Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) has announced a commitment of at least 拢100m to support spinout companies emerging from the University of Cambridge.聽
The funding, part of the firm鈥檚 new 拢250m Fund III, aims to unlock the commercial potential of cutting-edge research developed by the university鈥檚 academics and researchers.
The move aligns with a broader push from the University of Cambridge to create a more dynamic innovation ecosystem, including plans for a 4m sq ft high-tech development at Cambridge West and the opening of a central Innovation Hub to support startups and entrepreneurs.聽
It follows a record-breaking year for the university, which produced more spinout companies in 2024 than any other UK university and has created more unicorns than any other ecosystem in Europe.
鈥淚n 2024, the University of Cambridge created more spinout companies than any other university,鈥� said Dr Diarmuid O鈥橞rien, pro-vice-chancellor for innovation at the University of Cambridge.
鈥淚t has also produced the most unicorns of any European ecosystem and generates 拢23bn in economic interest linked to research and commercialisation each year.鈥�
鈥淲e are determined to do even more, and faster, through initiatives such as the new EIR programme and by attracting investment into our spinout companies working with partners like Cambridge Innovation Capital,鈥�
CIC is a venture capital investor in deep tech and life sciences, and will also launch a new Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) programme in partnership with the university.
The initiative will identify high-potential intellectual property and pair it with experienced operators from the deep tech and life sciences sectors – many of whom have led successful exits – to help academic founders take their research from lab to launch.
The company鈥檚 investment will offer companies formed through the EIR programme access to capital from inception through to proof-of-concept and early-stage growth.聽
Andrew Williamson, managing partner at CIC, added: 鈥淐ambridge is at the forefront of innovation in deep tech and life sciences.聽
鈥淥ur new EIR programme will provide academics and researchers with access to the 拢100m we are committing to University of Cambridge spinouts as they continue to develop breakthrough technologies.聽
鈥淭his expansion of CIC鈥檚 long-standing partnership with the University of Cambridge, which provides unique access to the university鈥檚 academics and research, will help support the UK鈥檚 economic growth by developing the next generation of world-class companies.鈥�