Brexit vote: What the UK leaving the EU means for tech

The United Kingdom voters did it: Britain is now out of the European Union A survey of the UK's tech workers by Juniper Research has found that 65 percent think Brexit will have a negative impact on the global tech industry. Seven in ten of those who predict a negative outcome for tech also believe it would be harder for UK tech firms to attract and employ individuals from EU countries. The UK leads Europe's tech sector, with the country boasting 18 of the EU's 47 private tech companies valued at more than $1 billion, which are also known as unicorns. Nearly two-thirds of respondents to Juniper's survey said they think the tech industry would suffer as a result of reduced funding from the EU for the UK tech sector and that London would be less attractive as a tech hub.

A dissenting voice from the British tech industry is vacuum pioneer James Dyson. "When the remain campaign tells us no one will trade with us if we leave the EU, sorry, it's absolute cobblers," he said. Even the US tech giants, which haven't had the easiest time with EU regulators, are anti-Brexit. "We appreciate and respect that there are a range of reasons that motivate people on both sides of the debate, but as a business that is very committed to this country, our view is that the UK should remain in the EU," Microsoft wrote in an open letter back in May. Bill Gates, the company's co-founder, has also spoken out separately in favour of the UK remaining in Europe.