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King Charles meets with US tech leaders, talks startup challenges
Charles discussed startup funding gaps with U.S. executives after companies including Microsoft, Nvidia and Google pledged 31 billion pounds in Britain.
On Tuesday, King Charles III met with U.S. tech leaders in Washington, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Alphabet President Ruth Porat, to discuss startup funding challenges during his four-day state visit.
The meeting follows a September announcement during President Donald Trump's UK visit that Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, and OpenAI pledged 31 billion pounds in British investments for AI, quantum computing, and civil nuclear energy.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos recounted struggling to raise $1 million in 1995, noting 40 investors rejected his $50,000 requests. King Charles compared these rejections to publishers passing on the Harry Potter books.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the need for a "vibrant VC ecosystem and a startup culture" to support AI and quantum robotics opportunities. Charles noted university spin-offs face a "terrible valley of death" in securing funding.
Joking that the executives were "deadly competitors," Charles noted those who rejected Amazon are likely "kicking themselves." The meeting strengthened cross-border innovation and investment ties between the UK and the technology sector.