Oxford and Cambridge spin-outs pitch to investors

19th May 2015

The first ever event for investors to learn about prospective spin-out companies from both the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge was held at the London Stock Exchange last week.

The presentations addressed markets from advanced display technology to a new treatment for glaucoma. Ventures featured included Quethera and Jukedeck from Cambridge, and Bodle Technology and Orbit Discovery from Oxford.

Professor Dame Carol Robinson, the first female Professor of Chemistry at both universities, delivered an inspiring keynote address that highlighted the need for more senior female academics and described her own discoveries with potential for commercialisation.

Dr Tony Raven and Tom Hockaday, CEOs of Cambridge Enterprise and Oxford University Innovation – the technology commercialisation companies of the two universities – welcomed the growing recognition in the investor community of the potential of university spin-outs and the world-class value creation that leading UK universities achieve.

Attendee Mark Pritchard, Executive Chairman at Allied Minds, said: “Despite the friendly rivalry, the inaugural combined Oxford and Cambridge technology showcase was a huge success, allowing early stage investors an insight into the great spin-out opportunities at both universities.”

Andrea Alunni, Head of New Venture Support & Funding at Oxford University Innovation and Anne Dobree, Head of Seed Funds at Cambridge Enterprise, said they would plan for the event to be a regular fixture in the calendars of Oxford University Innovation, Cambridge Enterprise and their investors.

Cambridge Enterprise and Oxford University Innovation assist over 3000 researchers with a combined research budget of over £1Bn. The fruits of this research, in discoveries and innovative technologies, are supported with translational funding of over £30m to progress new ventures to be ‘investor ready’. Four of these pitched at the event.

Oxford University Innovation and Cambridge Enterprise have formed more than 240 spin-outs and startups – 21 in the last year alone – that have raised more than £2Bn since 1975.

The event was sponsored by Parkwalk Advisors, which manages investment funds for both Cambridge Enterprise and Oxford University Innovation, offering individual investors an opportunity to be involved in the development of early-stage technologies, often with the benefits of EIS/SEIS tax exemptions.

 

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