Investment firm Cambridge Innovation Capital pledges £100 million towards university startups stemming from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge Launches New Entrepreneurship Programme to Boost Spinout Companies
The University of Cambridge is taking strides to commercialize its research and innovation, with the launch of a new Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) programme in partnership with Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC). The programme aims to identify intellectual property (IP) with commercial potential and support the development of the next generation of world-class companies.
CIC, a leading venture capital firm, has committed at least £100m to invest in spinouts from the University of Cambridge. This commitment is part of the launch of Fund III, CIC's latest £250 million early-stage venture fund focused on the Cambridge ecosystem. Companies created within the EIR programme can access this new funding.
The EIR programme will provide experienced deep tech and life sciences executives to work with academics and researchers at the University. These EIRs bring entrepreneurial expertise, many having already achieved significant exits, to accelerate the path towards viable commercial ventures based on university research. The programme operates as a rolling cohort with up to six EIRs at a time, providing mentorship and hands-on support to academic founders as they transition from research to forming startups.
The University of Cambridge generates £23 billion in economic interest linked to research and commercialization each year. The new EIR programme is aimed at supporting the UK's economic growth by developing the next generation of world-class companies.
The University of Cambridge is also making significant strides in physical infrastructure. It has a new Innovation Hub in central Cambridge to host spinouts, startups, and entrepreneurs. Additionally, plans for four million sq. ft of high-tech development at Cambridge West are underway.
The University's determination to do more and faster is evident in its recent achievements. In 2024, it created more spinout companies than any other university. Furthermore, the University of Cambridge has produced the most unicorns of any European ecosystem.
The EIR programme will maintain a rolling cohort of up to six EIRs, with the aim of increasing the number of quality spinouts and accelerating the path towards viable commercialization of the technology. Partners like Cambridge Innovation Capital are working with the University of Cambridge to achieve these goals.
Andrew Williamson, Managing Partner of CIC, has announced the new EIR programme will provide academics and researchers at the University of Cambridge with access to £100 million in funding for spinouts. The Technology Investment Fund (TIF), a new proof of concept fund launched by the University of Cambridge, and the Founders programme, which supports new company creation, are also part of these initiatives.
The funding seeks to take advantage of the vast commercial potential in science and technology innovation developed by Cambridge researchers. The new EIR programme is an expansion of CIC's partnership with the University of Cambridge, offering unique access to its academics and research. The programme acts as a crucial bridge linking deep scientific innovation with the practical business expertise required to create successful startup companies from university-developed technologies.
- The new Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) programme at the University of Cambridge, in partnership with Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC), aims to accelerate the commercialization of deep tech and life sciences by providing experienced executives who bring entrepreneurial expertise to academics and researchers, ultimately supporting the development of the next generation of world-class companies in education-and-self-development.
- As part of the University of Cambridge's initiatives to support the commercialization of its research and innovation, the Technology Investment Fund (TIF) and the Founders programme, in addition to the £100 million in funding for spinouts provided by CIC's new EIR programme, are key components aimed at harnessing the vast commercial potential in science and technology and bridging the gap between deep scientific innovation and practical business expertise for the purpose of creating successful startup companies, thereby enhancing technology and education-and-self-development.
