British startups raised only £16.2 billion last year, significantly trailing the more than £65 billion raised by Silicon Valley firms, highlighting a troubling trend. As U.S. venture capital funding surged to 57% of the global total in 2024, UK founders express increasing concerns over the funding landscape. Some, like ElevenLabs co-founder Mati Staniszewski, have even relocated to Delaware to attract American investors. Cleo's CEO, Barney Hussey-Yeo, contemplates a permanent move to San Francisco, citing a lack of capital in the UK and an urgent need for change.