singapore's public-sector R&D agency funding and conducting research in AI, advanced manufacturing, and biomedical sciences. Comparable to DSIT in mandate to translate public investment into national capability, though executed through a more agency-style model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) social profiles
Digital presenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments34 records
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Frequently asked questions about Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
What does Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) do?
DSIT is a UK government ministerial department that designs, funds, and oversees national programmes and policy frameworks in science, innovation, and technology. Its portfolio covers AI, quantum computing, engineering biology, space, advanced connectivity (5G/6G), cyber security, and digital inclusion, delivered through strategic funding initiatives, regulatory sandboxes, and partnerships with industry, academia, and delivery agencies such as Innovate UK and the UK Space Agency.
Is Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) a public or private company?
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) founded?
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) based?
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
Who are Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are UK Space Agency and Innovate UK. Broad incumbents are DARPA, US National Science Foundation (NSF), European Commission DG CONNECT, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and US CHIPS Program Office (Department of Commerce). Regional players are French Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Japan MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) and Singapore A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research).
Does Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
What industry is Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in?
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)'s product category is Government Science and Technology Policy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAEAL, Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7370.