Darktrace's exit for the US rocks Britain's tech scene

Gathered in a meeting room at 10 Downing Street last Thursday afternoon were representatives from some of the world’s largest venture capital firms, including George Robson of the mighty Sequoia Capital.

Hosted by former Morgan Stanley banker Lord (Franck) Petitgas, who now advises Rishi Sunak on business and investment, they were there to brainstorm ideas for how the government could make the UK a more appealing place for start-ups, amid concerns that many are looking overseas for funding.

On the other side of town, in numerous offices across the City of London, a small army of advisers — bankers from Goldman Sachs and Jefferies, as well as lawyers and PRs — were readying themselves for an all-nighter.

At just after 8 o’clock the following morning,