Lord Mandelson meets Isis spin-outs in Oxford

16th October 2009

Lord Mandelson, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, visited Oxford on October 16th, meeting Isis staff and representatives of Isis spin-outs.

Lord Mandelson talked about “Enterprise Led Recovery” and noted the increase in university spin-outs over the last decade; “many, I am pleased to say, from here in Oxford,” he said. He emphasised the importance of early stage finance in the commercialisation process, so that: “viable technologies get a shot where they otherwise stay on the drawing board.”

Oxford University Innovation managing director Tom Hockaday introduced Lord Mandelson to a number of Oxford spin-outs.

Lord Mandelson meets spin-outs.

The spin-outs included Oxford Catalysts, and Oxford Advanced Surfaces, which are both now AIM-listed companies. Oxford Gene Technology, Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Oxonica were also represented. The newest spinout present was Intelligent Sustainable Energy, which incorporated in 2008 to develop a smart metering device for household energy monitoring.

Sir Martin Wood and Lady Audrey Wood, who founded Oxford’s first spin-out company Oxford Instruments in 1959, were also present.

Oxford University Innovation works with inventors from Oxford to assist them in commercialising technology, including setting up new spinout companies.

The visit was arranged by the Oxford Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Said Business School.

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