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Oxford University retains top spot for spinout generation in the UK

11:01 19 April in News, Oxfordshire by admin

Oxford University has been ranked first in the UK for turning academic research into spinout companies, according to a new report, sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Since 2011, a total of 193 spinouts have been identified emerging from Oxford University, ahead of Cambridge University in second place with 137, with Imperial College London and University College London ranked third and fourth, with 106 and 88 spinouts respectively.     Oxford was also found to have the most active cluster for spinouts, with 90 such firms based in the City of Oxford alone. Many of these are have been successful in finding solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the world today. Areas of innovation include sustainable transport, green energy, poverty alleviation, and medical diagnostics.

The report comes after several record-breaking years for innovation in Oxford, tracked by the University’s commercialisation arm, Oxford University Innovation (OUI). Through OUI, the University created 31 new companies during the 2020/21 academic year, bolstered by the University’s support for social ventures.   OUI’s own analysis indicates that Oxford’s output is one of the highest in the world over the period, second only to ETH Zurich in Switzerland. Investment levels are also at their highest on record, with Oxford companies securing over £1bn in external investment over 2020/21.

Oxford University and its partners have established a scientific start-up ecosystem that rivals anywhere in the world and is rightly proud to be playing a significant part in nurturing this ecosystem, working with brilliant people to transform world-leading science and innovation into world-leading enterprises of the future.

Professor Chas Bountra, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at Oxford University, said: “Already moving at pace, our innovation ecosystem is rapidly snowballing into something much larger. We are tracking more students, researchers and faculty getting involved than ever before. The University and its partners are building stronger links with industry and investment communities, attracting more support and larger investment rounds. We are building more space for innovation in the city, such as the redevelopment of the Clarendon Centre (a £200 million redevelopment of Oxford’s Clarendon Shopping Centre will include 30,000 sq.ft. of labs and offices in the heart of Oxford) into a spinout hub. Through this accelerating momentum, the University and its community of innovators and entrepreneurs are able to respond to the biggest crises of the day and deliver technological advancement which has a meaningful and positive impact on society.”

Phil Southall, President of the Oxfordshire Local Chamber, commented “This is an exceptional achievement for the University, OUI, and all those across the maturing Oxford cluster.  We welcome the Universities determination to do ‘University-based innovation better’ to help solve some of the most challenging problems we face today,  make a positive impact in the real world and improve lives globally. We encourage their continued focus on its sustainable plan for reinvestment in the next generation of innovators and ongoing work to create an innovation community that attracts and supports diversity at all levels.”

Read More HERE.