DeepMind Non-Compete Agreements Hinder UK AI Startups

NandoDF · x · 2026-08-15

A former Google DeepMind employee notes that, unlike California in the US, the UK office mandates garden leave agreements of 1 year for senior researchers and 6 months for junior staff. This severely hinders researchers leaving to start companies and slows hiring. The author urges the UK government to make garden leave a voluntary option to strengthen Europe's AI startup competitiveness.

Related event: DeepMind's Strict Non-Compete Deals Blamed for Holding Back UK AI Startups(2 posts)→

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