Investment in UK AI companies reached $9.6 billion (£7.1bn) in the first half of 2026, according to new data from Tracxn Technologies, representing a surge in funding compared to the last year.

Funding in the first half of 2026 was up 360% compared to the same period of 2025, and up 284% half-to-half.

Despite this massive rise in funding, it represents a concentration of high-yield deals rather than an increase in rounds. The number of rounds actually fell compared to the 74 seen in the first half of last year, staying at 69, the same as the previous half.

The top five biggest deals in AI actually accounted for 84% of the total amount raised, with big hitters like Isomorphic Labs, Wayve, and Nscale ammasssing a combined $5.3bn.

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Funding maintained its London-centric pattern in the first half of 2026, with the capital accounting for 98% of all funding, climbing from its 93% monopoly in the second half of 2025. Following far behind was Oxford with $103m, Cambridge $18.3m, Edinburgh amassing $16.1m, and Milton Keynes with $12m.