A new analysis of the UK’s university spin-out scene argues the country lags the EU when funding early-stage technology development
Photo credits: mr. Smith / BigStock
A new review of the UK’s university spin-out system says the country hugely underinvests in proof-of-concept funding for new ideas emerging from labs, and recommends the creation of a £100 million fund to plug the gap.
The analysis, commissioned by the country’s main public funder, UK Research and Innovation, comes however at a time of strained science budgets and university finances, which could limit the country’s ability to reform its system.
The UK’s university spin-out scene is generally seen as ahead of that in the EU. The country is second only to the US when it comes to raising money from venture capitalists, for example. However, the UK has lost ground in some metrics, and can’t rest on its laurels, the report, Deepening University-Investor Links, says.
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