An early pioneer of innovation tries again to spin out its own ideas.
It seems odd for a business that describes itself as having "a track record of creating and developing start-up companies that is second to none, with just four of its spin-out businesses having a combined market capitalisation of almost £2 billion" to be claiming a revival in business creation, but that's how Cambridge Consultants bills its "plans to reactivate its spin-out business with the creation of a new venture fund".
Set up in 1960, when most academics still thought business was a dirty word, CCL, as we knew Cambridge Consultants Ltd, used to be one of the UK's most visible trailblazers in turning R&D into business opportunities. They were the people we turned to when wanting views on tech transfer and how to connect to universities.
CCL is, after all, on the Cambridge Science Park. And the business that brought us the round tea bag and beer can widgets, among other fine innovations, also spawned a number of emulators that have gone on to be even more famous.
Scientific Generics, the business engine of The Generics Group, comes to mind. It hasn't been an unqualified success, but the business somehow managed to outshine its progenitor.
Thin on new 'superstarts,' CCL does have a roster of successful spinouts, including CSR, which cooked up the chips in much of the bluetooth kit around us, and Xaar. But is has been quiet of late in the venturing business. Maybe the new fund, "created jointly by Cambridge Consultants and an investment partner" will be the tonic needed. They start, though, with modest ambitions "aiming to produce one spin-out every two years on average".
CCL is also backing the start up game with a new ‘start-up’ category for the annual Innovation in Engineering Awards of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. Make that the Institution of Engineering and Technology. They've just changed their name. But that's another story.
Set up in 1960, when most academics still thought business was a dirty word, CCL, as we knew Cambridge Consultants Ltd, used to be one of the UK's most visible trailblazers in turning R&D into business opportunities. They were the people we turned to when wanting views on tech transfer and how to connect to universities.
CCL is, after all, on the Cambridge Science Park. And the business that brought us the round tea bag and beer can widgets, among other fine innovations, also spawned a number of emulators that have gone on to be even more famous.
Scientific Generics, the business engine of The Generics Group, comes to mind. It hasn't been an unqualified success, but the business somehow managed to outshine its progenitor.
Thin on new 'superstarts,' CCL does have a roster of successful spinouts, including CSR, which cooked up the chips in much of the bluetooth kit around us, and Xaar. But is has been quiet of late in the venturing business. Maybe the new fund, "created jointly by Cambridge Consultants and an investment partner" will be the tonic needed. They start, though, with modest ambitions "aiming to produce one spin-out every two years on average".
CCL is also backing the start up game with a new ‘start-up’ category for the annual Innovation in Engineering Awards of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. Make that the Institution of Engineering and Technology. They've just changed their name. But that's another story.
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