The UK has over 5.5 million small and medium sized businesses. According to the Federation of Small Businesses, SMEs account for 99.9% of the UK business population and employ around 16.7 million people. Most of these businesses are running on a combination of manual processes, disconnected tools and software that was not designed for how they actually work.
Solve Studio builds custom AI automations, MVPs and web applications for startups and SMEs across the United Kingdom. We are based in Brighton and London but work remotely with businesses everywhere from Edinburgh to Exeter.
The State of AI Adoption in UK SMEs
Research from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology found that around 15% of UK businesses have adopted at least one AI technology, and that number is growing rapidly. The businesses gaining the most from AI are not the ones buying the most expensive tools. They are the ones identifying specific, high impact processes to automate and building solutions that fit their operations precisely.
That is the approach we take. We do not sell AI for the sake of it. We find the tasks where automation will deliver the clearest return and build solutions that work reliably from day one.
What We Offer UK Businesses
Our services cover the full spectrum of what growing businesses need from a technology partner. AI automation to eliminate repetitive manual work. MVP development to help founders validate ideas and build investor ready products. Web application development for businesses that need custom software. Systems integration to connect disconnected business tools. And AI consultancy to help you make smart decisions about which technologies to adopt.
Industries We Work With
Our experience spans finance, property technology, careers and recruitment, developer tools, e-commerce, professional services and energy. The common thread is businesses that have outgrown their current systems and need custom technology to support the next phase of growth. You can see examples of our work on our portfolio page.
Working Remotely across the UK
Most of our work happens remotely. We use video calls, shared project boards and regular progress updates to keep you informed and involved throughout the build. We have found that remote collaboration often works better than in person meetings because it is more focused and wastes less of your time. When face to face meetings are valuable, we make them happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work with businesses outside Brighton and London?
Yes. While we are based in Brighton and London, we work with businesses across the entire United Kingdom. Most of our collaboration happens remotely via video calls and shared project tools. Location does not affect the quality of what we deliver.
What is the average cost of AI automation for a UK SME?
AI automation costs for UK SMEs typically range from 2,000 pounds for a single workflow to 30,000 pounds for comprehensive multi system projects. The average project falls between 5,000 and 15,000 pounds. Most businesses see a return on investment within 2 to 4 months through time savings.
How long does it take to build an MVP in the UK?
MVP development typically takes 4 to 12 weeks. A focused product with core features can ship in as little as 4 weeks. More complex applications usually take 8 to 12 weeks. We work in short development cycles so you see progress weekly.
What industries do you work with?
We work across all industries. Our experience includes finance, property technology, careers and recruitment, developer tools, e-commerce, professional services and energy. The common thread is businesses that need custom technology to support growth.
Wherever you are in the UK, get in touch at james@solve-studio.co or call +44 7803 459 207.